Water tank delivery? What to expect.

Water tank delivery differs depending on what style and size of tank is delivered.

Slimline water tanks and round tanks < 6,000 litres

In most cases your tank will be delivered via truck and trailer. Servicing the East Coast of Australia takes hours of logistics. Tanks are grouped into delivery areas. We attempt to be at the first drop off location by 7am. A few days prior to delivery of your water tank, the driver will contact you with a delivery time. From years of experience we are usually pretty accurate with delivery of Water Tank times. The odd occasion occurs where we may be running behind schedule due to road works, or difficulty at a previous delivery. But the delivery driver will keep in contact.
Once the truck arrives at your location – the following processes are followed:

1. Truck and Trailer will not enter private property due to liability.
2. Tanks will be offloaded by the driver at the most suitable place as determined by the driver. Customers are not to be involved in the offload process.
3. If customers would like help moving the tank to its final resting position, we leave it up to our drivers discretion and their safety. They are happy to help only under the following circumstances:
3a. Any tank 3000 litre tank and larger, there must be min 1 or 2 strong adults to help
3b. There are no stairs/garden beds or obstacles in the way of the delivery. The tanks are too heavy to manoeuvre around any obstacles.
3c. Get Tanked Water Tanks will take no responsibility for any damage to the tank or property/ground/walls etc whilst helping the customer to move the tank.

Round tanks > 6,000 litres

Various tank manufacturers have different delivery processes.  In short:

Tankmasta –

Will deliver tanks to front of property only.  It is customers responsibility to move the tank into position.  This is fairly easy – couple strong adults can push and pull the tank into position.  Sometimes the use of a lever under the tank can help (being careful not to damage the tank)  Other customers use their tractors and diggers to move the tanks themselves.

Polymaster – 

Our tanks can be quite large making the trucks loads very high and long and we take the job of
delivering your tank safety very seriously.

• The clearance required for truck and trailer is 19 metres long, 5 metres high and 3.5m wide.
• Ensure there are no low-lying branches or powerlines
• Make sure the gate/entrance is wide enough and there is enough turning area for the 19m
  long truck and trailer (size of a normal roundabout)

2 – Prepare your tank site

• The tank site must be firm, level and flat. A well compacted sand base or other consolidated fill such as crushed dust is recommended.
• This fill must be free of any rocks, stones or any sharp objects. The base must be 75mm – 100mm deep and at least 600mm larger in diameter than the tank base. The outside of the base must be supported by a retaining wall to prevent erosion.

3 – Prepare your overflow pipe

• The overflow must be piped well clear of the tank to avoid any undermining of the tank base. Ensure that a flexible hose of at least 300 mm (12”) is installed after the tank valve to absorb any shocks or movement.

PLEASE NOTE:  new OH&S rules –

Appropriate lifting equipment (eg crane is required to assist the site delivery of the following tanks;

• LFT Range – Fertiliser Tanks
• Septic Tanks – ST3100 & ST4550
• PCST5000 – previously SLST5000
• Underground Tanks URT3300 & URT5000

These tanks can no longer be ‘man-handled”off the truck due to their size and shape. ​​​​​​

Bushmans Tanks – 

Above Ground:

Steps 1-3 on pad

1. Prepare a reinforced concrete pad that is level and 300 mm wider than the diameter of tank OR prepare an earth ring 300mm wider than the diameter of the tank so that no part of the tank is bearing on the wall. Fill is to be consolidated fill with 50-75mm (2-3”) of sand or crusher dust on surface.
2. Tank is rolled to position (if position requires a crane this will be at purchaser’s expense).
3. Tank must be secured or water filled to 25mm to prevent blow-away (no responsibility taken for tanks being damaged in this manner).
   …go to steps 4 – 6.

Steps 1-3 on stand

1. Prepare a stand that has hardwood decking with gaps no grater than 25mm (1”). Decking should be supported structurally by bearers strong enough to prevent sagging of decking when tank is full.
2. Tank must be lifted into place by crane (if positioning requires a crane this will be at purchaser’s expense).
3. Tank must be secured or water filled to 25mm to prevent blow-away (no responsibility taken for tanks being damaged in this manner).
   …go to steps 4 – 6.

