Bought a Tank - Got Questions

[Subseven]

I got to go pick up my used setup I purchased. I sent my brother to check it out and buy it for me because he was in the area.

Anyways. It's a 550 gallon tank with hand agitation. The Hydraulic pump and motor to make it Hydraulic Agitation comes with it. He said everything I need to make that happen is there. Also included was a broom box, brooms/squeegees, hot tar crack sealer setup, and a 275 gallon poly tote tank. I will be going to pick up the stuff in the next few days and want to get it ready ASAP.

The guy says there is about 50 gallons of old tar based sealer still in it left over from last year. So it sat up here in NY all winter with that sealer in it. He said hot water and a little scrubbing will clean it out easily. I am not sure if this is true or not but figured I'd ask here.


What will be the easiest way to clean out that old sealer? The temps are rising and the season is getting real close.

[JFGauvreau]

There is 50 gallons left in the 550 gallons tank? What sealer is it? A.E or coal tar?

Usually most sealers are good to be in a tank all winter long, as long they are filled up to the top. But with only 50 gallons left in the tank, that means the rest is full of air, which could result in drying up the sealer.

[Subseven]

Yep...so if it's cold enough...maybe I can chip it out?

[JFGauvreau]

I would check it out first see what you are working with, open the lid and check it out with a flash light, not a lighter lol. Maybe you'll be able to mix the sealer with varsol and get away with it. It's just a lot of hassle to clean a tank lol

[Field King]

I had a 550 gallon tank once that sat for few years with 20 or so gallons in it, dried hard, could not hand turn the agitator, I fit thru the manway and hand chipped and scraped for hours, came out real clean with lots of muscle work, good luck!

[Subseven]

Alright. I get sown there and the 5 HP Briggs was MISSING! :realmad:

So I picked up the tank, the hydraulic unit, the broom box, and the brooms/squeegees. I am awaiting the guys call back on the Briggs.

I got the tank in the garage and started cleaning it. There was about a gallon or 2 of water and everything else seems mostly dry and flaky. It breaks apart easy and can be shop vacced out. I already took out 2 pails. It's mostly in the back now because we had to stand it on end to get it on the trailer.

The manhole is made of an old 55 gallon drum top and I want to cut it out and make a rectangle manhole with a hinged lid. What I want to know is this...is it okay for me to take my angle grinder and cut out my rectangle and weld my new manhole setup on? I don't want to start grinding and have something explode.

I might just clean/paint/new manhole/hook up the hydraulic agitation and sell the whole setup because I just got offered another deal I want to take. Not sure if I can spring up the extra coin though. Not sure what it would be worth though.

Here are some photos:

[JFGauvreau]

Is that a 10 gal melter your fixing in the 1st pic?

Why do you want to make it rectangular in the 1st place?

I wouldn't use a grinder until the tank is completely empty.

But the manufactures would tell you not to use a grinder even if the tank is empty.

[PROCUT1]

If it had coal tar or AE I dont see the problem with a grinder. Only the gypsy seal stuff is flammable.

[Subseven]

Been in the garage since last post. Calling it the day.

The Dewalt angle grinder and cutting blades worked well. I cut out a good size rectangle to build the new MAN hole over. This way, cleaning and access is easier for us bigger guys. I am even thinking about double door hinged lids that can lock together as one. The tank is now empty. Tomorrow I will finish up the scraping inside and out. Then hopefully get a coat of paint on it.

As far as the hot tar melter...it came with the package. It looks to be about 10-15 gallons. I suppose I will have to make it have a good base, some casters, a handle, and room for a propane tank I am guessing. Any advice is appreciated.

[Striper1263]

Make sure that you make some gaskets for the lid you're making. Sealer will be all over the tank if you don't.
We use truck mud flaps. Cut it to size but make sure it's a little bit larger than you need. You want it to seal all around the edges so the lid iso hard to close.
I hate sealer being all over the side of our tanks.

Good Luck this year.

Doug

[JFGauvreau]

Ya the 10 gal melter is missing a bit, mainly 3 wheels, the handle, and the deck behind it to hold the propane tank. Just look on google for a 10 gal melter and you will see how they are made. Hopefully you are good with metal and welding. Best of luck.

[Subseven]

I am new to metal and welding, but have done a lot of it over the past few weeks. Just built a nice 14K trailer. Still got a few more things to add to it. Caught myself on fire a few times grinding. Pat it out...keep on going. Got bit by the angle grinder once on top of the knuckle and also by a rogue carriage bolt on the bench grinder. I will never build a trailer again....I think. :)

Here are some pics of all the junk out of the tank and also the trailer I am about to finish up.

[Subseven]

Just painted the tank. Need to remake lid. I have my eye on another setup I might buy if I can sell this setup. Gonna list it in the classifieds now.

[Subseven]

The Hydraulic Agitation is hooked up and running awesome. The setup we are using (especially that hydraulic pump) is a little overkill....lol. Also putting new rubber scrapers on the agitator paddles inside the tank. Will post pics tomorrow.

[Subseven]

Ran into a speed bump. Installed it all. When the engine is hooked to the pump...what little resistance the drive gives slows the engine down a hair...just enough not to start. Take the chain off...and it starts right up. The pump turns easily and provides very little...but what seems to be enough resistance to make the engine not want to start. Like it's not turning over (hand pulled recoil) fast enough or something.

Any ideas besides clutching? It's a #50 chain on a Tractor supply X-Series collar. I was thinking a smaller sprocket on the engine maybe. But the seem hard to find. I believe the hole on the weld on #50 sprocket is 1 7/8".

Still needs some cleaning up and painting.

[Subseven]

I will swap out the sprockets/collars today. Seems my bud did the sprockets backwards because he didn't have clearance under the pump shaft for the bigger one. I will make clearance. That smaller sprocket should be on the engine hands down.

[PROCUT1]

Yes

Smaller sprocket on the engine, bigger on the pump.

You probably want around a 1:4 ratio engine to pump for it to work.

Also be careful because you have it set up what looks like 1:1 and the pump does not need to spin that fast. It will put extra stress on it if you rev the engine up high,

You dont want too much extra power at the paddles. You want them to stall the pump if there is an obstruction.

Ive made the mistake in the past and had a load that the sand settled out on. I fired up the pump and chewed teeth off motors, blew lines, you name it.

[Subseven]

Yeah. I am running an 18 and a 22 now. I will see how big I can go on the pump. It's getting hard to find sprockets locally.

[Subseven]

Got a 10 tooth just need a collar to weld it to. I put the 22 on the bottom. Hopefully that will do it.

[mmdenterprises]

i much for a similar decal like yours on your tank?

[Subseven]

i much for a similar decal like yours on your tank?

Just one? Change the wording. $75

[Subseven]

Revamped the agitation setup. Added a clutch to engine, a bypass valve, and mounted everything nice. All I am waiting for now is my pump sprocket to get here on Tuesday hopefully. Been a fun process learning this stuff I admit. Went through a few different setups that didn't work...but I got it this time.

Now I will clean and prep for paint today.

[Subseven]

Couple more pics here

[Subseven]

Painted pump and framework. Going to add another topcoat to the whole tank and trailer fenders tomorrow. I am not so sure I want to sell this rig now...lol. I might put it to work next week. I think I will work it and of it sells, fine. If not...I'll just keep working it and add a spray setup when I can. Would love to find a nice flatbed dually to set it all up on.

Not sure if I will mount the broom box there or on deck.