Drum Handling, Equipment and Storage

Drum Handling Equipment and Storage 

*Written by Don Goodwin 

The basic categories for drum handling equipment are dollies, cradles, lifters, carriers, and dumpers. For drum storage there are racks, cradle systems, and drum pallets. Drum dollies can be in a style very much like standard dollies, but designed to hold the round shape of drums. Although there are some variations of these dollies most function in a similar manor. Other styles of dollies can be round or oval carts that are pulled by a handle. The drum sits in the drum dolly in an upright position, and come in single and two drum models. Similar to this style of dolly is a drum cradle. The drum cradle looks somewhat like a wheel barrow without the bucket. The drum sits horizontal on the cradle then it is lifted and pushed by the handles. The drum cradles are a great option if you want to be able to pour from the drum as well as move it with one piece of equipment. Drum dollies can range in price from $50 - $600 depending on the type you need.

Drum lifters and drum carriers come in many different designs to fit specific needs of the user. There are simple lifters that have clamps that hook onto the top or sides of a drum then lifted with a forklift or hoist. There are some of these style lifters that are designed to be able to dump the drum while lifted as well. There is drum handling equipment designed specifically for use with a forklift. These style drum lifters usually lift the drum in one of two fashions. One works like a clamp, when the forklift drives up and places the drum between the lifter clamps they grab the drum to be moved. Another style has a clamp that grabs the top of the drum lid and a support at the bottom to keep the drum upright. Other drum lifters work similar to a pallet truck, except instead of forks it is made with a drum clamp for moving the drums. There are drum lifters that are designed to be used by one person to make the job of lifting moving and dumping the drum contents easy for just one worker. Drum lifters can range in price from $55 to $4,000 depending on the type of lifter or carrier.

Drum Dumpers can be mobile or stationary units. A drum dumper is used by placing a drum in the "U" shaped chute and clamped in place. An operator uses a hand control pendant to have the dumper lift and tilt the drum. When lifted and tilted the contents flow down the chute into the desired receptacle. Drum dumpers can range in price from $2,500 to $9,000 depending on the size of drum it will handle and the size of the dumper.

When it comes to drum storage there are drum racks, drum cradle systems, and drum pallets. Drum racks are basic metal frames that are curved to old the shape of a drum turned horizontally. These racks can be mobile as well as stationary units. These steel drum racks can come in models to hold 2 - 16 drums. Drum cradle systems are for the user that wants to store drums and be able to get the contents while in storage. They usually come with a housing that will hold any spills that may occur while pouring out the drum contents. These come in units designed to hold 2 - 4 drums. They also have other options like snap on trays to hold a bucket that drum contents may be poured into. Drum racks can range in price from $100 to $900 depending on the number of drums you need the rack to hold.

Drum pallets can come in styles that are a simple plastic tray, to models that have spill containment capabilities. Most drum pallets come in models to hold 1 - 4 drums. They range in price from $75 to $200 depending on the type of drum pallet you want.

The main things to keep in mind when trying to choose any type of drum handling or storage equipment is the type of drum you will be using (size, metal, fiber, plastic) how often you will be using the equipment. Another important factor is if you will need equipment that allows one person to complete the task you need done.

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