OPW Loading Arms
Complete System Design & Integrations for Safer, More Efficient Bulk Fluid Transfer
SafeRack is North America’s largest distributor of OPW Engineered Systems loading arms
SafeRack is North America’s largest distributor of OPW loading arms. We design, supply, and install OPW top, bottom, A-frame, and vapor-recovery arms — then integrate them with the gangways, safety cages, and fall protection that make the whole loading rack OSHA-compliant. One partner, one accountable solution.
Backed by OPW Engineered Systems’ fluid-handling engineering since 1892 and SafeRack’s hands-on RAM (Regional Area Manager) network, you get the right arm specified for your product, flow rate, and vehicle — delivered on time and on budget.
OPW Engineered Systems loading arms
Safety & Compliance Expert
HAVE A QUESTION?
Talk to a Safety Expert Now
Why buy OPW arms through SafeRack
Customer First
Largest OPW loading arm distributor in North America
stock, pricing, and lead times direct from the manufacturer.
Complete system, one vendor
the arm plus the platform, gangway, safety cage, and grounding, engineered to work together.
On-site evaluation
a SafeRack loading arm expert walks your facility, measures reach and spotting tolerances, and specs the exact model.
Turnkey install + support
Ergonomic, durable designs reduce downtime and improve safety.
Compliance built in
systems engineered to API RP 1004 and OSHA fall-protection requirements.
Some of the OPW loading arm models we supply
Bottom loading arms
Ground-level, sealed transfer for petroleum, chemical, and liquefied gas — safer and faster than hoses. OPW bottom arms accommodate the widest range of working envelopes.
- HL32F / HSL32F API Bottom Loading Arm — workhorse API bottom loader; HSL adds a drop-hose swivel for extra flexibility and longer hose life.
- VL32F / VSL32F — vertical-storage configurations for tight rack spacing.
- M-32-F “A-Frame” Loader — compact storage for optimal clearance; handles multiple-product applications.
- AFH-32-F “A-Frame” Hose Loader — A-frame benefits with a flexible hose on the secondary arm.
- G-32-F Unsupported Boom Arm — for variable elevations; scissor-back storage.
- SRH-32-F / LRH-32-F Spring-Balanced Hose Loaders — short- and long-range, adjustable torsion springs, meet API envelope requirements.
- CWH Counterweighted Hose Loader & CTS Compact Torsion-Spring Loader — balanced handling for high-throughput truck loading.
- LBM800 Liquip Balance Mechanism — precision balance for demanding terminal duty.
Top loading arms
For rail loading, chemical trucks, and dome loading of petroleum — open-fill, sealed-fill, or full vapor recovery.
- Fixed-reach and variable-reach top loaders — supported or unsupported boom for trucks and railcars where spotting varies.
- Vapor-Recovery Top Loading Arms — from a simple fixed-reach loader to a dual-line, pneumatically actuated system; the most complete top-loading vapor-recovery line available.
- StandardLine Loading Arms — pre-engineered configurations for faster delivery on common applications.
Specialty & accessories
- 1004D4 API Bottom Loading Coupler — spring-loaded sleeve design; drain, sample, parking, and weather-cap adapters available.
- OPW swivel joints — extensive selection for chemical, oil, petrochemical, refining, and process applications
- Quick and dry-disconnect couplers, safety breakaways, sight-flow indicators
- Overfill prevention & grounding (works with SafeRack Earth-Rite static-grounding systems)
- PTFE-lined and heated arms for aggressive or temperature-sensitive media; floating suction assemblies; custom-engineered arms
OPW Loading Arms
OPW Engineered Systems B-32-RF
OPW Engineered Systems B-32-RF — Supported Boom Arm (with valve and remote handle)
OPW Engineered Systems C-32-F
OPW Engineered Systems C-32-F — Scissor Type Arm (with valve)
OPW Engineered Systems C32F / GT32F
OPW Engineered Systems C32F / GT32F — Drum & Tote Loading Arms (Mini Arms)
OPW Engineered Systems CTS
OPW Engineered Systems CTS — Compact Torsion Spring (CTS) Hose Loader
OPW Engineered Systems E-32-F
OPW Engineered Systems E-32-F — Single Arm Fixed Reach (with valve)
OPW Engineered Systems G-32-F
OPW Engineered Systems G-32-F — Unsupported Boom-Type Bottom Loader
OPW Engineered Systems LRH-32-F
OPW Engineered Systems LRH-32-F — Long-Range Spring Balanced Hose Loader
OPW Engineered Systems H-32-F
OPW Engineered Systems H-32-F — Scissor Type Arm (without valve)
OPW Engineered Systems B-32-F — Supported Boom Arm (top loading, without valve)
The OPW AFH-32-F A-Frame Hose Loader is a flexible bottom loading arm designed for efficient petroleum transfer and vapor recovery applications.
