The IFH Group has pioneered the use of aluminized steel in hydraulic oil reservoirs and fuel tanks for off-road and specialty vehicles used in agricultural, construction, utility and a range of other rugged off-highway applications. Aluminized steel – sheet steel hot dip coated on both sides with an aluminum-silicon alloy – is designed to economically solve the contamination problems inherent in uncoated steels by combining the corrosion resistance of aluminum with the structural strength (and lower cost) of steel.

Aluminized steel reservoirs are resistant to virtually all petroleum-based and synthetic fluids while providing protection from atmospheric corrosion.

Each reservoir and tank is customized to meet customer designs and applications, and is available in capacities from 1 to more than 300 gallons. “Custom made hydraulic reservoirs have an advantage over off-the-shelf units because they are designed to fit the exact space and technical requirements necessary for the optimal performance of the end product,” according to Ryan McCarty, Director of Sales for The IFH Group. “When you’re 100 feet in the air working on 500 KV transmission lines from a telescopic aerial work platform, nothing less than 24/7 360-degree optimal performance will do.”

The IFH Group manufactures reservoirs and tanks as well as custom fluid containers and tanks of all types in a range of materials including mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum as well as aluminized steel. “We use whichever material is best suited to the application,” added McCarty, “whether it’s a forklift, combine, boom crane or a specialized military vehicle.”

All reservoirs and tanks are delivered clean and pressure-tested. Once the tank or reservoir is finished, the company can provide powder coating, CARC (chemical agent resistant coating) and sub-assembly, including the addition of component parts such as fill caps, filters, sight gauges, sending units, hoses and more. “We offer everything from a simple two-part tank strap to hydraulic reservoir tanks with more than 60 different parts,” noted McCarty. “The more we can do for our customers, the fewer vendors they need to use, which makes running their business simpler and easier.”

The IFH Group provides on-site design and assembly assistance, as well as standardization of the materials and components required in customers’ reservoirs and tanks to maintain a broad inventory at The IFH Group’s factory, ready for immediate build, quick assembly and fast delivery.