Tank car, truck, and ship loaders pump liquids from storage tanks to vehicles.

Loaders use material moving equipment to transfer chemical and solids such as:

• Sand
• Coal
• Fuel
• Grain

They attach hoses to tanks filled with liquid and pump compressed air into the tank to force the contents into the vehicle's tank. They coordinate with other workers to make sure products flow at a constant rate. Sometimes they use blenders and heaters to make liquids easier to transfer.

Loaders test full tanks for any issues, such as leaks. Sometimes they test samples or send samples to labs for testing. They test outlet valves on tank cars, barges, or trucks. They repair or replace defective values and parts.

Loaders check the content, temperature, and volume of the liquid load by reading meters. They correct problems by adjusting cooling controls or reducing the amount of liquid.

Loaders make sure the numbers on tank cars, barges, or truckloads match the instructions they receive. This ensures that products are loaded into or from the proper vehicles. They copy information about the load and attach it to the tanks.

Loaders keep records of the types and amounts of products pumped. They also record gauge readings and how long it takes to load or unload vehicles.