Drum Caddies Clutchers Carts Racks And Grabs Compared

Move It Across The Floor: Drum Caddies

A caddy straddles the drum base and carries it on four wheels, so one operator pushes instead of walking the drum on its rim. The S&L caddy has a 26 by 16 inch straddle.

The rating depends on the wheel: 1,000 lb with mold-on-rubber, 1,200 lb with steel, poly-on-steel or phenolic. Choose the tread for the floor surface rather than for price.

Lift It With A Hoist: Drum Clutchers

A clutcher grips under the drum's rolling hoop and tightens as the lift comes on, so a hoist or crane can raise a sealed drum without a sling. Both S&L models are rated 1,000 lb, for 30 and 55 gallon steel drums, at 18 and 23 lb net weight.

The clutcher works on the chime of a steel drum, which means plastic and fibre drums need a different method entirely.

Lift It With A Fork Truck: Grabs And Lifters

Where the site has fork trucks but no overhead lifting, a fork attachment is the answer. S&L publishes two families.

The drum grabs S-S-55 and S-D-55 use a hinged folding arm design at 1,500 and 3,000 lb, weighing 109 and 185 lb. The FDG lifters are lighter at 45 lb and rated 800 lb, and FDG-30 is the only published S&L attachment for a 30 gallon drum.

Fork pocket dimensions differ between all three and are not adjustable, so measure the tines and carriage spread before ordering.

Pour From It: Rotating Drum Carts

A rotating cart holds the drum in a cradle, moves it and then turns it to a pouring angle where it stays put while one operator works the tap.

The RDC-1000 deluxe series is rated 1,000 lb on 5 inch wheels at 58 to 60 lb. The RDC-60 economy series is rated 800 lb and starts at 27 lb with no wheels fitted, for a dispensing point that never moves. Both offer an optional drip pan.

Store It: Stackable Drum Racks

Racks put drums on their side, which recovers floor space and places the bung low enough for a tap.

DRUM-RACK-2 holds two 55 gallon steel drums at 1,600 lb; DRUM-RACK-3 holds three at 2,400 lb. Both are 30 inches deep and 12-3/4 inches high and both stack.

A Typical Combination

A drum store that works usually runs three of the five together: racks for storage, a caddy or fork attachment to move drums in and out, and a rotating cart at the dispensing point.

Whatever the combination, the drum should never be lifted into a cradle or a rack by hand. Use the caddy, the clutcher or the fork attachment for that step.