Steps 4-6 on pad or on stand

1. Water Inlet – Water should be directed into tank through the strainer. Fixed inlets must be suported and have flexible hose fitted (similar to outlet instructions). Inlet pipe must be supported by stand.
2. Water Outlet – Connect your outlet with flexible hose 300mm (12”) in length. The hose must be placed between the valve and all other plumbing or rigid pipe work. Elbow fittings must be used as shown (important: Water capacity of the inlet must equal water capacity of the overflow e.g. 2 x 100mm (4”) inlets = same capacity overflow).
3. Water Outlet – Overflow – Connect overflow. Water must be piped away from the tank.

In Ground:

1) Before commencing, check for underground pipes and ensure excavation work does not infringe on the weight bearing capacity of adjacent structures.  Excavate the hole in depth to allow for 50-75mm of bedding material and a maximum depth of 1/3 of the tank wall height. Excavate the hole in diameter to allow for a 150-200mm gap between the tank wall and the surrounding soil (the site is not suitable if there is water or if the floor of the hole is unstable). Spread washed river sand into the hole and compact it with a plate compactor, to provide a firm level base. Check that no rocks, roots or sharp objects penetrate the sand base.

2) Tank must be lowered into the hole squarely by crane (if positioning requires a crane this will be at purchaser’s expense).

3) Prior to starting to backfill, the tank must be filled with water to a level marginally above ground height. The soil taken from the hole must not be used as the backfill under any circumstances.  Spread a 200 -300mm layer of sand around the base of the tank. Manually compact the sand ensuring that all the voids are filled. Continue adding sand in 200-300mm layers, ensuring each time that it is well compacted into all areas until it comes to within 150mm of the surface. Restore remaining 150mm with fresh soil.

4) Water Inlet – water should be directed into tank through the strainer. Fixed inlets must be supported and have flexible hose fitted (similar to outlet instructions). Inlet pipe hose must be supported by stand.

5) Water Outlet – connect your outlet with flexible hose 300mm (12”) in length. The hose must be placed between the valve and all other plumbing or rigid pipe work. Elbow fittings must be used as shown (important: Water capacity of the inlet must equal water capacity of the overflow e.g. 2 x 100mm (4”) inlets = same capacity overflow).

6) Water Outlet – Overflow – connect overflow. Water must be piped away from the tank.

Bushmans Checklist

On-site delivery

• Check you’re prepared for our driver to position tank, drill outlets, fit taps & seal.
• Check there is suitable and safe site access (see preparing for delivery).
• Site must be prepared as per instructions.
• Check enough people are present to assist tank positioning (see table ‘assistance required’ below).
• Water is immediately available to put 25mm in tank to prevent blow-away.

Roll-off delivery

• Check there is suitable and safe site access (see preparing for delivery).
• Check enough people are present to assist tank positioning (see table ‘assistance required’ below).
• Water is immediately available to put 25mm in tank to prevent blow-away.
• Note instructions for roll-off delivery (see preparing for delivery).

Outlet Position

• Centre of outlet should be at a height of 115mm to ensure proper sealing.

Tools required

• Fitting and site preparation:
  • Pick, shovel, crowbar, level, drill, hacksaw, multigrips, ladder, electrical conduit (12mm), thread tape (plumbers tape)
• Hole saws and arbour:
  • 98mm(overflow), 63mm (2”) or 46mm (1”) (outlet), 22mm spade bit (1”) (moulded outlet).
  • Phillips screwdriver bit (our driver is trained to install tank fittings and carries the tools required for fitting)

Preparing for Delivery

This Easy Step Installation Guide will help you prepare for the arrival of your new Bushmans Tank.

Delivery & Safe Access

To have your tank delivered safely without damage, please ensure that you notify logistics if there is not sufficient space for an oversized semi-trailer or if there are any obstacles that the driver will need to consider. A minimum of 50m turning space is required, max dimensions of truck: 21m(L) x 2.5m(W) x 5.2m(H). Obstacles may include low power lines, gates, inaccessible roads, roundabouts, crossings, overhanging trees etc. Check our website to see our delivery areas. Our driver will need assistance at time of delivery to unload your tank from the truck. Please have able-bodied people available to assist. If assistance cannot be provided then hire or use of any equipment is at purchaser’s expense (i.e. crane hire, 4WD tractor, backhoe hire, front end loader hire).

