Scissor Style Top Loading Arm

Primarily used to load and unload tank trucks where the reaches will be less than 120” (3048 mm).This versatile arm is designed specifically for top-loading installations where a variable operating range is required. The secondary arm rotates 360 degrees in the horizontal plane, providing a spotting allowance of up to twice its length.

Note: The scissor-arm configuration is NOT recommended in 6” size or in all carbon steel or stainless steel construction due to the difficulties an operator would have handling the heavy outboard components.

Features/Benefits

Available in 2", 3" and 4"
Available in carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum
Choice of flanged, threaded or all-welded construction
Adaptable to tight-fill or closed system loading when equipped with additional swivel planes of rotation and/or drop hose; along with required outboard coupling, union or fitting
Truck applications
Smooth, easy operation
Versatility of reach
Limitations :
- Not recommended for 6” applications
- Not recommended for all carbon steel or stainless steel construction due to the difficulties an operator would have handling the heavy outboard components
- Not recommended for reaches over 120” (3048mm)
- Not recommended for vapor recovery applications or applications involving heavy attachments (cover plates, cones, steam jacketing, etc.)
- A Supported or Unsupported Boom Style Loader would be suggested for any of above applications

Accessories

Hi-Level Alarm- An effective means to prevent overfilling of tank is always suggested. In many cases both a primary (metering, scale/weight) and secondary (Hi-Level Alarm on Loading Arm) may be in place.

For Clear, Light Non-Viscous Materials
Civacon Optic Cane Probe (Model 1300/1400)
For Dark, Viscous Materials
A variety of probe styles, manufacturers can be adapted to fit on your OPW Loading Arm. We have experience with most major overfill brands.

Vapor Recovery- Concern for the environment and your employees is of utmost concern. Several options are available to help retain and recover harmful vapors and avoid excessive splashing, each customized to fit your application. Click here for more information on OPW Vapor Recovery Solutions.

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. Click here for more information on OPW Heated Loading Solutions.

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.

Vacuum Breaker – OPW Engineered Systems Vacuum Breakers permit quick, positive evacuation of the arm after the loading operation is complete. Suggested for any top load/submerged fill application.

Lockdown- available to help insure that your loading arm stays securely in vehicle during loading operation. Several options available depending on your application.

Deflectors – Loading arm drop tube can be provided with deflector to help minimize the risk of static build-up and/or product foaming. Can also be used to redirect the upward pressure in order to keep the arm from attempting to rise out of tank during loading.

463 Deflector (Cone)
- Aluminum Construction
- 3” & 4”, FNPT

464 Deflector (Tee)
- Aluminum Construction
- 3” & 4”, FNPT

Strainers- Loading arm drop tube can be provided with a cast aluminum suction strainer when unloading tank cars. Helps prevent scale and other foreign objects from being sucked into line.

341 Suction Strainer
- Cast Aluminum
- Galvanized steel screen
- 3” & 4” FNPT

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.

Features/Benefits

Available in 2", 3" and 4"
Available in carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum
Choice of flanged, threaded or all-welded construction
Adaptable to tight-fill or closed system loading when equipped with additional swivel planes of rotation and/or drop hose; along with required outboard coupling, union or fitting
Truck applications
Smooth, easy operation
Versatility of reach
Limitations :
- Not recommended for 6” applications
- Not recommended for all carbon steel or stainless steel construction due to the difficulties an operator would have handling the heavy outboard components
- Not recommended for reaches over 120” (3048mm)
- Not recommended for vapor recovery applications or applications involving heavy attachments (cover plates, cones, steam jacketing, etc.)
- A Supported or Unsupported Boom Style Loader would be suggested for any of above applications

Photos

Library

All OPW Loading Arms can be customized to fit your specific application requirements. We do offer a series of Standard/ optimized solutions that are commonly specified. These optimized selections can be expedited to meet faster delivery requirements.

3” Top Unloading Arm
All Carbon Steel/PTFE Construction
Ball Valve
84” x 24” x 48” Drop
C32F-H315

3” Top Unloading Arm
Ductile Iron/Carbon Steel/Aluminum/Flurocarbon Construction
Aluminum Load Valve w/ Remote
84” x 24” x 43” Drop
C32F-3

4” Top Unloading Arm
Ductile Iron/Carbon Steel/Aluminum/Flurocarbon Construction
Aluminum Load Valve w/Remote
84" x 24" x 43" Drop
C32F-4

3” Top Unloading Arm
Stainless Steel/PTFE Construction
Ball Valve w/remote
84” x 24” x 48” Drop
C32RF-G897

3” Top Unloading Arm
Stainless Steel/Fluorocarbon Construction
Tee deflector
84” x 24” x 48” Drop
C32RF-G811

Technical

Click on the title below to view the technical information.

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.

Loading Arm Swivel/Spring Dimensions

How much clearance will my loading arm require?

Coming soon.

Loading Arm Configurations

Videos

OPW Engineered Systems Top-loading Scissor Style

OPW Loading Systems

The transfer of volatile, valuable, potentially toxic fluids requires highly engineered loading arms, couplers and swivels. OPW Engineered Systems is the global leader in the design and manufacture of products that transfer fluids SAFER, CLEANER, FASTER.

Success Story: SI Group

This success story demonstrates how the SI Group Manufacturing prefers OPW Engineered System's Drylock Disconnect Couplers and Adaptors for their outstanding safety features, with virtually no fluid loss and no exposure.

Drylok™ is designed to safely transfer hazardous corrosive, volatile liquids such as acids, solvents and petrochemicals. An interlocking handle averts accidental spills by preventing uncoupling while the valve is open. And, the unit's flat face minimizes fluid loss, further reducing exposure to risk during operation. Drylok™ is ideal for all kinds of hazardous fluids where product loss is a problem, such as high-pressure lines, high flow rates, slurries, and gases.

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Scissor Style Top Loading Arm

Features/Benefits

Accessories

Features/Benefits

Photos

Library

Technical

Loading Arm Velocities What size pipe do I need?

Velocity in ft/sec.

Velocity in m/sec.

Loading Arm Swivel/Spring Dimensions

Loading Arm Configurations

Videos

OPW Engineered Systems Top-loading Scissor Style

OPW Loading Systems

Success Story: SI Group

OPW Engineered Systems Top-loading Scissor Style

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