Top Loading Arms

A fixed reach top loading arm is primarily used in the load/unload of railcars through open domes where the cars can be spotted accurately. The single-arm configuration also can be used for tank-truck applications. There is some allowance for misspotting with the single-arm, and it increases as the diameter of the hatch opening increases. The fixed reach top loading arm encompasses three swivel planes of rotation and is designed for use where the vehicle is 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.

The third swivel plane allows the drop pipe to remain vertical. Valves can be located inboard or outboard to facilitate loading. The installation of an outboard valve can minimize drippage of viscous products after loading.

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.

Variable reach top loading arms are used for loading and unloading products into trucks, rail-cars, or totes, and are often referred to as a top scissor loading arm.  The secondary arm can rotate 360° on the horizontal plane, which allows a spotting allowance for vehicles. It also includes a spring-balanced double swivel at the base that allows for up/down and left/right movement.

Variable reach top loading arms are usually available in right hand or left hand, up feed, or down feed and horizontal feed loading configurations.

Fixed Connection Loading arms are designed for the top-loading of chemical products into road or rail tankers via a manhole. The loading arm has a long reach and is suitable for applications where the manhole cannot be accurately positioned. Robust design, high-quality swivel joints, and precise loading arm balancing make handling of these loading arms effortless.

These variants of Loading Arm are equipped with an additional swivel joint to ensure the flange connection remains horizontal when coupling to road or railcar tankers.

Scissor style loading arms are commonly used to handle high flow rates and withstand rough usage in tank-truck loading applications. The scissor arm is an excellent choice for railcar-loading installations where cars are frequently misspotted.

This Scissor style loading arm is primarily designed for top-loading installations when a variable operating range is needed. The secondary arm rotates 360 degrees in the horizontal plane, allowing for a spotting allowance of up to twice its length.

The slide sleeve type of loading arm utilizes a side sleeve assembly that telescopes in and out to adjust for the distance from the loading rack to the vehicle, and in applications where the type of vehicle varies. This durable, dependable, and cost-effective loading arm is time-tested as a practical method of locating the drop tube accurately and efficiently.

The slide sleeve is a medium-duty unit designed for flow rates up to 15 ft/sec (4.5 m/sec). Higher flow rates may tend to push the inner tube out beyond the loading point.

Vapor Recovery Loading Arms are a closed-loop top-loading vapor-recovery system designed to enhance environmental protection through zero emissions while improving worker safety and productivity.

This type of loading arm consists of two flow passage lines. One line is for the product, and the other is to recover and transfer the product vapors. While separate product and vapor arms can be installed at the loading rack, systems that incorporate the product and vapor lines into a single system are most often preferred because both connections can be moved out to the transporter, simultaneously and conveniently.

Vapor recovery loading arm systems reduce emissions and help adhere to the requirements set by EPA, OSHA, and TCEQ.

The A-frame loading arm is one of the more popular loading arm configurations, providing good flexibility, long reach, convenience, and ease of use. It adjusts for changes in the elevation or tilting of the vehicle during the loading/unloading process. The arm stores in an upright, near-vertical position. This allows it to swing around easily and be used for loading on either side of the island.

The A-frame’s compact storage also allows the arms to be installed close together, often on risers that are approximately the same height as the vehicle connection. The A-frame loading arms can also be mounted on staggered risers next to one another to achieve arm crossover for concurrent loading of multiple compartment trucks.

Commonly used for tank-truck bottom loading, A-frame arms also can be used in top-loading and unloading installations. Usually, they are equipped with a dry-disconnect coupling, union, or other tight-fill fittings.

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

• Cost-effective
• Easy operation
• Can be configured as a ‘hose handler’ to greatly improve hose loading operation
• Excellent alternative for ‘Food Grade’ applications where swivel joints cannot be used
• Liquid ‘by-passes’ inlet swivel joint, no metal wetted parts
• Available in 2”, 3” & 4” sizes

Ideally Suited for a Wide Range of Applications:

• Splash Loading Systems for Trucks or Railcars (Open Dome)
• Vapor Recovery Systems
• LPG or Ammonia Loading (Pressurized Gases)
• Steam Jacketed or Heat Traced Loading Arms
• Simple, Fixed-Reach Loading or Variable-Reach Loading for Multiple Hatches or Multiple Spotting of Railcars
• Caustic, Acidic, and Other Hazardous Chemicals
• Metered Loading Systems
• Single Vehicle or Unit Train Loading Racks

bullhorn loading arm application