Husky’s Standard VIII Nozzles now UL-Listed

With the goal to decrease dependence on other countries for petroleum, the U.S. has been encouraging the use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel blends. From a production of 25 million gallons in 2000, biodiesel production rose to 1.1 billion gallons in 2012. This represents a growing percentage of the U.S. diesel fuel market, which accounts for nearly 40 billion gallons in total. The biodiesel industry has been pushing its use not only because it is beneficial to the economy but also because it is environment-friendly.

Biodiesel is a renewable source of energy. It is manufactured from various plant oils such as soybean, canola, and cottonseed oil; animal fats from pork lard and beef tallow; and recycled cooking greases or oils. Using it will be advantageous to the environment as greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions are reduced. With that in mind, air pollution is also avoided, thus reducing toxic effects on human health and the environment.

What Biodiesel Fuel Nozzles to Use

Not all dispensing equipment is appropriate to be used with biodiesel; the same goes for other fuels. Certain chemicals have properties that just can’t go well with other materials. For instance, copper, lead, bronze, or tin accelerates diesel oxidation. As a fueling station owner, you have to make sure that your fueling equipment—especially your biodiesel fuel nozzles—are reliable and preferably made from aluminum, carbon, or stainless steel. This goes a long way in ensuring the safety of the consumers, your employees, and your whole business. 

Choose UL-listed Fuel Nozzles

Submitting products to UL for certification is not compulsory. But UL, a non-profit certifying body helps in safeguarding welfare by ensuring products are at par with the standards promoting safe living. Just recently, Husky’s Standard VIII Nozzles and Accessories have been listed for handling biodiesel blends. The fuel nozzles are perfect for truck stops, self-service locations that cater to high volume retailers, and unattended stations. Using dispensing equipment that is UL-listed ensures the sustainability and the reputation of your business. Using UL-listed products is a way to gain the customers’ trust and it also keeps you ahead of other fueling stations.

High-performance, American-made Fuel Nozzles and Accessories

For over 67 years, the Husky Corporation has been leading the way in fueling products innovation. Developing only the best, high-performing, cutting-edge, American-made products that are both safe for the consumer and the environment. With everything from conventional nozzles to flow equalizers and curb fueling hoses, rest assured that the array of products are made to be top-quality at the same time maintaining the most dependable customer service in the industry.

The Husky Nozzles

Through the years, Husky has never taken a step back from growing its reputation as an innovator, a breed apart from competitors, creating only the best automatic shut-off nozzles for every use. From the EZ-Connect nozzles, the most in-demand product in the industry today that’s exclusive to the Husky brand; to specialized nozzles for farms and convenience stores; and even the vapor-reducing nozzle that has lost its popularity, Husky still provides them for gas stations that demand quality from their equipment.

The list of fuel-dispensing products does not end with the conventional and common gas nozzles. It extends to trucks and high-volume dispensing for those tanks that require larger amounts of fuel at a quicker pace. There is also a nozzle that is specific for ethanol-based fuel, where the body is designed to prevent contamination and corrosion for ethanol blends. Even more unique nozzle needs are catered to, such as those for DEF products that come in both stainless steel and polymer nozzles.

Truly a Breed Apart

It’s Husky’s mission to deliver high-performing gas nozzles to the nation and the rest of the world. Because of this, customers are assured that all their nozzles are fitted with specifications required to do the job properly. The company takes pride in saying that their fueling products are manufactured to ensure that customer expectations aren’t only met, but exceeded. With the Husky brand, they can count on quality, safety, and reliability 100% of the time.

Bringing Back the Conventional Gas Nozzle

It was back in 2012 when the Obama administration and the EPA announced that the vapor-reducing gas nozzles were on their way down. That is a big shift from the implementation of this rubber boot in 1994 when it was declared that gas stations were not meeting quality air standards; at the same time, vapors from the fuel pumps contributed to the smog and over all air pollution.

It was in 2006 when car manufacturers incorporated on-board vapor capturing systems into cars, making rubberized pumps redundant and useless. However, to this day there are still some gas stations that use the vapor-reducing gas nozzles, which will hopefully change soon.

What the People Have to Say

The news of the switch back to the conventional gas nozzle has been considered a positive change by consumers. To them, the vapor-reducing nozzles were a hindrance rather than a convenience, as the rubberized nozzles did not fit the gas tank opening. Both car owners and motorists have experienced having trouble with the rubber-clad nozzles’ fitting, and in some extreme cases, the nozzles slipping out while they pump the gas. It comes as no surprise that when conventional nozzles were being brought back, more people were open to the switch.

Making the Switch Easier

One would think that making the change from the vapor-reducing gas nozzles would be both costly and difficult, but that’s not the case at all. Due to one of the many fueling products that Husky offers—namely, the EZ-Connect—the transition has been made easier. Husky’s EZ-Connect nozzle is a revolutionary product that comes pre-assembled, professionally tested, and fully warrantied.

The hassle of changing back to the old and yet much preferred gas nozzle is eliminated because Husky guarantees that the innovative and proudly American-made fueling products they provide are always of top quality. With technology like this, it won’t be long before gas stations nationwide make the change back to the conventional nozzles.

Safety in Fuel Dispenser Hoses

If you own or operate a fueling station, make sure the various fueling products being used are up to par. Dispenser hoses, for example, must be perfectly intact and leak-free at any given moment. While cost minimization can be one reason the more critical objective is safety. A hose in poor condition is an accident waiting to happen, so fueling station safety inspections should be regularly conducted. In 2013, dispenser hose condition was among the top five violations cited by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Weights, Measures and Consumer Protection.

Signs of Potentially Unsafe Dispenser Hoses

To avoid getting flagged for violations, do your own regular inspection of your hoses. Visual inspections should be focused on finding signs of damage: cracks, bulges, kinks, blisters, worn spots, and flat spots are some of the usual suspects. Daily equipment checks for dispensing hoses are recommended.

Causes of Damage

There are different factors that can contribute to damage in dispenser hoses. It could be the result of normal wear and tear: excessive bending in hoses can cause cracks leading to exposed hose fibers and fuel leaks. This is most evident near nozzle inlets and couplings, where hose contacts metal fittings. Customer handling can also cause hose damage; this is most likely at service stations with high customer traffic. Environmental factors, like sunlight and extreme temperatures, can also play a role as these can make rubber brittle and prone to cracking.

Best Practices

Aside from regular inspections, proper inventory and dispenser hose tracking should be maintained. Take note of when your hoses were installed, their recommended lifetime, or any irregularities and damage noted during the regular inspections. If there is any sign of damage on a hose, it is recommended that the dispenser be placed out of service.

When replacing hoses, or installing new ones for a new fueling station, go for the best quality parts you can find. Whether you expect strength and flexibility, durability against cuts and abrasions, or resistance to temperature-induced wear, Husky is able to provide hoses with the safety features appropriate for your station. If you need curb hoses, consider Husky’s Eagleflex® line of dispenser hoses. They also provide premier farm fueling hoses with similar quality specifications.

Dispensing hose quality is critical to the safe and consistent operation of any fueling station. But beyond that, all the equipment and accessories there should reach industry standards. With Husky, you can be assured of fueling products that meet or exceed expectations.