Plastic drums are widely used in industries like chemical processing, food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. They are a good choice for storing liquids, dry goods and even hazardous materials. But when it comes to handling plastic drums, companies often face challenges. Our plastic drum forklift attachment makes easy work of handling plastic drums, improving safety and efficiency.

In this article, we’ll cover the benefits of using a forklift attachment designed to accommodate plastic drums. We’ll also highlight the different types available for Mauser drums (open top plastic with deep black lids), other plastic drums and Plastic ‘L’ ring drums.

Why use a plastic drum forklift attachment?

Plastic drums are durable and versatile but can present unique handling challenges. Their shape and heavy weight when filled can make them difficult to manage manually. Delicate or hazardous contents can add to handling difficulties.

A purpose-built plastic drum forklift attachment offers a practical solution, enabling forklifts to securely grip, lift, rotate and transport plastic drums without the risk of dropping them or causing damage. Key benefits include:

  • Enhanced safety: forklift attachments designed for handling plastic drums reduce the risk of injuries and spills, particularly when dealing with heavy or hazardous materials.
  • Operational efficiency: using the right fork truck drum handling attachments speeds up loading and unloading, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual handling.
  • Reduced labour costs: by mechanising drum handling, companies can minimise manual labour, cutting costs and reducing strain on employees.

Choosing the right plastic drum forklift attachment

St Clare Engineering has a range of drum handling forklift attachments to suit any drum. Our attachments are designed and built for durability and are easy to mount on your forklift truck. The following attachments are designed to work effectively when handling plastic drums:

Forklift attachments for Open Top Plastic (Mauser) Drums

Mauser drums feature a blow moulded drum body and injection moulded lid. Their tapered ‘egg shape’ means they can be difficult to handle and may require special equipment. St Clare Engineering offers Mauser drum compatible versions of our drum handling fork attachments, with clamping mechanisms specifically engineered for handling this style of plastic drum:

  • Rim gripping drum handling attachment fitted with gripping heads HD-1 SS/AL or HD-4 SS/AL (twin head). These Mauser drum grabs for single or double drum handling are suitable for handling open top plastic ‘egg shaped’ drums where the base diameter is smaller than the diameter of the drum, and the drum has a deep black lid with securing ring. The rim grippers are suitable for all diameters and sizes of Mauser drums.
  • Base gripper drum handling attachment 1-DLR-GB or 2-DLR-GB (double drum handler). Mauser drums can also be lifted using these base gripping units. Base grippers suit one size of drum only: both these versions are suitable for handling 210 litre open top plastic or Mauser drums.
  • We can also manufacture Special Base Grippers to suit other types and sizes of open top plastic drums which cannot be handled by a rim gripper or any other method. Please contact us for more details.

Forklift attachments for Plastic ‘L’ Ring drums

Plastic L-Ring drums, also called tight head or closed head drums, are heavy-duty drums manufactured from high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. The drums usually have bung holes, smooth sides and a moulded top with an ‘L’ shaped rim.

  • Rim Gripper drum handling attachment. This type of plastic drum can be handled using standard Grab-O-Matic rim grip forklift truck attachments. For single or double drum handling you can use the standard HD-1 gripping head. For very heavy drums, use our twin head gripping attachment HD-4 to spread the load on the rim.
  • Plastic L-Ring drums can also be lifted and handled using other Grab-O-Matic systems, including Drum Handling Rotators, and Pedestrian Drum Handlers.

Quick release attachments for plastic drums

Don’t forget, we also offer our Quick Release System, which can be used with any of these drum handling attachments. This unique safety innovation eliminates the need for the forklift truck driver to dismount from the cab – saving time and increasing safety.

Which industries use plastic drums?

Companies across many different industries have found that using a plastic drum forklift attachment significantly streamlines operations. Examples include:

  • Chemicals: industrial chemicals, detergents, solvents and acids are frequently stored in plastic drums due to their chemical resistance.
  • Food and beverage products: ingredients like syrups, oils, flavourings and bulk dry goods such as grains and spices are often stored in food-grade plastic drums.
  • Pharmaceuticals: raw materials, intermediates and liquid pharmaceuticals are stored in plastic drums, ensuring safe and contamination-free storage.
  • Water and other liquids: Plastic drums are used for storing drinking water, emergency water supplies, and various liquids like cleaning solutions.
  • Oils and lubricants: motor oil, hydraulic fluids and other industrial oils are commonly stored in steel or plastic drums, benefiting from their durability and leak resistance.
  • Hazardous materials: certain hazardous materials, including regulated waste products and biohazard substances, are stored in specially designed plastic drums that meet safety standards.
  • Agricultural products: fertilisers, pesticides and animal feed are stored in plastic drums, providing protection from environmental factors and contamination.

Conclusion

St Clare Engineering’s plastic drum forklift attachments are valuable tools that can enhance safety, efficiency and productivity in any environment where plastic drums are handled. If your facility handles plastic drums regularly, investing in a plastic drum forklift attachment can transform your operations.

Explore our range of plastic drum handling attachments, or consult with one of our experts to determine which solution best fits your needs. Contact us on:

Andy Bow – St Clare Engineering Ltd
Tel: 02380 643402
Fax: 02380 642189
Email: sales@stclare-engineering.co.uk
Web: www.stclare-engineering.co.uk