Buyers Products Hopper-Mounted Poly Tanks are produced out of all-virgin, medium-density polyethylene. The material contains ultraviot (UV) inhibiting stabilizers that allows the tanks to be used for long-term outdoor storage. The tanks can be mounted to a variety of hoppers. The tanks are not intended for fuel storage, and have a recommended maximum contact operating temperature of 110?? F.
Specifications
| Height (in.) | 25.00 |
|---|---|
| Length (in.) | 69.00 |
| Material | Polyethylene |
| Mount Style | Hopper |
| Port Size (in.) | .750 |
| Tank Capacity (gal.) | 105.00 |
| Tank Shape | Wedge |
| Width (in.) | 20.00 |
The Buyers Products 105 Gallon Poly Tank represents a robust, high-capacity, and technically advanced solution for the secure and efficient containment of a diverse range of non-fuel liquids across demanding operational environments. Engineered with precision, this hopper-mounted tank delivers superior performance and extended longevity. Its construction from all-virgin, medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), intrinsically enhanced with ultraviolet (UV) inhibiting stabilizers, ensures remarkable durability and steadfast structural integrity under the most rigorous conditions, including prolonged outdoor exposure. With its substantial 105-gallon capacity, ergonomically optimized wedge shape, and precise dimensions of 69.00 in. length, 20.00 in. width, and 25.00 in. height, this tank is meticulously crafted for seamless integration into a multitude of hoppers and various industrial, agricultural, and commercial systems.
Advanced Material Science: Medium-Density Polyethylene (MDPE)
The foundational strength and resilience of this 105 Gallon Poly Tank are derived from its exclusive use of all-virgin, medium-density polyethylene. The term "all-virgin" signifies a composition entirely of newly synthesized polymer, ensuring unparalleled consistency in molecular structure, density, and purity. This directly translates to predictable and superior mechanical and chemical performance. MDPE is strategically selected for its optimal balance of rigidity, impact strength, and exceptional stress-crack resistance. Its molecular architecture features a controlled degree of branching, positioned between the highly branched low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and the more linear high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This imparts a unique combination of flexibility and toughness, enabling the tank to absorb shocks and resist impact forces prevalent in mobile or dynamic applications without compromising structural stability. Furthermore, MDPE exhibits broad-spectrum chemical resistance, effectively withstanding exposure to a wide array of acids, alkalis, salts, and many corrosive industrial and agricultural chemicals. This intrinsic chemical inertness is paramount for ensuring the long-term integrity of the tank and preventing contamination of its contents.
The rotational molding manufacturing process, typically employed for tanks of this type, further augments the inherent strengths of MDPE. This advanced technique involves heating and rotating a mold containing the polymer material, allowing it to uniformly coat the interior surfaces. The result is a seamless, one-piece construction devoid of welds, seams, or joints, which are common points of failure in tanks manufactured by other methods. The uniform wall thickness achieved through rotational molding ensures consistent load distribution and eliminates localized stress concentrations, significantly enhancing the tank's resistance to fatigue and premature failure. This method contributes to the tank's impressive durability and leak-proof performance over its extended service life, even when subjected to continuous vibrations and operational stresses typical of its intended hopper-mounted applications.
Engineered for Longevity: UV Inhibiting Stabilizers
Recognizing that many of its intended applications involve prolonged exposure to outdoor environments, the Buyers Products 105 Gallon Poly Tank incorporates advanced ultraviolet (UV) inhibiting stabilizers directly into its MDPE material matrix. Unprotected polymers, when exposed to solar UV radiation, undergo a process known as photodegradation. This process initiates the breaking of polymer chains, leading to a detrimental reduction in the material's molecular weight and a corresponding decrease in critical mechanical properties such as tensile strength, impact resistance, and elongation at break. Visually, photodegradation manifests as discoloration, chalking, embrittlement, and eventual macroscopic cracking and structural failure.
The integrated UV inhibiting stabilizers are highly effective chemical compounds that function by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering harmful UV wavelengths before they can reach and degrade the polyethylene polymer chains. This active protection ensures the tank maintains original mechanical integrity, color stability, and aesthetic appearance for significantly longer periods, even under intense solar exposure. This engineered resilience is a crucial advantage for applications where equipment is frequently stored outdoors, such as agricultural machinery, municipal road maintenance vehicles, or construction equipment. The assurance of long-term outdoor storage capability directly translates into extended operational lifespan, reduced maintenance cycles, and a lower total cost of ownership for the end-user, safeguarding the investment and ensuring uninterrupted service.
