OPW Engineered Systems
A Frame Loader

Loading Arm Configurations

The “A” Frame Loader is a popular loading-arm configurations due to its flexibility, long reach and convenience of use. Commonly used for tank-truck bottom loading, “A” Frame arms can also be used in top-loading/unloading installations. Inlet flange and seamless piping are suitable for handling liquefied petroleum gases, including propane and butane.

• 2”–4” sizes available
• Carbon-Steel, Stainless-Steel and Aluminum options
• Adjusts for elevation/tilting during loading/unloading
• Stores in upright, near-vertical position
• Compact storage envelope allows closer installation proximity
• Low riser mounting heights
• Equipped with dry-disconnect coupling, union or other tight-fill inlet
• Choice of flanged, threaded or all-welded construction
• LPG service arms (LPG-32-F) feature all-welded construction
• Fully customizable

Features & Benefits:

• Easy to operate/maneuver
• Eliminates cumbersome hose
• Easily stored away from vehicles
• For multiple product applications, it can be mounted close to another arm
• Can be safely stored to provide for safe clearance of vehicles
• Crossover can easily be achieved

Loading Arm Velocities What size pipe do I need?

Velocity in ft/sec.						Velocity in m/sec.
GPM	2"	3"	4"	6"		L/min.	2"	3"	4"	6"
100	9.6					400	3.1
125	12					600	4.6	2.1
150	14.3					800	6.1	2.8
175	16.8					1000	7.7	3.5	2
200	19.1	8.7				1250	9.6	4.4	2.5
225	21.5	9.8				1500		5.2	3
250	23.9	10.8				1750		6.1	3.5
300		13	7.5			2000		7	4
350		15.2	8.8			2250		7.9	4.5	2
400		17.4	10.1			2500		8.7	5.1	2.2
450		19.6	11.4			2750			5.6	2.4
500		21.7	12.6	5.6		3000			6.1	2.6
550		23.9	13.8	6.1		3250			6.6	2.9
600			15.1	6.6		3500			7.1	3.1
650			16.4	7.2		3750			7.6	3.3
700			17.6	7.8		4000			8.1	3.6
750			18.9	8.3		4500			9.1	4
800			20.2	8.9		5000				4.5
900			22.7	10		5500				4.9
1000				11.1		6000				5.3
1200				13.3		6500				5.8
1300				14.4		7000				6.2
1400				15.6
1500				16.7
1600				17.8
1700				18.9
1800				20
Velocities above 15 ft./sec. (4.6 m/sec.) are generally not recommended - Bold are recommended.

Accessories:

Heating – Loading Arms can be fully or partially jacketed for efficient handling of asphalt, molten sulfur, waxes, resins and other products that are highly viscous or tend to solidify at ambient temperatures. Loading Arm Insulation – OPW can provide a Custom Insulation Package designed specifically for your loading arm. Unlike field-applied insulation, these packages are completely removable and reusable, making them the ideal solution for loading arm use.

Grounding/Bonding – Suggested for many top/splash loading applications. Available as an option on all Loading Arm designs.
Electronic Ground Verification The Civacon model 8030 Ground Verification Monitor is compatible with today’s transport ground systems. The monitor is equipped to provide a permissive signal to allow load rack operation and, if ground is lost, to indicate a non-permissive signal and shut down the loading operation.

Safety Breakaway Coupling   Protects your equipment, piping and personnel in the event of an unintended pull-away. A consideration whenever you are making a tight connection to a truck or railcar.

Quick & Dry Disconnect Couplings With OPW, you have many options at your disposal for your loading arm termination connections. From the original quick-disconnect Kamlok® coupling to our Epsilon™ dry disconnect coupling, we have a coupling to meet your needs.   
API Bottom Loading Couplers Commonly used for loading Petroleum products, OPW provides several options for loading your Petroleum transports.

Loading Valves

• 6400 Series Horizontal Valve – OPW Loading Valves are designed to shut off flow without causing shock in the pipeline. 
  • Adjustable closure rate 
  • 3” & 4” sizes, Aluminum Construction 
  • TTMA Flanged connections 
  • Ball Valves (per application/specification)

Pneumatic Counterbalancing – An alternative to conventional spring balanced loading arm, pneumatics provide the ultimate in loading arm design.