Tank Designs

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I have decided to post some information about the different styles of tanks we manufacture at Truck Works Inc. This is only information on the tank itself, not other features or plumbing related to the C, B, and A Style units, which also differ to improve quality as you upgrade through the styles. You can now also see these posts on our website at truckworksinc.com/newsfeed

We Produce (4) Four different style tanks, some of which are more suited to certain products, or applications than others. At Truck Works, we offer most styles for some products, and do not offer certain styles for some applications as we don't feel the design is appropriate for the application. Some applications we offer multiple styles however recommend a particular version best suited for its application for various reasons, excluding Vacuum Tanks, as for engineering reasons none of the following versions would be suitable. For more Information on our recommendations, please contact us directly. The following describes each style of tank and its basic features, as well as its most common applications, and our recommended versions. As you go up in grades of tanks, no features are eliminated, features are just added to progressively increase the quality.

1. C - Style "Commercial Grade"

The C-Style is our entry level, or "Commercial" grade tank version. These grade of tanks are typically seen and used in the rental markets, because of the low cost, and expected replacement of the unit at between 2 and 3 years. It incorporates basic construction techniques, not as time consuming as higher grades of tanks, requiring less fabrication time, and less expensive materials. This results in a less expensive tank that is equivalent to other manufacturers of "price competitive" tanks. These tanks are typically manufactured of 10 gauge or less steel materials, and the tank heads are welded only on the exterior. Baffles are welded in with angle iron pieces welded directly to the tank shell, and the baffle, and a flat straight transverse baffle is attached. A Z-shaped sub-frame is used supporting the tank with only a single material thickness vertical support with end caps, and inner bolsters adding vertical support from the truck frame to the tank. All of these features result in the most economical tank at the time of purchase. We at Truck Works Inc only offer this version, as a "price competitive" version to other manufacturers, and would ask that you speak with us, or investigate for yourself so you can make sure this version will meet your expectations and requirements. Regardless if you choose to buy from Truck Works Inc or another manufacturer, we want you to be informed of the ROI (return on investment) of your purchase, and ensure your purchase meets your expectations.

Pros - Cost (least expensive)

Cons - Welds are only on one side. No appurtenance pads to prevent cracks. Material thinner, will rust through in less time.

Recommend for - Water Tanks only. The potential for leaks for any other application, to us this would preclude its use for any other applications, for environmental reasons. Truck Works Inc will not sell these for any other applications for this reason. Water leaking from a tank, has far less environmental impact (in most instances) than other transported products.

2. B - Style "Heavy Duty"

This tank style without investigating more closely looks the same as the C-style. However it uses 3/16" materials, and has more time spent in performing the fabrication. Between these two factors, the reliability and life expectancy are increased. We developed this style tank to be equivalent to the majority of our competitors, with a few features we felt would improve it over competitors tanks, while increasing costs minimally. Many competitors weld the baffle clips (baffle attaching devices) directly to the shell (as we do in our C-style). In our B-Style, the baffles attach to a purt pad (appurtenance pad) that is welded to the tank shell. This is in case the baffle should come loose and stress the baffle clips they will typically pull the weld on the purt pad loose. If they had been welded directly to the shell, they would most likely cause a leak in the tank when this weld is torn. Some competitors, only weld the outside of the tank heads, we weld both the inside and outside of each tank head to the shell. Each of the tanks sub-frames are a u-shaped with end caps on each end connecting both sub-frames. This means each sub-frame is welded to the tank shell in two locations, improving the weight transfer to the chassis frame, and improving the tanks stability as mounted to the chassis. Through development of our B-style tank we now use a single row of longitudinal baffles. We originally used a longitudinal 3/4" round bar to connect the heads and baffles, and changed to a fabricated long baffle to improve the longitudinal structure. We feel these features make or B-Style unit comparable and competitive in the market place to the majority of tank manufacturers. Again we would ask that you speak with us, or investigate for yourself so you can make sure this version will meet your expectations and requirements.

Pros - Improvements in design and structure over lower cost units, increasing life expectancy and reliability.

Cons - I would really say there are any cons to this style as it is comparable or better than 99% of other tanks available, with Truck Works Inc A-Style being the only tank I am aware of being an improvement.