OPW Engineered Systems AFH-32-F — A-Frame Hose Loader
The OPW AFH-32-F A-Frame Hose Loader is a flexible bottom loading arm designed for efficient petroleum transfer and vapor recovery applications.
OPW Engineered Systems A-32-F — Slide Sleeve Arm (top loading)
The OPW A-32-F Slide Sleeve Arm is a telescoping top loading arm designed for efficient and accurate loading of petroleum products into tank trucks.
OPW Engineered Systems 8000 Series Endura™ DSF — Dual Split Flange Swivel Joints
The OPW 8000 Series Endura™ DSF Swivel Joint is a heavy-duty swivel designed for hazardous fluid transfer, featuring redundant sealing and leak detection for enhanced safety.
OPW Engineered Systems 3000 Series — General Purpose Swivel Joints
The OPW 3000 Series General Purpose Swivel Joints provide reliable rotational movement and leak-free fluid transfer across a wide range of industrial applications.
OPW Engineered Systems 1004D3 / 1005E — API Bottom Loading Coupler (previous standard)
The OPW 1004D3 / 1005E API Bottom Loading Coupler is a proven fuel transfer coupling designed for safe, reliable, and efficient bottom loading operations at petroleum terminals.
OPW Engineered Systems J-32-F
OPW Engineered Systems J-32-F — Single Arm Fixed Reach (without valve)
OPW Engineered Systems LBM800
OPW Engineered Systems LBM800 — Liquip Balance Mechanism (Bottom Loading Arm)
OPW Engineered Systems SRH-32-F
OPW Engineered Systems SRH-32-F — Short-Range Spring Balanced Hose Loader
OPW Engineered Systems LRH-32-F
OPW Engineered Systems LRH-32-F — Long-Range Spring Balanced Hose Loader
OPW Engineered Systems VL32F / VSL32F
OPW Engineered Systems VL32F / VSL32F — Vapor Bottom Unloading Arms (EMEA)
OPW Engineered Systems Vapor Recovery Arms
OPW Engineered Systems Vapor Recovery Arms — Piggyback and Dual/Siamese Designs
OPW Engineered Systems 1004D4
OPW Engineered Systems 1004D4 — API Bottom Loading Coupler (current generation)
OPW Engineered Systems CWH Series
OPW Engineered Systems CWH Series — Counterweighted Hose Loader
API Bottom Loading Arm HL32F / HSL32F
The API Bottom Loading Arm HL32F / HSL32F is designed to provide safe, efficient, and reliable bottom-loading operations for petroleum transport vehicles.
LYNX — API Bottom Loading Coupler
OPW Engineered Systems LYNX — API Bottom Loading Coupler (current standard / StandardLine default)
M-32-F Frame Loader
The A Frame Loader is one of the most versatile loading arm configurations available for liquid and gas transfer operations.
G-32-F Unsupported Boom-Type Bottom Loader
OPW Bottom Loading Arm
G-32-F — Unsupported Boom-Type Bottom Loader
The workhorse API bottom loader; HSL adds a drop-hose swivel for extra flexibility and longer hose life.
