A Frame Loader

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

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. 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. Click here to view Loading Arm Insulation Specifications.

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.

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

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” Bottom Loading Arm
Ductile Iron/Carbon Steel/ Aluminum Construction
96” Reach
M32F-3
Same as above in 4” (M32F-4)

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

Download Loading Arm Configurations

Videos

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.

Products

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A Frame Loader

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 Loading Systems

Success Story: SI Group

Downloads

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