Recommended for - Water Tanks, Diesel Fuel Tanks, Waste Oil Tanks, & Fire Tender Tanks.

3. A - Style Tanks "Severe Duty"

The A-Style tank is actually in a class all by itself, as no one else builds one like it. Incorporating features and improvements over all Truck Works Inc designs, the A-Style design was designed by Truck Works Inc President and CEO Colin Dickinson. He had an idea to improve and prevent baffles from being able to come loose and fall down in the tank, and that is where the design started. It turned out to have other benefits, and developed into the entire tank design incorporating the best features of competitors tanks, along with his ingenious "inset break design" to create the best tank design available. With over 100 A-Style tanks in the field being as old as seven plus years, we have yet to see a failure in this design of tank. Other feature improvements in this tank design, are a full length belly plate. The belly plate doubles the thickness of the bottom of the tank, and acts as an appurtenance pad for the sub-frames. The rear tank ladder also serves as the hydrant fill for the tank, made from 1-1/2" pipe on each side, merging to a 2-1/2" fill pipe to the man way opening in the top of the tank. The baffle is also welded 100% on both sides to the tank shell, while incorporating the "inset break design" which prevents the baffle from falling out even if the welds were to break(which we have yet to see happen). The "inset break design" acts as a vertical support, preventing a "pop can effect". This is where the baffle (or heads) move at the center, slowly deteriorating the welds, eventually breaking the weld. It also provides structural support from the chassis frame through the sub-frames, and top of the tank. We have a few contacts and pictures of this design preventing the tank from collapsing (saving a drivers life in rollovers), if you would be interested in a non-employees views on this design.

Pros - Further improvements over any other tank design, "The Best".

Cons - None

Highly recommended for - Water Tanks, Diesel Fuel Tanks, Waste Oil Tanks, & Fire Tender Tanks.

4. HDG - Style Tanks

While incorporating design features from both, A, and B Style tanks, Truck Works Inc had to develop this tank on its own also. During R&D on the Patent Pending design, we found we had to modify items in order to make the Hot Dip Galvanizing process work without causing distortion, and damage to the tank. The incorporated A, and B features had to be modified to work. All of the design differences and benefits can be found within our patent application. Anyone wishing to discuss royalty contracts for this process are welcomed to contact us for negotiations. Please see my previous news blog for more information on HDG Tanks.

Pros - Increased tank life within specifications of product. (see previous post)

Cons - Limitations of product to be transported. (see previous post, and American Galvanizers Association)

Recommended - Water Trucks, & Fire Tenders. Diesel fuel & Waste oil will most likely be outside of acceptable range to prevent degradation of zinc coating. This does not mean it is not useful for these products, just that the coating will wear faster, and will decrease the life expectancy. So if you are looking for it to last 50 years it will not, however it still acts as a protective coating to degrade before the steel will begin to wear. Further investigation of wear rates, and product absorption percentage is still being researched and evaluated. Information will be posted as it is found regarding this.


Now for post information overload! What does all this mean to anyone reading this? I hope I have provided information on why we manufacture different styles of tanks. To use in comparison to all the other manufacturers out there, many of which will incorporate features of Truck Works Inc various styles of tanks. We have tried to develop our tanks to use features best for the various purpose and price points, in order to provide the most options from one manufacturer. We are an OEM manufacturer, with in house fabrication capabilities, so if you want to have a tank built with features from various styles, as you feel that is what you want, we can of course accommodate that also. As well as building what you want, we can design it specifically for you, and offer it to no one else if requested (private label agreement). Being a young company (only 12 years old now), we believe we are providing options many other manufacturers aren't which we believe will build Truck Works Inc to become the market leader in our industry. This post only covers the products that use various tank styles, and we manufacture products that do not currently have variations also, if you have another type of product you would like built to your specifications, please contact us so we may discuss it with you, we are constantly investigating potential design improvements, and options.

Once again, if you have made it this far, I sincerely appreciate your interest, and welcome your comments and requests for future posts.

Robert Mundell
Vice-President
Truck Works Inc
http://www.truckworksinc.com/