Argon bottle Lift

[epanzella]

Just a note of caution, be sure the cap is all the way on and tight. 'I've seen a couple of bottles lifted this way and the cap let go, fortunately the valve did not hit floor. Personally I would choke a nylon sling around the bottle with a wooden wedge and lift. The wedge is to tighten the sling around the bottle.

Yeah, it's on tight and all the way home. BTW, caps coming off are usually the result of using the wrong cap.

 

[jwmelvin]

Doesn’t the force on the valve from internal pressure very much exceed the weight of the bottle?

 

[epanzella]

Doesn’t the force on the valve from internal pressure very much exceed the weight of the bottle?

The bottle is lifted by the cap and the cap is threaded onto the body of the tank. The cap is there to protect the valve. It surrounds the valve but doesn't touch it.

 

[jwmelvin]

The bottle is lifted by the cap and the cap is threaded onto the body of the tank. The cap is there to protect the valve. It surrounds the valve but doesn't touch it.

I understood your approach. Was questioning the risk of lifting from the valve. Seems negligent. (But I do understand the potential consequences of dropping a full tank.)

 

[epanzella]

I understood your approach. Was questioning the risk of lifting from the valve. Seems negligent. (But I do understand the potential consequences of dropping a full tank.)

Never heard of anyone trying to lift a bottle by the valve. You would have to be nuts. Break that valve off and you've got a 300 pound side winder missile with no off switch.

 

[tjb]

Great idea. What material did you use to make the pincers? Looks like 3/8" or so flat stock, but the profile looks factory made. Did they come from another piece of equipment or did you fabricate them?

Regards

 

[jwmelvin]

Never heard of anyone trying to lift a bottle by the valve. You would have to be nuts. Break that valve off and you've got a 300 pound side winder missile with no off switch.

It’s regular practice to carry SCUBA cylinders by the valve.

 

[epanzella]

It’s regular practice to carry SCUBA cylinders by the valve.

I don't SCUBA but a 325cf ARGON cylinder weighs over 300 pounds and is pressurized to about 3000 psi. You don't want to pick it up by the valve. My supply house will not let you on the property if you have a tank with the valve exposed. Break it off and it's an unguided missile.

 

[epanzella]

Great idea. What material did you use to make the pincers? Looks like 3/8" or so flat stock, but the profile looks factory made. Did they come from another piece of equipment or did you fabricate them?

Regards

They were left over commercial mower parts from another project. I just had to drill some holes and weld on some bolts . You're right, 3/8" flat stock.

 

[Janderso]

Hey, anything helps. I have the huge argon and C25 tanks. I use the bear hug metthod and Can barely lift them up to the cart.
I think next time I’ll ask one of my boys to handle it.