Tank up for BIG s vings
Page 25
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WERATORS are losing thou;ands of pounds each year 3ecause of poorly constructed fuel tanks, lack of baffles nside them, and from the fact :hat they are simply not big .nough to hold sufficient fuel For a long haul.
This claim is made by Stan Woodland, managing director 3f Barwood's Ltd of Tottenriam.
The reason for Mr Woodand's claim is that long-distance lorries are compelled to re-fuel en route )wing to the small capacity of :he 205-litre (45ga1) tank. Larger tanks enable drivers to fill up before leaving their base with the company's own fuel which is approximately 71/2p per gallon cheaper than the fuel purchased from a motorway service station.
Barwood's say that it is cheaper for owners to either arrange for them to add an extension to an existing tank or to supply a complete new 410-litre (90gal) tank. Some lorries are fitted with a pair of Barwood tanks with a balance pipe or two-feed stystems, providing a total capacity of up to 820 litres (180gal).
Built to outlive the life of the vehicle, these outsize tanks con ain reinforced baffles. Spot welds on mass-produced tanks are brittle and tear open, sometimes after only a few months use. Barwood's tanks are riveted and soldered and the end panels are stressed so that there are no weak points.
Fitted as standard is a special anti-theft filler neck which prevents the fuel thief dipping a syphon further than a few inches into the tank. Another feature of these tanks is their reinforced bracket patch that prevents wear caused from vibration on the vehicle brackets.