Delivery Onsite

Onsite delivery is where our driver will help sit the tank only if the provided conditions are met as per the checklist. If you have followed the guidelines and the site is prepared and safe, our driver will install your tank.

Delivery Roll Off

Roll-off delivery is if the site is not prepared adequately. The tank will be dropped off so it can be installed at a later time. Check it is possible to roll the tank off without damage. When moving the tank into position avoid rough and sharp surfaces. Ensure the area to unload the tank is level and clear of building material. (Due to OH&S, drivers will not unload or transport the tank to the installation site, or leave the tank onsite if insufficient assistance or unsafe access is provided. The driver has the final decision to assess suitability of the site. Bushmans take no responsibility for tanks being damaged if site is unprepared. If delivery cannot be made to your site, Bushmans will automatically attempt delivery again at the purchaser’s expense.

Plumbing Fittings

Please advise prior to delivery if you need any extra Bushmans fittings or valves. Extra fittings are available upon request at additional cost. Check with local council for regulations relating to rain water tank installations. See fittings & accessories for more information. When plumbing the inlet, overflow or outlets, ensure allowances are made for the poly tank to move position, expand and contract. Typical PVC or metal fittings are relatively rigid and inflexible. (Purchase and delivery of any additional plumbing fittings and pipes are responsibility of purchaser. Our guarantee specifies a 300mm flexible hose be fitted to the outlet).

Securing your tank

When your tank arrives you must put at least 25mm (1”) of water into the tank. If water is not available, ensure that the tank is tied down to secure it from blow-away and damage (Bushmans take no responsibility for tanks being damaged if the tank is not secured properly). Water tank stands can be used but must be designed by a qualified consulting engineer (due to OH&S, our drivers and service people are not permitted to work at heights and therefore cannot assist in placing or servicing tanks on stands).

Bushmans Guarantee

If the steps in this guide are not followed, Bushmans guarantee is null and void.
Please note: Your tank cannot be unloaded without required assistance (the table above outlines the extra number of people required onsite at the time of delivery to assist in positioning the tank). Do not work alone or enter the tank as this is a confined space. Always wear safety gear and safety eye glasses when drilling. Do not lift the tank with water inside. Remember, your tank must be installed correctly to ensure long life, and so you do not void your guarantee.

Kingspan

CLEAR ACCESS TO SITE

Please provide a mud map for sites that are difficult
to find.
Our water tanks are delivered on a large rigid truck,
often with a large trailer attached. The combined vehicle
length is up to 19m. Please check that the site access
will allow the truck to park adjacent and that there is
sufficient area to turn around.
If there is not enough access your tank may still be able
to be delivered but any access issues must be informed
to the team prior to your tank leaving the factory.
CRANE TRUCK
If the access from the road to the tank base is not
suitable, a crane may be required. We can coordinate
delivery timing to meet your crane truck contractor on
site.
WIDE LOADS
Round tanks with a diameter and height over 2500mm
will form a wide load when secured on a truck.
Restrictions on traveling with a wide load vary from
state to state, so each load must be checked and
confirmed with our planning or logistics coordinator.
In some cases, wide loads may require permits, out of
hours travel, or pilot vehicles. Additional costs may be
incurred, and this will be quoted prior to acceptance of
the order.
UNLOADING TANKS
Our water tanks have an empty weight of between 50kg
and 400kg. The weight of a tank can be checked on our
website or by calling our office. Our delivery team will
be able to unload your water tank from the truck and
position it on your base, provided that:
• There is clear and reasonably flat access from
the road to the tank base;
• There is fair weather; and
• The base is prepared prior to the tank arriving,
and is in good condition

CLEAR ACCESS ON SITE
To ensure we are able to deliver your tank to slab or tank
base without damage, we need to have clear access.
Depending on where your tank is to be located;
beside the house or behind the house, there are many
considerations. We need space to manoeuvre the tank
down the side of a house, so approx. 100mm either side
of the tank (height and width) taking into account any
obstacles which may be in the way.
Other access concerns would be building site restricted
access, narrow steps or a steep sloping block. We would
appreciate any dogs or other animals being restrained to
prevent a trip hazard.
RE-DELIVERY
In the unfortunate event that your water tank cannot be
delivered on the scheduled date due to access issues,
a re-delivery will be scheduled for the next available
date. A re-delivery charge will apply.

Delivery of tanks