Bed Liners

[Eric ELM]

This was brought up last year on the old forum and with all the new guys we now have, I thought it was worth mentioning again.<p>Sliding a gas can across a bed liner can cause static electricity, which in turn can cause a spark to ignite gas. The safest way to fill a can is to take it out of the bed of your truck and place it on the ground. I still touch the can with one had while holding the nozzle in the other hand to make sure when I touch the nozzle to the can, I won't have a spark. This procedure gets rid of static electricity. Gas is dangerous and I just wanted you new guys to be aware of this and refresh the older posters memory on this subject. I know a guy that got burned with gas and it's not a pretty site.<p>I also saw a guy that works at Lesco last summer that got burned by gas just working on a mower. It was caused by static electricity. Both arms and his face was all messed up. I'm just trying to help you guys. I know you say, it only happens to others, but it can happen to you. BE SAFE GUYS. Once this season gets rolling, we don't have time to be in hospitals.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.townserver.com/elm/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[paul]

Good point Eric, That is one reason that plastic fuel cans should not be used! <p>----------<br>paul<br>

[thelawnguy]

It'll happen with metal too. Dont fall into a false sense of security. <p>Bill

[paul]

With the proper metal saftey can, the one with the internal type closeure and spark arestor screen you should not have a problem.<br><p>----------<br>paul<br>

[CA Enterprises]

Paul,<p>What kind of can are talking about? I don't think I have seen a can with flame arrestor before. Where do you get one and what is the price? Say for 5 or 10 gallon can? How do they work? Anything special to it?<br>I have been using plastic just because they are cheaper. Yes always remove them from the vehicle when fueling and I am the one that gets the fuel because I don't want to pay higher workers comp!!!!!!!<p><p>----------<br>Adam<br>Clovis, NM

[paul]

They are called type II safety cans <br>They will be UL and ULC listed and FM approved.<br>Cost for a 5 gallon can about $50<p>----------<br>paul<br>

[CA Enterprises]

Thanks Paul,<p>I had never thought that the ones I was using wasn't good enough. They all say they are rated for fuel storage.<p>I'll certainly check into it. I don't want the OSHA to find the ones I have now. I have always tried to keep the proper equipment. More Money, More Money!!!!#$@$$##<br><p>----------<br>Adam<br>Clovis, NM

[fireball]

Thank you Eric for your insight. I'll add my two cents worth but I see more guys get in trouble over gas cans than anything. If you guys ever read the wage and hour standard that is posted where employees can see it in a firm that is trying to do a good job, you will see who is covered under OSHA and who is not. Now for the firms that have to comply, they need the metals cans with the safety caps, and spark arrestors. They are available at Lesco for 36.00 for 5 gallons. Now here comes the wrinkle. Anything over 2 litres is Haz Mat. US DOT specifies that gas must be transported in a container with rollover protection device(this is a guard welded to the tank that prevents the nozzel from being sheared off in a collision)Yes, gas cans become naplam bombs when you rear end someone going 40 mph. the cheapest these gas tanks are 179.00 for a five gallon can. Now in order to be tagged with this violation on a truck inspection is you have to be driving a 10,000GVW truck or larger within 6 miles of an interstate highway. Most truck inspectors will look the other way if they see you have the safety cans and they are in a secure area on your vechile(most guys put them in large milk crates which are fastened to the trailer or truck. Most of them realize that 180.00 for a gas can is too much for the little guy. Of course, if you are a as_hole or if the whole rig doesn't present itself good, they will provide you with all the paperwork and fines that you can handle.

[HOMER]

Now I'm confused! I use the plastic gas cans and they normally ride in the back of the truck. From what I'm reading this is totally illegal right? I have a plastic tool box mounted to the tongue of my trailer. Would this be an acceptable place to start storing all of my gas? If it did fall over it would be in its own safety container. As far as static electricity is concerned, are you saying that when you go to the gas station to fill your cans the plastic will create static electricity when slid across the bedliner? The metal nozzle on the gas pump is contacting the plastic jug, will that cause a spark??? I need educating quick I guess. This is the way I've always done it and I'll consiser myself lucky since I've never had a problem, but I will also make some changes to make sure nothing does. How about putting a rubber mat under the gas containers. I picked one up at one of my restaurants the other day that was being thrown away. Its one they use in the kitchen so they won't slip.<p>Homer

[paul]

Homer,<br>The problem is the plastic can sliding on the plastic or rubber bed liner, it can create static electricity maybe leading to a spark. The best thing to do is to use the safety cans. and fill them on the ground.<br>Good tip have a 10 or 20 pound fire extinguisher mounted on the truck, not inside the cab, easily reached and close to where you fill the mowers<p>----------<br>paul<br>

[bdemir]

I didnt read all this but i always put the cans on the ground and then stnd back while i touch the tip of the nozzle to the can. Long as you stand aside and keep you rarm reached out and be ready to jump that would help if you dont have a safer fuel can yet. I never lean over my cans this is asking for trouble even if you have safe containers. Gas should be handled with care.

[southside]

You should also be careful not to spill any<br>fuel near mower or trimmer exhausts.I've<br>seen a lot of mowers and trimmers go up in<br>smoke.:)

[Gene $immons]

I just bought a fire extingusher a few weeks ago in cast there is ever an emergency. I have been carrying it in the truck cab. but would like to have it attached to the trailer. My question is: will the extingusher become too hot or get rattled around too much if attached to the trailer? Is there some sort of heat limit? It gets real hot here in Oklahoma and I was concerned about the tank getting ruined if stored this way.

[Itsgottobegreen]

Dame were is my dad when I need him. He is a fire protection engineer. So he could explain this really easily.

I have 4-5gallon(gasoline) and 2-1gallon(MIX) metal safety cans with the spark arrestors. I plan to buy two diesel 5 gallon safety cans for the kubota. Currently have plastic ones, which came with the tractor.

What ever you do. Make sure to place the can on the ground before you fill it. Never in the back of the truck or trailer.

[Green Care]

Just see brickman the other day had a fire ex attached to a 60in wb.

[Turf Medic]

Good idea to have fire extinguisher mounted on your equipment. In the cab of the truck is fine unless you accidentally lock the truck. Best to mount it in the truck bed and one on the trailer, and one on each piece of equipment. Kind of funny that some of the equipment manufacturers haven't done this. Even if your insurance will cover your machine if it catches on fire, and no one gets hurt, it sure would be embarrassing to see one of your customers yards with a big burn spot in the middle of it.