Fork Mounted Drum Grabs
Fork Mounted Drum Grabs
A fork mounted drum grab slides onto the forks of a truck you already own and turns it into a drum handler. S&L lists two models: S-S-55 for a single…
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Material Handling · Fork Mounted Drum Grabs
FDG Fork Mounted Drum Lifters For 30 and 55 Gallon Drums
The FDG lifters are the light end of the S&L fork mounted range: 45 lb, rated 800 lb, and the only fork attachment in the range published for 30 gallon drums as well as 55 gallon.
Product Overview
What This Product Is and Where It Fits
Weight is the reason to choose an FDG over a drum grab. At 45 lb one person lifts it on and off the tines, which matters on a truck that has other work to do between drum movements.
The usable fork opening is 5-1/2 inches wide by 2-1/2 inches high on both models, narrower than either of the drum grabs. Check the tine section before ordering: a tine that will not enter the pocket makes the attachment useless.
FDG-30 is the only attachment S&L publishes for 30 gallon drums. Sites that run the smaller drum size and have been improvising with a 55 gallon grab have a correct product here.
Both models are rated 800 lb, which carries a full 55 gallon drum of oil at roughly 450 lb with clear margin, but is well below the 1,500 lb of the single drum grab.
Key Benefits
Three Reasons Buyers Specify This Line
Light enough to fit and remove by hand
45 lb, so the truck is not committed to drum work for the whole shift.
A correct attachment for 30 gallon drums
FDG-30 is the only published S&L fork attachment for the smaller drum size.
Same fork opening on both models
5-1/2 by 2-1/2 inches, so one truck covers both drum sizes.
Application Scenarios
- Occasional drum movements on a general purpose fork truck
- Sites running 30 gallon drums
- Small drum stores where a full grab is more than the job needs
- Secondary trucks used for drum work between other tasks
Who It Is For
- Operations with occasional rather than continuous drum handling
- Sites standardising on 30 gallon drums
- Buyers who want a fork attachment one person can fit
Problems It Solves
- Heavy attachments left on a truck that needs to do other work
- No correct attachment for a 30 gallon drum
- Drum handling equipment sized well above the actual load
- Fork pockets that do not suit the tines on a smaller truck
Technical Features
What Is Actually Published For This Line
FDG-55
55 gallon drums, 800 lb capacity, 45 lb net weight.
FDG-30
30 gallon drums, 800 lb capacity, 45 lb net weight.
5-1/2 by 2-1/2 inch usable fork opening
Identical on both models.
800 lb capacity
Published rating for both drum sizes.
Specifications
Fork Mounted Drum Lifters Specification Table
Every figure below is transcribed from the specification sheets S&L published for this line. Where a figure is not published, it is marked rather than estimated.
| Model | Acceptable Drum Sizes | Capacity lbs | Usable Fork Opening | Net Weight lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDG-55 | 55 Gallon | 800 | 5-1/2" W x 2-1/2" H | 45 |
| FDG-30 | 30 Gallon | 800 | 5-1/2" W x 2-1/2" H | 45 |
Source: S&L drum gripper sheet published by S&L Dock Equipment.
Materials
Materials and Finish
Welded steel frame and fork pockets with a drum gripping arrangement. Finish confirmed at quotation.
ManufacturingHow It Is Made
Fork pockets and frame are welded to the published opening dimension, the gripping arrangement fitted, then the lifter is cleaned and finished.
Quality Control
What Is Checked Before Packing
Fork opening is measured on every unit against the size sheet and the gripping action is function tested on a drum of the rated size.
CertificationsCertification Status
No third-party certification is published for Fork Mounted Drum Lifters in S&L's own documentation, so this page marks it TBC at quotation rather than implying one. A fork attachment is usually covered by the same lifting regime as the truck. Capacity and fork pocket dimensions are published; a test certificate is agreed at quotation.
Customisation
Options Within The Published Range
- 30 or 55 gallon drum size
- Finish confirmed at quotation
- Fork opening confirmed against the truck before production
Comparison
How It Compares With The Alternatives
| Option | When To Choose It |
|---|---|
| FDG-55 and FDG-30 lifters | 800 lb, 45 lb net, 5-1/2 by 2-1/2 inch fork opening, 30 or 55 gallon drums. |
| S-S-55 and S-D-55 drum grabs | 1,500 and 3,000 lb, 109 and 185 lb net, hinged folding arms, 55 gallon only. |
| Drum clutcher | 1,000 lb for a hoist or crane instead of a fork truck. |
Use Guide
Getting It Right On Site
- Measure the tine section against the 5-1/2 by 2-1/2 inch opening before ordering
- Fit the lifter to the tines and secure it before approaching a drum
- Keep the load within the 800 lb rating, which is lower than the drum grabs
- Remove the lifter when the truck returns to pallet work rather than leaving it fitted
Questions
Fork Mounted Drum Lifters Questions
What is the capacity?
800 lb on both FDG-55 and FDG-30.
What is the usable fork opening?
5-1/2 inches wide by 2-1/2 inches high on both models.
Which model handles 30 gallon drums?
FDG-30. It is the only published S&L fork attachment for that drum size.
How heavy is the lifter?
45 lb for both models.
When should I choose a drum grab instead?
When the load exceeds 800 lb, when you want to lift two drums at once, or when the hinged folding arm approach suits the way your store is laid out.
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Further Reading
Quote Fork Mounted Drum Lifters By Model Code
Measure your fork tines and carriage spread first. A fork attachment that does not fit the truck is the one mistake that cannot be corrected after delivery.