Tank skid

JimS · Jan 24, 2019

I need to make a couple of tank skids for two poly, 300 gallon tanks, one round one oval. They will be used for fire protection, need to slide in and out of a pickup, or may sit on a trailer end to end and be linked together. i want to make the pumps removable so they may be stored in the off season.

What design would you use? What materials? Would you make them overhead lift, forklift, or both? Any other suggestions?

Thanks

gene bender · Jan 24, 2019

600 gal of water will weigh 4800 lbs full.

JimS · Jan 24, 2019

300 gal each, so half that. Two separate skids.

john in la · Jan 24, 2019

You could buy 2 used empty 250/300 gallon plastic totes in metal cages for less money.

RogerinIowa · Jan 24, 2019

Why not use two of the square plastic tanks in a cage and on a pallet used for farm chemicals? They can be free. Also have shutoff valves. They are 275 gallons.

showcrop · Jan 24, 2019

These are very common in the fire service. The tank is pretty much always at the front because the pump is at the back so that you can get at the motor controls and the valves. If you were going to store it dry and fill it up when you wanted to use it you could put it on and take it off easily with a fork lift. If you needed to keep it full it would have to be a big fork lift or an overhead lift. You would most likely want self-fill capability so you need a gated 2.5 inch discharge line to the tank from the pump, along with the 2.5 inch suction line from the tank to pump. In order to readily separate the pump from the rest of it you would want unions in the lines. The general design would be dictated by the shape of the tanks. The pump could be held in place between two pieces of "L" stock. You would tee off from the 2.5 inch discharge with a second 2.5 inch pipe upon which would mount a 2.5 x 1.5 gated wye. You should be able to pick these up from your fire dept because every truck carries two and they get replaced every 10-20 years whether they get used or not.

JimS · Jan 24, 2019

Because I already have the 2, 300 gallon tanks.

rustyfarmall · Jan 24, 2019

I will suggest using pressure treated 4x4s and 2x6s, and some steel banding.

Apache_58 · Jan 24, 2019

What we did is take an old Toyota 4x4 and dedicated it to firefighting. Usually there is very little time available between when you first see a fire and when it’s too big to stop. Not much time for loading tanks, hooking up pumps, filling with water, etc.

Doug-Iowa · Jan 24, 2019

We build our own for the VFD. We use a 3-5HP gas powered pump and two 1" garden hoses on a 200 gallon tank. Simple sprayer type plumbing with hose clamps. 3" channel front to back with 2x2 square tube across between. One 2x2 tube has a 3" piece of pipe welded on one side, it drops over the 5th wheel ball to control moment front to back. Space your 3" channels to allow a short block drop in along side each wheel well to control twisting movement side to side. Use 2" or 3" flat stock from 3" channels bend up and over top of tank to hold it to skid. Weld a loop on the top of this band to lift EMPTY tank and pump assy in and out of truck. Put a 2" dump valve so no one is tempted to lift it full. Tank in front, pump in back. 2" ratchet strap across the top from the stake pockets to hold it in the truck. Remove tailgate it will just be in the way. We try to size everything so it will fit most anyone's full size pickup with a 6' bed. We loan them out to patrons in our district so they can do their own CRP burns. All put away now for winter or I'd post a picture.

VicS · Jan 24, 2019

We have a 80 gal tank in a kubota side by side. Is really a sprayer, but works for fires also. Has a 7.5 gal a minute 12 volt pump. I was in North Texas a couple years ago. Stopped for breakfast, there were a half dozen pickups with those 275 totes in back and a carwash pump. And a couple with trailers and 2 totes. They were going on.a.controled burn of wheat fields. Guys said carwash pumps worked great and the totes were free. Two guys can just toss a empty in a truck. Or use a forklift. I asked for one they gave me 3,at local fertilizer chemical place.

paul · Jan 24, 2019

I would certainly make them compatible with a forklift. Overhead would be a bonus.

Wood is easier to work with, but in 10 years might wish it was made of something else..... I?m not good working with other stuff so mine would end up made of wood.

Basically just make a pallet that everything fits on but still fits in a pickup.

Paul

JimS · Jan 24, 2019

We load the truck or trailer up whenever we have red flag warnings. I might just leave them on the trailer and it is
quick enough to hook up.

JMS/.MN · Jan 24, 2019

round/oval poly usually has a steel saddle, about 12 ga, 1/8 inch thick. Then I"d use formed steel to fit pallet forks.

Apache_58 · Jan 24, 2019

Doug, sounds like you provide a good service.
In the Toyota, I plumbed my pump up so it has an inch and half Gated Wye valve that sticks up high enough that it points over the tailgate and directly perpendicular to the bed. We attach a spray nozzle, crack the valve and drive along the edge of a grass fire. You can really wet down a large area with just 210 gallons of water.

Apache_58 · Jan 24, 2019

We have inch and half hose, inch hose and a bunch of the lay flat three quarter hose.

Lots of different ways to hook things up. Tailgate serves to keep from loosing the milk crates of goodies.

These sprayers have been the most useful when fighting fire. I’ve used mine on 5 fires so far.

Apache_58 · Jan 24, 2019

These are very useful as well. The hand wand will really spray a pretty long distance and lasts longer than the 5 gallon backpack pumps.

SDMike · Jan 25, 2019

Jims, I would use a plastic pallet as a base. I would then make a cradle out of stainless steel or aluminum, with straps to hold them down made from stainless. Unless this is only a temporary thing. Then, just a regular pallet, wood for cradles some ratchet straps. Best of luck.

Mike

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