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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Old propane tanks

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37 chief

09-26-2006 20:05:22




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I have a couple propane tanks I need to git rid of. They are no good. one is maybe 200 gal, and theother is maybe 75 gal. The scrap yard will not take them. The tanks been open for years. Is there a way I can cut them in half. I had a lot of small ones also I used a pick to punch holes in them, and let them sit several months, and used a torch to cut them in half. I am just a little afraid to use a torch on the large tanks, eventhough they have been empty for 20 years. I guess I could dig a hole and burry them. Any suggestions. Stan

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coflyboy

09-27-2006 09:15:47




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to 37 chief, 09-26-2006 20:05:22  
Couldn't you do some plumbing put wheels on it and use it to pick up used cooking oil at the local eateries. Free biodiesel!!!!! !!!
I'm looking at one now already mounted on wheels. He is thinking it over but will probably give it to me.
Just a thought.



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Gary in Geneva

09-27-2006 06:06:45




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to 37 chief, 09-26-2006 20:05:22  
Propane is heaver than air. We fill the tank completely full of water to purge any remaining propane gas. The next step is to drain the tank and then go after it with the cutting torch. We cut a lot of tanks for our own use and have never had a problem with remaining propane.



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Tx Jim

09-27-2006 03:25:28




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to 37 chief, 09-26-2006 20:05:22  
Alot of people cut them up as said to make giant BBQ smokers. As I understand the fumes in a lpg or gasoline tank never totally go away. You can fill with water or run hose from tailpipe of running gasoline engine. If you choose to use blue-flame be very careful as I had a neighbor that had a 55 gallon barrel blow up when he tried to cut it. Tx Jim



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Bus Driver

09-27-2006 04:21:54




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to Tx Jim, 09-27-2006 03:25:28  
Gasoline tanks do remain dangerous. Propane tanks have no danger at all once the smell has gone. Propane DOES NOT linger in the tank nor penetrate the metal. The methyl mercaptan used as the odorant vaporizes more slowly than does the propane and may remain for a while after the propane has gone. Once the smell has gone, the propane tank is just metal.



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tn terry t

09-27-2006 03:10:26




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to 37 chief, 09-26-2006 20:05:22  
i dont know how they do it but around hear you see a lot of those larger tanks cut up and made into BBQ grills ive seen 100 gal.and up set on an axle to be pulled around behind a pickup nice-nice set-up. i have made several out of cull comercial water heater tanks they will last forever and brings and bring a hefty price terry t



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Glen in TX

09-26-2006 21:59:04




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to 37 chief, 09-26-2006 20:05:22  
Getting harder to find anyone to take them but some welding shops will still steam them and cut on them to make water tanks from or diesel tanks if they are solid yet. We liked using them for cattle molasses delivery tanks on trailers.



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sid

09-26-2006 21:45:24




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to 37 chief, 09-26-2006 20:05:22  
Where you at? I might be able to take them or know of someone to take them off your hands.



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Blue3992

09-26-2006 20:43:52




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to 37 chief, 09-26-2006 20:05:22  
I had a bunch of propane tanks of various sizes. I just brought them over to the local bulk propane retailer (AmeriGas in Northern Illinois), and they took them no questions asked. I even had some propane left in manky of the tanks.



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IA Roy

09-26-2006 20:12:27




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to 37 chief, 09-26-2006 20:05:22  
You could haul it out into the middle of a field and build a bonfire under it, and if it doesn't blow it should be plenty safe to take the torch to. I have also heard of filling with CO2 from a fire extinguisher before torching, but I like the bonfire method better.



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Nebraska Cowman

09-27-2006 04:17:49




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to IA Roy, 09-26-2006 20:12:27  
Oh yeah! Bonfire. We did that with a full one when I was a boy. Made a realy neat fire for a while. (we were watching from about a half mile away)



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Ken Macfarlane

09-27-2006 07:31:32




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 09-27-2006 04:17:49  
Please don't burn them in fires, full ones every so often do something called a BLEVE. Basicly the pressure in the tank keeps it from boiling but when it bursts the liquid boils and the vapour expands rapidly causing a massive explosion. Many fire fighters have been killed from this as it throws pieces of metal long distances, more than a half mile even.

And if it doesn't blow, you have to wait a long time for it to cool off before getting near it again.

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IA Roy

09-27-2006 21:41:09




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to Ken Macfarlane, 09-27-2006 07:31:32  
If I remember from the original posting, he said it had been empty and the valve open for at least a year. The likelihood of anything happening is nearly nonexistent, but on the small chance of it going boom, it is better from a distance than with a torch in your hand. If nothing happens in a fire, then it should be very safe to torch.



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paul

09-26-2006 22:22:35




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 Re: Old propane tanks in reply to IA Roy, 09-26-2006 20:12:27  
My understanding is to fill with water, and to use dry ice to get the O2 out.

Just what I hear, I don't know nothing about it & I wouldn't mess with it myself.

--->Paul



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