5 reasons to choose 'Heavy Metal' over 'Soft' Fluid Transfer Components
With various refuelling and fluid transfer offerings on the market, ranging from plastic, to aluminium, to solid zinc-plated steel, it can be mighty confusing to work out which products to choose.
Which options represent the best value for money, optimum performance, or longest serviceable life?
Metal Where It Matters
At Banlaw, we are firm believers in using Heavy Metal for parts that receive the harshest treatment during daily use on industrial worksites. But don’t just take our word for it; check out these 5 compelling reasons to opt for Heavy Metal over softer materials when choosing your refuelling and fluid transfer gear:
1) Prevent dents, warping and burring
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Steel is sturdy. It is less prone to warping from weight, heat or force. This is crucial for refuelling and fluid transfer equipment, as maintaining shape is vital for a ‘fluid-tight connection’, as well as optimum performance and safety.
- Steel is an ideal material as is it less likely to scratch, dent or burr. Products with extensive burring and external deformities will damage other components they get coupled with, quickly degrading seals, and reducing the operational life of multiple system components.
TOP TIP
Always check that the parts most likely to get a beating, that are vital to a safe and effective coupling are made from steel. We prefer K1045 and 4140, zinc-plated, tensile steel. Banlaw products are always metal where it matters.
2) Get more reliable and efficient coupling and Prevent Nozzle ‘Fly-Off’
- Softer materials such as plastic and aluminium are fine when used on non-vital components, to reduce weight and aid functionality. However, if used for vital coupling components they tend to warp over time. This can cause inconsistent, unreliable and dangerous coupling when it comes to refuelling and fluid transfer applications. Warped components simply do not connect as easily or reliably.
- Choosing equipment that features steel mating parts is vital for maintaining a reliable, quick, strong, and fluid-tight connection. These main components hold their shape, giving you a connection you can trust every time, and keeping the fluids on the inside.
- From a safety perspective, having sturdy all-steel mating components can prevent the dreaded ‘Fly-Off-Effect’. We know of horror stories, where plastic or aluminium refuelling components have detached during use, causing the nozzle to fly off, and leading to serious harm to the operator.
- Every time industrial fluids end up on the ground, this is also an environmental situation that could have been avoided.
3) Maximise Product Lifespan
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Although it might be tempting to choose schmick looking aluminium gear with a beautifully anodised finish, the reality is that this equipment does not go the distance. The anodised finish wears off within months, and you are left with less durable hardware that requires replacement much sooner than a steel product.
- Banlaw Refuelling Nozzles are fully serviceable, and repairable. And for a fraction of the cost of replacement. They return to Banlaw or an Authorised Banlaw Nozzle Repairer from some of the harshest worksites on the planet, and then they go back to work refurbished, tested, and looking like new… sometimes for decades.
4) Boost your productivity
- It is tempting to opt for cheaper products (made from softer materials) as they require less money up front, however one important thing to consider is your productivity. Every time the cheaper product fails and needs to be replaced, this causes downtime, and that loss of productivity quickly adds up, impacting your bottom line.
- Not to mention the ongoing costs of frequently replacing your fluid transfer equipment.
“The couplings have been very well received and have performed well. They also are in our minimum equipment standard for mobile equipment at WAIO which means standard fitment for all new machines.”
“We have converted our whole operation over to Banlaw fittings 6 months ago and
have not had any issues thus far. The BEC-B coupling is a great feature as it allows you to Evac from all compartments without having to keep swapping fittings to match that compartment.”
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5) Non-negotiable for worksites requiring FRAS rated equipment
- Solid Steel is a non-negotiable for worksites that require the use of Fire Retardant Anti-Static (FRAS) rated equipment.
- For example, in underground mines FRAS rated equipment is a must to prevent equipment from continuing to burn (FR) and to prevent explosions or electric shock to operators (AS) (Queensland Government, 2021)
- In this instance, products must be aluminium free.
If you want optimum reliability, value for money and longevity, then invest in heavy metal where it matters.
Get in touch
Contact a Banlaw rep to learn more about refuelling and fluid transfer gear that's made from Metal Where it Matters.
