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    Handling Tips for Stainless Steel Totes

    Stainless steel totes are a cost-efficient option for handling, storing and shipping liquids. One of the best ways to maintain those cost efficiencies and protect your IBC investment is through the proper handling and care of your stainless steel totes.

    Proper handling also protects the product inside the IBCs and increases your value to your end customer. The better the totes look, the more perceived value they have.

    Stainless Steel Totes

    IBC Handling Outline

    The list below clearly outlines the proper handling steps for any stainless steel IBC or tote.

    Moving Totes

    1. Bottom lifting with a forklift

      If so equipped, engage the forks of the fork lift fully under the bottom of the tote or in the fork tube channels. Once the forks are fully engaged under the tote, you can lift and move the tote per your standard procedures.

      Do not attempt to enter or lift from the side of any stainless steel tote tanks bearing the “No Forks This Side” decal.

    2. Top lifting with an overhead hoist

      Determine if the tote has top lift lifting lugs. If there are lugs at the four corners but the lugs do not have holes, they are not to be used for lifting. Attach your lifting device to all four lifting lugs through either the 1½” diameter hole or the tear drop-shaped opening of the lug. Once the load is securely attached and evenly distributed on the lifting lugs, you can lift and move the tote per your standard procedures.

    Removing the Tote's Drum Cover

    Release the pressure from the stainless steel tote tanks by slowly opening the bung and allowing all pressure to be released. Loosen the 5/8” nut on the clamp ring bolt between the two clamp ring lugs.

    After removing the 5/8” x 5” long bolt from the clamp ring, grasp the lugs of the clamp ring and spread the clamp ring enough to disengage it from the drum neck on the stainless steel tote tanks. You can now remove the drum cover, although you may need to use a small amount of force to release the seal that often occurs between the drum cover and the gasket.

    Filling the Tote

    Make sure the valve handle is in the closed position, and the positive lock is engaged. Additionally, make sure the secondary seal is installed in the outlet end of the valve.

    Release the pressure by slowly opening the bung and allowing all pressure to be released from the tote. Once the pressure has been released, open the filling aperture. Do not remove the 2” fusible vent to use as a filling aperture. Fill the tote per your standard procedures. Be careful not to over fill.

    Installing the Tote's Drum Cover

    Check the crown on the drum neck and the groove in the drum cover to see that both are clean and free of foreign materials, and that neither is bent or damaged. Inspect the gasket for cuts, rips or tears.

    With the heavy cross section of the gasket up, apply the gasket to the opposite side of the drum neck and pull it toward you. Once the gasket is on the drum neck, the bottom of the gasket should be as far down as possible while ensuring that the gasket still covers the crown of the drum neck evenly.

    Carefully position the drum cover directly over the opening and lower it vertically onto the gasket with the centerline of the groove in the drum cover aligned with the centerline of the drum neck. With the drum cover resting on the gasket over the drum opening, ensure that the gasket has not moved or become dislodged.

    While holding the clamp ring with the flats of the clamp ring lugs facing up, start one end of the clamp ring on to the drum cover and the drum ring. Carefully work the clamp ring around the circumference of the drum cover and the drum ring, taking care not to pull or pinch the gasket during the process. Once the clamp ring is installed, check the gasket to ensure an equal quantity of gasket is showing below the clamp ring all the way around.

    Visually inspect to ensure that the clamp ring is evenly positioned around the circumference of the drum cover. Install the 5/8” x 5” bolt through the smooth bore lug on the clamp ring. Place the locking nut on the bolt between the lugs. Turn the bolt by hand two or three turns into the threaded lug of the clamp ring.

    Slowly tighten the clamp ring bolt until you feel resistance as the clamp ring is pulling the drum cover down on to the drum neck. Tighten the clamp ring to 30 F/P of torque using a hand-operated torque wrench. Tighten the locking nut snugly against the smooth bore lug.

    Discharging the Stainless Steel Tote

    Make sure the valves on all stainless steel tote tanks are in the closed position. Release the pressure by slowly opening the bung and allowing all pressure to be released from the tote. Properly vent the stainless steel tote tanks by opening a filling aperture.

    Remove the secondary seal from the outlet end of the valve. Slowly open the valve and discharge the tote.

     

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