Top-mounted鹤管, also known as overhead loading鹤管, is a specialized rigid pipe equipment installed on loading platforms to complete the loading and unloading of liquid mediums through the top loading ports of tank trucks (cars/trains). It achieves flexible positioning in three-dimensional space through multi-section swivel arms + rotating joints, replacing traditional flexible hoses. It is the core equipment for tank truck loading and unloading at sites such as oil refineries, oil depots, and chemical industrial parks. It can be divided into two main types, open and closed, according to sealing requirements, and is suitable for different volatile medium characteristics.
Core Structure (Standard Model, Modular Design)
The overall structure is a metal rigid tube frame, with clear division of labor among components, easy operation, and strong stability. The core composition is identical; only the sealed models are equipped with additional sealing and vapor recovery components.
Supporting Rotation Unit: Pillar, Rotation Connector (core component, 3-5 pieces), bearing base, enabling horizontal 360° rotation and vertical ±45° range of motion, compatible with different tanker positions/heights.
Boom conveying unit: inner arm, outer arm, telescopic downpipe, serving as the medium conveying channel. The downpipe can be adjusted according to the depth of the tank truck opening for precise alignment.
Balanced Effort Unit: Spring Cylinder Balancer / Counterweight Balancing, maintains the arm at balance in any position, allowing for single-person alignment and containment operations, reducing labor intensity.
Fixed auxiliary units: containment locking device (locks crane boom when idle, saving space), operating platform / railing, enhancing operational safety.
Safety Base Unit: Antistatic grounding device, corrosion-resistant seals (PTFE / Fluorinated rubber), eliminating the risk of friction-induced explosions, suitable for various sealing requirements of different media.
Universal Core Technology Parameters
Suitable for automotive/truck tanker applications, parameters can be customized according to medium and flow rate, with standard ranges as follows:
Nominal Diameter: Liquid Phase DN50-DN200 (Gas Phase pipes are mostly DN50, standard with sealed models)
Design Pressure: 0.6-2.5 MPa, suitable for atmospheric/medium pressure loading and unloading conditions.
Design Temperature: -50℃ to +110℃; Optional steam/electric tracing system, suitable for heavy oil, wax oil, and other high-viscosity or low-temperature media.
Main Material: Carbon Steel 20# (common oil), 304/316 Stainless Steel (weak corrosive chemical medium), steel-lined PTFE (strong corrosive medium like concentrated sulfuric acid)
Operation: Manual primarily, with an option for pneumatic assist alignment upgrade, suitable for high-frequency loading and unloading operations.
Service Life: Up to 8-10 years, metal rigid tube has no risk of aging or cracking, significantly longer than traditional flexible hoses.
Core Advantages (vs. Traditional Hoses / Bottom Loading Cranes)
Highly adaptable: No restrictions on truck model or interface position, compatible with both car and train wagons; 360° rotation with no blind spots, installable on various loading platforms.
Safety and Durability: Metal rigid tube structure, resistant to aging and impact, with no risk of hose bursting and leaking; built-in static electricity grounding to eliminate the risk of combustion and explosion at the source.
Ergonomic Operation: The balancer features a user-friendly design that allows a single person to perform all operations. Quick alignment and containment, enhancing loading and unloading efficiency.
Low maintenance cost: Modular design, with only rotating joints and seals as wearable parts, which can be individually removed and replaced without disassembling the entire unit, making maintenance straightforward.
Low transformation cost: Low foundation requirements for loading platform, allowing direct upgrade of old platforms without extensive construction, suitable for optimizing existing projects.
