Plastic tank repair

carl reitnauer · May 22, 2015

We get and reuse the 275 gallon tanks that are in metal cages. The were used for liquid fertilizer.They now are cutting a 2.5 inch hole in them with a hole saw. How can we repair this? Is there a glue/bonding agent that will last on this thin plastic? Would the heat gun used on car bumpers work? Frequently we have motor oil in them and don't need a disaster!

johnpop1 · May 22, 2015

you can buy a plastic welder....this is essentially a heat gun with hot air being directed towards the area to be welded...you weld the plastic just like you would TIG weld....you can probably find them at McMaster Carr. this would be the same technology uesed when putting plastic fittings in a plastic tank...it will take a little practice with the weld torch and the weld rod..

ohiojim · May 22, 2015

depending on where the hole is could you put one of the add on spigots in the hole

Dick2 · May 22, 2015

Harbor Freight sells a plastic welder - don't know anything about it though. With some "farmer engineering", you should be able to come up with a way to close up that hole.

Two Dogs · May 22, 2015

I have patched such things with a piece of thin galvanized metal. A little silicon, a few pop rivets or small bolts with fender washers on the plastic side and back in business. TDF

bill b va · May 22, 2015

you could buy a 3 inch hole saw and saw out 3 inch washers of wood , metal, plastic .ect.and put 1 inside and 1 out side with a gasket all held in place with a bolt to seal it .

ss55 · May 22, 2015

If you identify what material the tank is made of?

Meangreen · May 22, 2015

I have a buddy that does plastic work as his business and he does plastic welding. I have done it also and it is different than metal welding. Somewhat the same concept, but a lot slower. Will fix it like new if you have a good welder.

hd6gtom · May 22, 2015

Local NAPA store keeps a product to fix plastic tanks. We had a 1200 gal tank slide over against a trailer tire, rubbed an hole in tank, patched it with this stuff 15 years ago. still holding-- can hardly tell that it had a hole in it.

farmalldanny · May 22, 2015

use a banjo fitting with a plug

GordoSD · May 22, 2015

Stop by any fab shop and get a piece of scrap stainless, about 4.5 inches square. Drill holes on all four sides. Use good quality adhesive liberally on it and screw it onto the tank. I did my round tank 7 years ago and it hasn't leaked a drop. The dealer where I bought it said it was impossible to repair.
This is about 10x5..$8 parts and 1.5 hours.

Billy Shafer · May 22, 2015

I have filled many liquid feed feeders. With that patch on it. Works very well.

37chief · May 22, 2015

The tanks are most likely made of polypropylene. Nothing sticks to it for any length of time. I think the best repair is installing a patch like the one pictured. It can also can be welded with a hot air gun fairly easy with a little practice. Stan

Indiana Ken · May 22, 2015

TSC, Rural King etc. sell fittings for plastic tanks. You drill a hole in the tank then insert the fitting from the inside. There is a rubber gasket that seals the inside when you tighen down on the nut which goes on the outside.

I just bought two for my sprayer tank they fit 2.25" holes however they also sell bigger ones. I use one for an inlet to the pump and the other is used for draining/clean out of the tank. I installed a threaded plug in the drain fitting to seal it.

JD Seller · May 22, 2015

Carl where are you located??? I can easily get you good tanks. We have trouble with bad cages and have extra tanks.

GordoSD · May 23, 2015

You gonna drop a monkey in the tank to start the nut? LOL Good idea but
use stainless screws as in my photo

GordoSD · May 23, 2015

I had the fab shop run it through the bender about three times and we had the curvature of the tank matched.

Plastic tank repair

carl reitnauer

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johnpop1

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ohiojim

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Dick2

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Two Dogs

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bill b va

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ss55

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Meangreen

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hd6gtom

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farmalldanny

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GordoSD

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Billy Shafer

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37chief

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Indiana Ken

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JD Seller

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GordoSD

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GordoSD

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