Forklift Drum Handlers - Buyers Guide

Why use a forklift drum grabs ?

Fitting a forklift drum handler to the forks of your forklift offers a convenient way of utilising your forklift truck to pick up and transport drums safely without the need for manual handling.

What type of drum handlers are there ?

We can offer a wide range of drum handlers depedant upon your application. For the purpose of lifting and transporting your drums using a forklift, we offer a range of drum grabs and drum lifters. Our drum grabs and drum lifters when fitted to your forklift will either lift the drum around the middle or grip the drum around the lip.  Both methods will provide a safe, simple yet effective solution for drum handling. For turning and empting drums again we offer a range of drum rotators and drum tippers, these again can be fitted to your forklift truck or in this instace can also be fitted to an overhead crane. Our drum rotators will offer safe means of controlled and effortless pouring of drum contents.

Will the drum handler fit my forklift ?

Our range of forklift drum handlers are designed to fit onto the forks of conventional fork trucks. The main things to check when ordering a drum handler to fit your forklift are the width and thickness of your truck forks (Our fork mounted drum handlers primarily designed to suit a maximum size of 140x50, Big Pockets are available on some drum handlers, the maximum fork spread of your truck (our drum handling equipment all have different fork spreads  - details are given on the product page), The capacity of your truck (It is important that the combination of drum handler attachment and load do not exceed the forklifts rated load capacity). It is important to confirm if you have a conventional forklift or another type such as a Reach truck or Pedestrian Stacker as these may have fitment issues. Do not worry if your truck is not suitable with the standard model! We have a bespoke design service to cater for any non-standard configurations.

How does the drum handler fit my forklift ?

The forklift drum handlers are very simple to fit onto a forktruck. Fork pockets allow the truck forks to be driven straight in, once fully inserted the drum handler  can be moved. Models are either fitted with a retaining chain which is wrapped around the carriage or forks of the truck or screw downs which clamp onto the forks to ensure safety.

Will the drum handler fit on my crane ?

Our  crane slung drum handlers are designed to fit directly onto a sling hook. Some drum handlers  also have fork pockets to allow duel suitability. The main things to check when ordering a drum handler to fit your crane is the capacity of your crane (It is important that the combination of drum handler attachment and load do not exceed the cranes rated load capacity). Do not worry if your crane is not suitable with the standard model! We have a bespoke design service to cater for any non-standard configurations.

What documentation does the drum handler come with ?

Our drum handling equipment has been manufactured over many years and have been continuously developed to meet all health and safety issues and regulations that can be related to operating this type of product. All drum handles are supplied CE marked with a certificate of conformity & test certificate. All drum handlers  are supplied with operating instructions.

Will the drum handle be suitable for my drum ?

When selecting a drum handler for your application, it is important to ensure that you are certain of the drum type and size that’s being handled. Drums are available in different volumes (e.g. 210 litre (45 Gallon) or 120 Litre (25 Gallon)) if you are unsure about your drum volume or whether it is a standard size it is always best to measure the drum diameter and height and let us know. Drums are also available in different styles (e.g. Steel, Plastic, Fibre & Mauser). To help you identify the style of each drum we have a drum chart on each product section. Each Product table identifies the type of drum that the drum handler will handle.

Summary – Important checks

• Ensure the size of the forks on the forklift is suitable for the fork entry pockets on the forklift drum handler
• Ensure the forks on the forklift truck can be adjusted apart sufficiently to accommodate the spacing of the fork entry pockets on the forklift drum handler
• Ensure the forklift truck is of the counterbalanced variety (other styles of forklift trucks may require a more tailor made forklift platform)
• Ensure the combination of drum handler attachment and load do not exceed the forklifts rated load capacity
•  Ensure the correct drum handler is ordered to suit the correct style of drum it is lifting

Why Purchase our Forklift Drum Handlers ?