- Type: Bottom loading arm (unsupported boom)
- Description: Heavy-duty, long-reach bottom loader with a minimum of five swivel planes of rotation, providing complete flexibility for tight connections when loading or unloading railcars, tank trucks, and aviation refuelers. The outboard swivel and arm adjust for changes in elevation or tilting as the vehicle loads/unloads. Stores at or near ground level on staggered risers for compact crossover capability.
- Sizes: 2″, 3″, 4″, 6″
- Materials: Carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, specialty alloys
- Construction: Choice of flanged, threaded, or all-welded
- Features: Low profile; minimum 5 swivel planes; torsion-spring balanced; outboard two-plane swivel; scissor-back storage
- Applications: Petroleum terminals, chemical, railcar loading/unloading, tank truck, aviation
Top vs. bottom loading
which OPW arm?
A SafeRack RAM will confirm the right choice based on your product, throughput, and how precisely vehicles can be spotted.
| Top loading arm | Bottom loading arm | |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Through the top hatch/dome | Ground-level flange / API coupler (1004D4) |
| Operator position | On a platform at the hatch | At ground level — less fall exposure |
| Best for | Rail, chemical trucks, dome fill | High-throughput truck terminals, LPG |
| Vapor recovery | Sealed fill with vapor cone | Closed-loop vapor return |
| Example models | Vapor-recovery & variable-reach top loaders | HL32F, M-32-F, AFH-32-F, SRH/LRH-32-F |
Built for safety and uptime
OPW arms replace cumbersome hoses with articulating swivel joints and balanced counterweight or spring systems — reducing spills, leaks, operator strain, and downtime. SafeRack completes the picture with ErectaStep access stairs and platforms, truck/railcar safety cages, GX gangways, YellowGate self-closing gates, and Earth-Rite static grounding, so operators connect every arm safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
An OPW loading arm is a rigid, articulating mechanical arm that transfers liquids or gases between a facility and a tank truck or railcar. It uses swivel joints and a counterbalance system to replace hoses, improving safety, sealing, and repeatability.
A top loading arm connects through the tanker’s top hatch; a bottom loading arm connects at ground level via a flange or API coupler. Bottom loading reduces fall exposure and supports closed-loop vapor recovery, while top loading suits rail, chemical, and dome-fill applications.
A top loading arm connects through the tanker’s top hatch; a bottom loading arm connects at ground level via a flange or API coupler. Bottom loading reduces fall exposure and supports closed-loop vapor recovery, while top loading suits rail, chemical, and dome-fill applications.
The 1004D4 is OPW’s next-generation API bottom-loading coupler. Its spring-loaded sleeve design simplifies maintenance and pairs with OPW bottom loading arms for sealed, ground-level connection to API-equipped tankers.
Yes. SafeRack provides on-site evaluation, system design, installation, and aftermarket parts, and integrates the arm with OSHA-compliant gangways, safety cages, grounding, and fall protection.
SafeRack is North America’s largest distributor of OPW loading arms, supplying direct from the manufacturer with stock, competitive pricing, and short lead times.
OPW bottom loading arms meet API RP 1004 envelope requirements, and complete systems are engineered to OSHA fall-protection requirements when integrated with SafeRack access and safety equipment.
Related Products
Bottom Loading Arms
Bottom loading arm products, system design and integrations.
Top Loading Arms
Top Loading Arms
Marine Hoses
DockReel – Barge and ship bulk loading equipment improves operator safety, boost productivity and increase product service life.
Couplings
Bulk loading and unloading API couplers and adapters
Swivel Joints
Swivel joints prevent bends in loading hoses that can reduce flow or even tear or rip, releasing harmful chemicals into the air.
Breakaways
Breakaways prevents damage and hazardous spills during pull-away incidents by stopping hose assembly failures before they impact plant piping, bulkheads, or loading arms.
OPW Loading Arms
SafeRack is North America’s largest distributor of OPW Engineered Systems loading arms
Emco Wheaton loading arms
SafeRack is North America’s largest distributor of Emco Wheaton loading arms
Excel Loading Arm Systems & Components
SafeRack is North America’s largest distributor of Excel loading arm systems & components