Primarily used to load and unload railcars through open domes in installations where the cars can be accurately spotted. The single arm configuration can also be used for tank truck applications. Some allowance for mis-spotting is possible with the single arm and increases as the diameter of the hatch opening increases. This simple arm incorporates only three swivel planes of rotation and is designed for use in top loading installations where the vehicle is located at a fixed distance from the riser pipe. The two swivel planes at the inlet permit both up-and-down and side-to-side movement of the assembly, and the third swivel plane allows the drop pipe to remain vertical. Valves can be located inboard or outboard to facilitate loading. With a valve located outboard, drippage of viscous products after loading can be minimized. The single arm loader is adaptable to tight fill or closed system loading when equipped with additional swivel planes of rotation and/or drop hose, along with required outboard coupling, union or fitting.

Benefits:
• Adaptable to tight-fill or closed system loading when
equipped with additional swivel planes of rotation and/or drop
hose; along with required outboard coupling, union or fitting
• Rail or truck applications
• Smooth, easy operation

Features:
• Available in 2", 3" and 4"
• Available in carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum
and special alloys
• Choice of flanged, threaded or all-welded construction

Commonly used to handle high flow rates and withstand rough usage in tank truck loading applications, the scissor arm is also an excellent choice for railcar loading installations where cars are frequently mis-spotted. This versatile arm is designed specifically for top loading installations where a variable operating range is required. The secondary arm rotates 360 degrees in the horizontal plane, providing a spotting allowance of up to twice its length. Note: The scissor arm configuration is not recommended in 6” size in all steel or stainless steel due to the difficulties an operator would have handling the heavy outboard components.

Benefits:
• Ideal for applications where spotting the vehicle is variable
• Adaptable to tight-fill or closed system loading when equipped
with additional swivel planes of rotation and/or drop hose;
along with required outboard coupling, union or fitting.

Features:
• Available in 2", 3" and 4"
• Available in carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum
• Choice of flanged, threaded or all-welded construction

The unsupported boom arm is an excellent alternative for variable reach applications, especially in larger sizes where the outboard components are relatively heavy. It can be modified for closed system loading and unloading, and is available in various design configurations to meet the needs of virtually any installation. This popular style loader is designed for those installations where it is undesirable or impractical to mount a supported boom arm. For example, many railcar sites have no support columns or overhead structures to which a supported boom can be attached. The unsupported boom arm offers the same advantages as the supported boom arm, but maximum reach is somewhat less. It provides good flexibility for mis-spotting, and can be folded back against the rack for convenient, compact storage. When necessary, increasing the size of the base joint or using a heavy-duty split flange swivel at the inlet can extend total reach.

Benefits:
• Optional valving allows liquid to be held in the line
• Long reach compensates for mis-spotting
• Compact storage

Features:
• Available in 2", 3" and 4"
• Available in carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum and specialty alloys
• Choice of flanged, threaded or all-welded construction

This style arm provides dependable, low maintenance service in high usage installations. Due to the boom-mounted design, no heavy loads are placed on the swivel components so wear is minimized. In simplest terms, the supported boom arm loader consists of a single-arm loader mounted on a swiveling boom that is attached to a permanent structure with either a pillow block or flange bearing for added strength and support. This configuration provides maximum flexibility for mis-spotting and longer reaches from the loading rack to the railcar or tank truck. Both the boom and the arm can be folded back against the rack for convenient, compact storage away from the traffic flow. A variety of boom designs and configurations are available to meet the needs of virtually any installation. Used for tank truck and railcar open dome loading, supported boom arms can be modified for closed system loading and unloading. Optional valves, such as dry disconnect, ball, butterfly or loading, can be used because of the boom support.

Benefits:
• Long reach
• Design flexibility means it can be used for any application
• Folded back on itself, it can be easily stored
• Optional valve and remote

Features:
• Available in 2", 3" and 4"
• Available in carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum and specialty alloys
• Choice of flanged, threaded or all-welded construction

OPW By-Pass Loading Arms are designed as a low-cost alternative to arms constructed of Hastelloy®, Alloy 20®, and other specialty metals used to transfer hydrochloric acid and other corrosive chemicals.

• All the ease of operation and handling advantages of conventional spring
balance loaders
• Liquid by-pass of steel swivel – no liquid passes through the base swivel
• Base swivel, in conjunction with torsion spring serves as a support and
carrying mechanism only
• Flow passage – consists of lined pipe, plastic pipe, and a hose suspended
from the support arm
• Available in 2", 3", and 4" sizes in a variety of configurations

OPW Wash Arms eliminate the chore of manually carrying cumbersome, heavy hose and spray attachments to the rail car or tanker.

• Completely supports all other washing system components
• Folds into a conveniently stored position, out of the way of normal operations

The OPW 1000-RC remote control unit provides convenient control of the loading valve from the outboard end of the loading arm. The 1000-RC consists of an arm clamp, lever handle and connection rod. Available for all OPW Type A, B, C, and E liquid loaders.

• Deadman loading valve with remote control operating lever and outlet
deflector

• Remote Control Unit (1000-RC)

OPW Engineered Systems top and bottom loaders can be fully or partially jacketed/traced for efficient handling of asphalt, molten sulfur, waxes, resins, and other products that are highly viscous or tend to solidify at ambient temperatures. OPW steam jacketed loading arms incorporate a “pipe in a pipe” design and are used to handle products that need to be transferred at elevated temperatures. The inner pipe conveys the product being handled, while the outer pipe or jacket contains the steam. With these arms, the product can be heated very quickly and uniformly. In some cases, customers specify the use of heat transfer fluids. The same principles apply in terms of loading arm design. We also manufacture, for less demanding applications, hollow core steam trace elements that are clamped and bonded to the straight sections of piping on the loading arm.

Benefits:
• Rugged construction
• Custom made to your specifications
• Durable for many years of service life

Features:
• Assemblies are supplied with all necessary steam jumper hoses
• Threaded, flanged, and welded constructions are available
• Available in 2", 3", 4" and 6" sizes
• Available in steel, stainless steel, and aluminum

Virtually any OPW Engineered Systems top loader can be equipped with an automatic shut-off feature to help prevent spillage and overfills that can result when working with a remote valve. The automatic shut-off feature allows an operator to load using multiple arms to make the loading operation more efficient and safer. Both electrical and pneumatically operated shut-off systems are available. An adjustable level sensor mounted on the drop tube or vapor recovery plate works in conjunction with an actuated valve to stop flow when the predetermined fill level is reached. Electrical systems with multiple sensing points can be used to trigger a number of actions such as closing a valve, slowing down a pump, or sounding an alarm.

Benefits:
• Provides for a faster, safer loading operation
• Allows for loading with more than one arm at a time without compromising safety
• Prevents overfills
• Safe controlled filling
• Signals the operator or shuts down the system
• Prevents spillage

Features:
• Electrical or pneumatic instruments available
• Adjustable lever sensor detects changes in liquid levels to stop flow at
predetermined levels
• Can be configured to activate valves or alarms