Optimized Design: Hopper Mounting and Wedge Shape
The design philosophy behind the 105 Gallon Poly Tank prioritizes functional integration and operational efficiency, particularly through its specialized hopper-mounted configuration. This design is indicative of its primary utility in systems that require direct liquid dispensing or application from a mobile or stationary hopper unit, common in industries ranging from agriculture to de-icing and industrial spraying. The distinctive wedge tank shape is not merely an aesthetic choice; it is a meticulously engineered design feature that provides significant operational benefits. This geometry is specifically optimized for superior space utilization, enabling the tank to fit snugly and efficiently into often-confined or irregularly shaped spaces on vehicle chassis, equipment decks, or within the existing structural frameworks of diverse hoppers. The tapering profile inherent to the wedge design can also facilitate more efficient fluid dynamics during emptying, especially for liquids that may settle or are prone to leaving residues. This design minimizes the potential for material hang-up or stagnant zones, ensuring maximum product recovery and simplifying the cleaning process.
The tank's ability to be "mounted to a variety of hoppers" highlights its inherent versatility and adaptability. This characteristic is invaluable for equipment manufacturers and operators who integrate fluid storage into custom-built systems or existing machinery. The robust construction of the tank, combined with thoughtful design considerations for mounting, ensures stable and secure attachment. This stability is critical to prevent shifting, damage, or dislodgement during transit or operation on uneven terrain, thereby enhancing both safety and operational reliability. With precise external dimensions of 69.00 in. length, 20.00 in. width, and 25.00 in. height, the tank's footprint optimizes its substantial 105-gallon capacity (approximately 397.5 liters or 14.04 cubic feet) within a compact form factor, maximizing host equipment space efficiency.
Connectivity and Flow: The .750 Inch Port Size
The inclusion of a .750 inch (or 3/4 inch) port size is a strategically chosen specification, ensuring broad compatibility and ease of integration within existing fluid transfer systems. This dimension represents a widely standardized diameter in industrial and agricultural plumbing, guaranteeing ready availability of compatible pumps, valves, hoses, and ancillary fittings. This standardization simplifies system assembly, maintenance, and component replacement, reducing complexity and downtime. The port itself is typically designed for robust, leak-free connections, often featuring reinforced walls and precisely molded threads to withstand the mechanical stresses of repeated attachment/detachment cycles and the vibrational loads inherent in mobile applications. The reliability of this connection point is paramount to prevent costly leaks, ensure continuous flow, and maintain the integrity of the stored liquids, thereby contributing significantly to the overall operational efficiency and safety of the system.
Critical Operational Parameters and Restrictions
Adherence to the stipulated operational parameters and explicit restrictions is non-negotiable for ensuring the safety of personnel, regulatory compliance, and the long-term integrity of the Buyers Products 105 Gallon Poly Tank. The categorical statement that the tank is "not intended for fuel storage" is a critical safety directive rooted in fundamental material science and regulatory requirements. Petroleum-based fuels, including gasoline and diesel, contain a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds. These chemical constituents can interact adversely with standard polyethylene, initiating processes such as chemical permeation, environmental stress cracking, or plasticization. Permeation is the gradual migration of fuel molecules through the tank wall, leading to loss of contents and environmental contamination. Environmental stress cracking weakens the polymer structure, leading to brittle failure. Plasticization can soften the material, compromising its structural integrity under load. Beyond material degradation, storing flammable fuels in non-compliant tanks presents severe fire and explosion hazards due to static electricity buildup, potential ignition sources, and non-compliance with stringent regulatory bodies (e.g., DOT, EPA, OSHA). Specialized fuel tanks are engineered with specific barrier technologies, antistatic additives, and robust designs to safely contain these volatile liquids, and this general-purpose poly tank does not possess these critical features.
Equally vital is the "recommended maximum contact operating temperature of 110°F (43.3°C)." This temperature limit is a direct consequence of the thermomechanical properties of medium-density polyethylene. Polyethylene, like all thermoplastic polymers, exhibits temperature-dependent mechanical characteristics. As temperature rises above this specified threshold, polymer chains gain greater molecular mobility, leading to a significant reduction in key mechanical properties like tensile strength, stiffness (modulus of elasticity), and impact resistance. The material becomes softer, more pliable, and consequently, far more susceptible to deformation under internal pressure or external loads. This can manifest as tank bulging, permanent distortion, or, in severe cases, stress cracking and catastrophic rupture, especially if the tank is full or under dynamic stress during operation. Elevated temperatures can also accelerate any potential chemical degradation if the stored liquid has even moderate reactivity with polyethylene, further compromising the tank's integrity. Strict adherence to this maximum operating temperature is essential to preserve the structural integrity and performance specifications of the tank throughout its operational lifespan, safeguarding both the stored contents and the surrounding environment from potential hazards.
Versatile Applications Across Industries
Given its robust construction, material resilience, and specialized design, the 105 Gallon Poly Tank finds utility across an expansive array of applications in diverse industries:
- Agricultural Sector: Perfectly suited for storing and precisely dispensing various agricultural inputs, including liquid fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and growth regulators. Its chemical resistance ensures compatibility with a broad spectrum of water-based agrochemicals, making it an indispensable component for crop sprayers, planters, and other field application equipment.
