With job site safety becoming an ever-increasing and necessary priority, those in the trucking and hauling industry know just how vital reliable loading solutions are. Loading arms are becoming the go-to standard for safety where loading and unloading are concerned. While both hoses and loading arms have plenty of benefits when it comes to the safe transfer of product into tankers, loading arms are particularly adept where durability and performance are concerned. Below, we’ll explore some of the factors to consider when deciding between hoses and tubes for loading trucks and tankers. Read on to learn more!

Weight and Balances

One of the most important elements to consider when selecting your loading and unloading medium is the weight and necessary counterbalance of your freight. Hoses can become extremely heavy depending on your load, which poses a risk for crew members in terms of strain and injury, as well as damage to the unit itself. Contrastingly, loading arms are designed to balance weight in an ergonomic fashion, greatly increasing your capacity and reducing risk to boost overall efficiency.

Nature of Application

While hoses are fantastic for operations that require more flexibility with content delivery, a loading arm is best suited to worksites and applications that involve repetitive motion. The unique construction allows them to be able to handle repeating the same motion over and over with minimal wear and tear. In addition, loading arms can be rebuilt so they can last decades by adding replacement parts and removing the old parts while hoses need to be tested and likely replaced yearly.

Environment

Finally, you need to consider the job site itself, as well as any challenges or unique needs that might be present. If your crew is constantly tripping over hoses or struggling with reduced floor space, loading arms are a fantastic option as they are mounted off the ground and can be folded when not in use. While hoses are a good option for spaces that require considerable maneuvering for loading, loading arms are much more versatile and easier to adapt in general.

By keeping the above in mind, you should be able to narrow down which kind of loading solutions work best for your specific application and decide whether hoses or loading arms are the right match.

Loading arms and more at Northern Platforms

As Western Canada’s leading source for loading solutions, Northern Platforms offers our clients to a wide selection of loading arms, platforms, gangways and more. Representing top brands like OPW, Emco Wheaton and more, we guarantee we’ll have the right solution for you!

View Northern Platform’s loading arm inventory here, or learn more by contacting us today!