Thinking generator- many watts to run block heater?
#41
01-31-2009, 04:18 PM
Check with Tom in Avenel, see what he has to say about it, remember the company rules supercede the book. 
#44
01-31-2009, 06:50 PM
Could it be that since the hydraulic power units are permantly mounted as are the fuel tanks and they are a required part of the system that they fall into a different and more obscure set of regulations??
The trailers I'm refering to are our Schnables, the front power unit runs the hydraulics for the tower that holds the tube and the rear unit runs the tower and the steering. The front one only runs when loading/unloading but the rear unit runs all the time when running down the road under a load as it hadles the self steering system. When empty, we pull the rear unit backwards behind the front unit with a pintle hook and a-frame. There's no need for it then since the hydraulics are left floating and it just follows along like a full trailer (kinda like the pups behind a grain hauler). On our hydraulic RGN's the Honda power unit on them just has a 1 gallon tank mounted to the engine itself. It falls into the whole "no gravity feed" rule but that's the way they have been building them for 40+ years so I guess there again there must be an obscure rule covering that as well. I'm pulling one right now and yesterday when I crossed the Wibaux, MT scales, the officer came out and all he was worried about was whether or not I had articulation locks on the tractor. He never gave a second thought to the 2 1/2 gallon gas can bungied in the gooseneck. He did have me adjust my tag axle to put a little more weight on the steer since I was about 800# heavy on the drivers+tag but other than that he was cool with everything.
#45
01-31-2009, 07:36 PM
Everything I've ever read, and I've searched out any and every DOT regulation in regards to auxiliary power systems, states that 8 gallons is the maximum amount of gasoline that can be hauled without it being placarded.
#46
01-31-2009, 10:56 PM
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#47
01-31-2009, 11:42 PM
Do the units on the trailers fall into the aux. power system since they have nothing to do aux, power for the tractor itself? I'm just curious since he whole topic was brought up. I have seen the schnables built this way for at least 10 years and I can't imagine Trail-King building something that doesn't comply or is that just a grey area that hasn't been addressed yet??
#49
02-01-2009, 05:53 PM
That's the neat thing about the DOT. If they want to find something bad enough, they will. No sense in making it any easier for them.
I'm sure nobody would like leaving their generator sitting at the scale because DOT said it wasn't allowed on a CMV. Personally, if they ever complain about mine, I'll drain the gas out of it, and leave the gas at the scale. They can't cite me if the generator is empty.
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#50
02-01-2009, 08:31 PM
Do the units on the trailers fall into the aux. power system since they have nothing to do aux, power for the tractor itself? I'm just curious since he whole topic was brought up. I have seen the schnables built this way for at least 10 years and I can't imagine Trail-King building something that doesn't comply or is that just a grey area that hasn't been addressed yet??
§392.51 Reserve fuel; materials of trade.
Small amounts of fuel for the operation or maintenance of a commercial motor vehicle (including its auxiliary equipment) may be designated as materials of trade (see 49 CFR 171.8).
(a) The aggregate gross weight of all materials of trade on a motor vehicle may not exceed 200 kg (440 pounds). (b) Packaging for gasoline must be made of metal or plastic and conform to requirements of 49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, and 178 or requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration contained in 29 CFR 1910.106. (c) For Packing Group II (including gasoline), Packing Group III (including aviation fuel and fuel oil), or ORM-D, the material is limited to 30 kg (66 pounds) or 30 L (8 gallons). (d) For diesel fuel, the capacity of the package is limited to 450 L (119 gallons). (e) A Division 2.1 material in a cylinder is limited to a gross weight of 100 kg (220 pounds). (A Division 2.1 material is a flammable gas, including liquefied petroleum gas, butane, propane, liquefied natural gas, and methane). And the reg on the engine itself:
Subpart E—Fuel systems §393.65 All fuel systems.
(a) Application of the rules in this section. The rules in this section apply to systems for containing and supplying fuel for the operation of motor vehicles or for the operation of auxiliary equipment installed on, or used in connection with, motor vehicles. (b) Location. Each fuel system must be located on the motor vehicle so that— (b)(1) No part of the system extends beyond the widest part of the vehicle; (b)(2) No part of a fuel tank is forward of the front axle of a power unit; (b)(3) Fuel spilled vertically from a fuel tank while it is being filled will not contact any part of the exhaust or electrical systems of the vehicle, except the fuel level indicator assembly; (b)(4) Fill pipe openings are located outside the vehicle’s passenger compartment and its cargo compartment; (b)(5) A fuel line does not extend between a towed vehicle and the vehicle that is towing it while the combination of vehicles is in motion; and (b)(6) No part of the fuel system of a bus manufactured on or after January 1, 1973, is located within or above the passenger compartment. (c) Fuel tank installation. Each fuel tank must be securely attached to the motor vehicle in a workmanlike manner. (d) Gravity or syphon feed prohibited. A fuel system must not supply fuel by gravity or syphon feed directly to the carburetor or injector. (e) Selection control valve location. If a fuel system includes a selection control valve which is operable by the driver to regulate the flow of fuel from two or more fuel tanks, the valve must be installed so that either— (e)(1) The driver may operate it while watching the roadway and without leaving his driving position; or (e)(2) The driver must stop the vehicle and leave his seat in order to operate the valve. (f) Fuel lines. A fuel line which is not completely enclosed in a protective housing must not extend more than 2 inches below the fuel tank or its sump. Diesel fuel crossover, return, and withdrawal lines which extend below the bottom of the tank or sump must be protected against damage from impact. Every fuel line must be— (f)(1) Long enough and flexible enough to accommodate normal movements of the parts to which it is attached without incurring damage; and (f)(2) Secured against chafing, kinking, or other causes of mechanical damage. (g) Excess flow valve. When pressure devices are used to force fuel from a fuel tank, a device which prevents the flow of fuel from the fuel tank if the fuel feed line is broken must be installed in the fuel system. Since the tractor/trailer combination is considered the "Motor vehicle", the regs would apply even if the unit were mounted on the trailer. |
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