Tips to Choose the Right Drum Handling Equipment
Many industries today such as wastewater, chemical, and F&B need drum handling equipment.
For this reason, there are various drums but the 55-gallon drums are the international standard. Regardless, drums must be safely handled with specialized equipment.
So not only are they cheap, drums can be recycled and re-purposed. Thus you must handle them the right way.
Refer: Safety Procedures by (DOSH) Malaysia
How to Choose the Right Drum Handling Equipment
How do you lift a heavy drum?
Have you seen drums transported with a forklift carelessly?
Ever seen drums being rolled on its rim?
Maybe a drum being rolled down a makeshift ramp?
Or how about mixing drum contents by rolling it on the floor?
Have you ever done any of the above??
One full 55-gallon drum can reach a whopping 907kg! So it’s better to leave the heavy lifting to the drum handling equipments.
Filled drums are extra difficult to handle because their contents make it unstable. Then top that with limited space, uneven flooring or unkempt housekeeping, you’ll be too grumpy to work!
But your mood should be the least of your worries because mishandling drums poses severe threats.55
Examples such as musculoskeletal pain and injured body parts can easily happen. Also, the damages and spills will ‘damage’ your pocket.
So choose 55 gallon drum handling equipment suited for the job.
Read: 8 Dangerous Risks of Drum Handling (2020)
What are the types of industrial drums?
Because of their circular shape and weight, you need specialized 55 gallon drum handling equipment. Therefore, there are various types of drum lifiting equipment for diverse functions.
| Model | Function | |||
| Transport | Lift | Tilt | Rotate | |
| Drum Cradler | / | / | ||
| Drum Carrier | / | / | / | |
| Drum Handler | / | / | / | |
| Drum Porter | / | |||
| Drum Truck | / | / | ||
| Drum gripper (forklift attached) | / | / | ||
| Drum positioner (forklift attached) | / | / | / | |
| Drum rotator (forklift attached) | / | / | / | / |
| Drum grab (forklift attached) | / | / | ||
| Overhead drum clamp (forklift/hoist attached) | / | / | ||
| Overhead drum lifter (forklift/hoist attached) | / | / | ||
| Overhead drum rotator (forklift/hoist attached) | / | / | / | / |
Which drum handling equipment should I buy?
Each 55 gallon drum lifting device is designed with specific features and capacities. Hence, take your time to decide which 55 gallon drum handler you need.
But, if you only need to transport drums, you should buy a drum handling hand truck. However, it is important that the drum is secure in place. So, using a pallet truck or pallet jack will not suffice.
Moreover, drum handling equipment forklift attachment is better to save space. Also, you can control the tilt of the drums with a forklift overhead drum lift.
How do you handle a 55 gallon drum?
Now that you know how to handle drums correctly, have you been mishandling your drums?
Remember, it is the employer’s responsibility to provide a safe working environment. Especially when dealing with drums with chemicals or hazardous material.
Thus, by buying steel drum handling equipment that is reliable and durable, operations are smoother. So explore our line of drum equipment so you can make an informed decision.
Suggested read: 7 tips to choose the perfect handling equipment
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