Oil Tank

Not directly model engineering related but possibly something that somebody will have an idea for. I am an engineer who repairs wood working machines. One of my customers has a saw that is used for cutting rolls of lead (think chimney flashings). The rise and fall of the saw uses hydraulics and the saw has a small hydraulic oil tank that resembles a Swarfega tub (it's about 150 mm square and 300 mm high).

The tank is plastic and the combination of its working environment and the fact that it is full of oil has taken its toll on the tank and it now leaks and the system needs to be topped up every day. The state of the plastic means that I do not want to try a repair as I'm sure the plastic will simply disintegrate if I touch it.

The manufacturer of the saw no longer exists so I can't get a replacement from them.

So, the question is, has anyone seen anything like what I am talking about that could be adapted (other than the obvious use of a Swarfega tub !, which probably would not take to kindly to being filled with oil and subjected to vibration). The hydraulic connections mean that it needs to have at least one flat side and base i.e. it can't be a cylinder.

I know that I probably could weld up a steel box but I would prefer something that's available off the shelf

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Martin

On ebay-2.5L Car Truck Plastic Fuel Oil Gasoline Tank Kits Air Diesel Parking Heater

should do the job

Pete

If you Google Hydraulic Reservoir Tank plenty of commercial offerings come up, in both plastic and steel, complete with filler cap and sight glass etc. Better than mucking about with adapting a paint bucket etc. I wont post a link as my search results show up in Australia which might be a bit far for shipping for you!

Many thanks for the replies.

Pete, the tanks you found on ebay looked just about right but I realised that they have one flaw that stops me from using one, in that the existing tank has hydraulic connections at the side and the bottom and I need to be able to get my hand inside the tank to couple up the pipe connections.

Hopper, I followed your guide and found a plastic tank that is meant to be used on the end of a hydraulic pump/motor combination. The mounting for the pump etc is large enough to get my hand inside I will just have to blank off the existing filling hole and make a cover for the end of the tank.

Thanks again.

Martin

Have fun wiith your hydraulic oil!

Sounds like a small stainless waste bin might be a candidate ?

Couldnt you make one up out of sheet steel? probably quicker to bite the bullet and make one rather than look around for ages ,

Maybe a small galvanised steel header tank from a plumbing merchant would do well. It will be open at the top but would that be an impediment?

Brian

Would a small ammo box work? They're about 150x150x300 but the orientation may be wrong.

David

I work in hydraulics and have all the fittings. I have sent you a PM, little envelope at top of page.