(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

propane overfill

showcrop

showcrop

Well-known Member
Usually when getting a forklift cylinder filled I keep an eye on the kids doing it and have often had to coach them. last time I didn't until I noticed that it was taking awhile. Well it turned out they had overfilled it, thinking that it was leaking at the adapter. It weighs about seventy lbs LOL. I may have to use my loader to get it up on the back of the forklift. So should I test before putting it on to make sure that gas and not liquid comes out? let it out behind the shop until I get gas? I am aware that propane is explosive and is heavier than air so you can skip that part.
 
Usually, they just open the small valve, until vapors come out, then stop filling. The local agway often has high school kids filling tanks, its best to keep an eye on them, help and or explain things, I always mention the burn aspect if you get a blast of it on your skin, most already know, but some are new at it. Owners train them on the use of the filling station, but you can spot a new hire easily. I don't know what you would do, except, intermittently open that valve until you release enough, and of course a nice wide open area with some wind would help LOL !
 
And don't forget the "insurance police" that will have to say that your insurance won't cover that ROTFL!!!
I don't think it will hurt to use it as is. Usually, the fuel system on the forklift will handle liquid OK. As I recall, most forklift tanks are mounted to dispense liquid to the fuel system.
 
I would keep it away from a ign source as when the temp comes up she will blow the pop off valve,,, seen it happen not what I like to see is fire at a bottle!!! I agree she should run fine on liguid, although the ones I was around liked to start on vapor when its cold, I also seen a one blow when the guy dropped it into a pick up, it had been filled when it was -10, that day it was about 35 above becareful
 
I did the research and know what is full on which tanks. I bring
in empty tanks and watch the meter on how many gallons are
being installed. One thing that's funny about legislation is that a
40# cylinder (40# of Propane is full with an 80% of max volume
charge) has to have the over fill device with vent port, but a 50#
doesn't.

I have been over filled on the 50# by an inexperienced operator
also so I now take my tanks in when the company has the
experienced operator present....8-9 am.

Mark
 
I guess its liquid, it goes from clear to a visible spray, and I think the 30 lb is supposed to hold 7 gallons, and with the impco model J vaporizer on my tractor, I have to set the valve/hose at 12 o'clock in colder temps or close to it, so it does not freeze up with liquid, opposite of what that article in the link shows for the forklift.
 
I Didn't read the article, but for the energy required to run something of that size, just like a tractor, you need liquid, not vapor. Not enough BTUs in the vapor.

Mark
 
showcrop when filling a forklift propane tank you
want the bleeder valve open a little so when you
see liquid start coming out you know you are
80%full.thats when you stop filling the tank.All
liquid cooled motors on lp need a tank that
supplies liquid propane to the system.In reply to
John in la. I worked at plant in west columbia,sc
that built new TCM forklifts for 24 years,we used
small 10# grill tanks that supplied only lp gas
not liquid to the system to move the lifts around
the factory, they ran just fine just down on
power.air cooled motors running on propane need
tanks that supply only vapor to the system. I have
read that some factory lp farm tractors tell you
to start them on vapor then switch to liquid when
warmed up. I myself have two olivers running on
propane that have Impco carbs and converters that
start and run on liquid in cold weather just fine.
 
Propane engines convert the liquid propane to a gas before it goes into the engine so that is not a concern. The concern is that when a liquid is heated it expands and if it expands to fill up 100% of your bottle that could be potentially dangerous, most relief valves on propane, anhydrous, refrigerant bottles are designed to relieve gas only not liquid. If you were using your forklift in the summer outside in the blazing sun I would be worried. In the winter just use it the way it is.
 
Make sure that the safety valve is up,vapor will not spread as far as liquid if it pops off. 30# lp tanks have OPD valves, but 33#(tow motor size) are not required to have them.
 
I wouldn't take it inside without bleeding some off in a safe place. If the relief goes off and vents liquid it expands 270 times to make vapor so it can fill an area up fast. As far as running on liquid or vapor all engines except for a few liquid injected engines run on vapor. Its just that the lines and container aren't large enough to supply enough vapor so it goes as liquid to the vaporizer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

stevieb49829
Update on a couple of related things
Replies
0
Views
524
stevieb49829
stevieb49829
H
Propane to Gasoline
Replies
5
Views
469
Moonlite37
M
M-MAN
TSX sintered bronze plug solvent ideas?
Replies
7
Views
296
M-MAN
M-MAN
C
weak spark on a ford 4000 forklift
Replies
4
Views
365
Charlie M
C
O
Disk Advice
Replies
8
Views
601
Ozarkian
O
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top