Valves, threads and caps on a used tote
A used tote’s outlet is usually a 2-inch quarter-turn butterfly valve. Check that it turns, that it seals and what thread it has before you buy an adapter, a camlock or a hose fitting.
01A buyer’s checklist
- The valve handle: it should turn a quarter turn between shut and open without sticking.
- The valve body: no cracks, no weeping at the seat, no missing gasket.
- The thread: the outlet’s thread decides which adapter fits. It is often a coarse thread; measure it, or photograph it against a ruler.
- The cap: a missing outlet cap is a leak and a contamination path.
- The lid and vent: the fill opening needs a lid that seats, and a vent keeps the bottle from collapsing as it drains.
02What goes on the outlet
| Fitting | What it does | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Adapter | Goes from the outlet thread to a hose or pipe thread | The thread on the tote and the thread you need |
| Camlock | A quick-connect for a transfer hose | The size and the gasket |
| Ball valve | A second shutoff after the butterfly | The pressure and the product |
| Cap | Seals the outlet when the tote is not in use | It seats and is not cracked |
| Lid | Seals the fill opening | A vent, if the lid does not vent itself |
03Weeping valves
A valve that weeps when shut is a reason to say so on the ticket. A tote with a failing valve can still serve a dry use or go to recycling. A bad valve is also a reason a tote moves down the ladder from reconditioned to damaged, because a valve that will not seal makes the tote one that cannot hold its contents.
04Say it on the ticket
A buyer who needs a particular thread, or a seller who knows the valve is a particular one, should say so in the note. The desk asks the other side. Buying with the valve in mind saves an adapter hunt.
?Questions on this page
What size is an IBC tote valve?
Usually 2 inches, a quarter-turn butterfly valve.
What is a camlock?
A quick-connect coupling that locks with two cam arms, used on transfer hoses.