- Commercial and Municipal Operations: An ideal choice for containing de-icing solutions such as brine, magnesium chloride, or calcium chloride on snowplows, salt spreaders, and municipal maintenance vehicles. It enables efficient and effective road treatment in winter conditions. Additionally, it can serve as a water reservoir for pressure washing systems, dust suppression units on construction sites, or equipment washdown stations.
- Industrial Fluid Management: Capable of serving as a reliable reservoir for a variety of compatible industrial process fluids, non-potable water, and chemical solutions within manufacturing facilities. This includes applications such as parts washing, cooling systems, or temporary collection of non-hazardous compatible waste streams, ensuring a consistent and secure supply for critical operations.
- Construction and Mining: Frequently integrated into mobile construction and mining equipment for essential functions such as dust control, on-site equipment cleaning, or as a temporary water supply in remote or challenging geographical locations, leveraging its exceptional durability and resistance to harsh environmental conditions.
- Environmental Services: Could be employed in mobile sanitation units or for containing specific wastewater streams from cleaning operations, provided the chemical compatibility with polyethylene is confirmed for the waste being handled.
Inherent Advantages and Long-Term Value Proposition
The Buyers Products 105 Gallon Poly Tank delivers a compelling suite of advantages that translate directly into significant operational benefits and superior long-term value for the end-user. Its lightweight polyethylene construction provides substantial reduction in vehicle payload compared to equivalent steel tanks, contributing to improved fuel efficiency, reduced wear on host equipment, and increased capacity for other cargo. The inherent corrosion resistance of MDPE eliminates the concerns of rust, galvanic corrosion, and electrochemical degradation commonly associated with metal tanks, particularly when storing corrosive agricultural chemicals, de-icing solutions, or industrial fluids. This extends the tank's operational lifespan and drastically reduces maintenance requirements and associated costs. The seamless, rotationally molded design inherently minimizes potential leak points, providing superior reliability, preventing costly spills, and mitigating environmental contamination risks. The integrated UV stabilization ensures the tank’s viability and structural integrity over years of continuous outdoor use, safeguarding the initial investment and ensuring operational continuity regardless of environmental exposure. Furthermore, the smooth, non-porous interior surface of the polyethylene facilitates easier and more effective cleaning, which is crucial for preventing cross-contamination when the tank is used for sequential storage of different types of compatible liquids. These combined attributes underscore the tank's robust engineering, offering an exceptional return on investment through unparalleled durability, minimal maintenance, and remarkable application versatility.
Best Practices for Installation and Maintenance
To ensure optimal performance, longevity, and safety, adherence to best practices for installation and maintenance is crucial. Proper installation requires the tank to be securely mounted to the host hopper or chassis utilizing appropriate, heavy-duty hardware and structural supports. Even weight distribution across mounting points is essential to prevent localized stress concentrations leading to material fatigue or cracking. Care must be taken to avoid overtightening mounting fasteners, which could deform the polyethylene. Regular visual inspections are recommended to identify any signs of physical damage, such as cracks, abrasions, deformation, or discoloration, particularly around mounting areas and the port connection. Gasket or seal integrity for the .750-inch port should be periodically verified. Cleaning should be performed using only cleaning agents compatible with polyethylene; harsh solvents, abrasive cleaners, or high-pressure steam should be strictly avoided as they can degrade the polymer surface or compromise its structural integrity. Thorough rinsing is advised when changing the type of liquid stored to prevent cross-contamination. Adequate ventilation must always be ensured during filling and emptying operations, especially when handling liquids that may produce vapors. Strict adherence to the specified maximum operating temperature of 110°F (43.3°C) is paramount; exposure exceeding this limit, or to direct flame, will irreversibly damage the material and void performance guarantees. Following these guidelines will maximize the operational lifespan and ensure the safe, reliable performance of the 105 Gallon Poly Tank.
Conclusion: An Indispensable Asset for Fluid Management
In summation, the Buyers Products 105 Gallon Poly Tank exemplifies advanced material science and application-focused engineering. Its meticulous construction from all-virgin, UV-stabilized medium-density polyethylene, coupled with its robust hopper-mounted design and precise volumetric capacity, positions it as an indispensable component for demanding fluid management applications across a spectrum of industries. By strictly adhering to its well-defined operational guidelines, particularly concerning the exclusion of fuel storage and adherence to specified temperature limits, users can confidently leverage this tank for its unparalleled durability, intrinsic chemical resistance, and consistent long-term performance. This poly tank represents a strategic, intelligent investment for businesses and organizations requiring reliable, secure, and highly adaptable liquid storage solutions engineered to withstand the rigors of continuous outdoor and mobile operation, ensuring efficiency and safety in critical operations.
