Mechanical vs hydraulic drum handling forklift attachments: why most operations choose mechanical

A practical comparison of mechanical and hydraulic drum handling forklift attachments — how they work, where each performs best, and why most operations choose mechanical

By Andy Bow, Managing Director, St Clare Engineering

When buyers start researching drum handling forklift attachments, one of the first questions they encounter is whether to go mechanical or hydraulic. It is a reasonable question, as both types grip and move drums, both attach to a forklift truck, and at first glance the choice can seem like a matter of preference.

In practice, the differences are significant. They affect how the attachment installs, how it performs day to day, what it costs to maintain, and how it holds up in demanding environments. This guide covers both types, sets out where each performs best, and explains why the majority of drum handling operations  across the UK and internationally choose mechanical.

If you would like a broader view before reading on, our Ultimate Guide to choosing the right drum handling attachment covers the full product selection process.

How mechanical drum handling attachments work

A mechanical drum handling attachment operates entirely through physical means using springs, levers, pivots, the weight of the drum and the movement of the forklift itself. There are no hydraulic connections to the forklift and no electrical systems involved.

For example, in a typical mechanical rim gripper, the gripping jaws are held open by springs. When the forklift drives the attachment down over the drum, the weight of the drum closes the gripping jaws automatically. When the load is set down, the springs release and the gripping jaws open. The operator does not need to leave the cab, and no auxiliary hydraulic or electrical supply is required.

Mechanical attachments can quickly and easily be attached to, or removed from, the fork truck forks. This means the fork truck can also perform other routine tasks such as moving loads and pallets.

The Grab-O-Matic range, manufactured by St Clare Engineering since 1959, operates on this principle. The entire range including rim grippers, waist grippers, base grippers, drum rotators and pedestrian drum handlers  is purely mechanical. The drum handling attachments attach and detach quickly from the truck forks, and the only ongoing maintenance requirement is occasional light lubrication.

How hydraulic drum handling attachments work

A hydraulic drum handling attachment uses the forklift’s auxiliary hydraulic circuit to power the gripping mechanism. The operator activates a lever in the cab, which sends hydraulic fluid to a cylinder on the attachment, opening or closing the grippers on command.

Hydraulic attachments are common in the broader forklift attachment market: sideshifters, clamps, rotators and load positioners are frequently hydraulic. For drum handling specifically, hydraulic attachments tend to be used where very precise grip pressure control is needed, or where the attachment also needs to perform a secondary powered function such as rotation or tilting under load.

Using hydraulic attachments requires a designated fork truck to carry out the task, as attaching and removing this type of attachment is more complex. Hydraulic drum clamps also generally clamp the sides of a drum, so each drum needs to be separated prior to handling with a hydraulic attachment.

St Clare Engineering does not manufacture hydraulic drum handling attachments. For customers who have a specific requirement for hydraulic operation, we refer them to our partner B&B Attachments, the leading hydraulic forklift attachment specialist in the UK and Ireland.

The key differences at a glance

Feature	Mechanical	Hydraulic
How it works	Springs, levers, weight and gravity — no power source needed	Powered by forklift auxiliary hydraulic circuit
Installation	Slides onto forks in seconds — no connections required	Requires connection to forklift hydraulic circuit
Forklift compatibility	Works with virtually any forklift truck	Requires designated forklift with auxiliary hydraulic spool valve
Operator control	Automatic grip on contact — opens on release	Cab-controlled open and close via lever
Maintenance	Minimal — occasional light oiling only	Regular fluid checks, seals, hoses and connections
Extreme temperatures	Unaffected — no fluids or electronics	Hydraulic fluid viscosity changes; performance can degrade
Hazardous / ATEX environments	Fully compatible — ATEX-rated stainless steel range available	Hydraulic fluid and electrics present additional ATEX considerations
Upfront cost	Lower	Higher
Running cost	Very low — no consumables beyond occasional oil	Higher — fluid, seals, periodic servicing
Downtime risk	Low — few moving parts, no fluids	Higher — leaks, seal failures, fluid contamination
LOLER inspection	Annual thorough examination required	Annual thorough examination required
Bespoke / custom options	Yes — wide range available from St Clare Engineering	Limited to specialist manufacturers

 

Both types require an annual thorough examination under LOLER. See our LOLER compliance guide for drum handling equipment for full details on inspection obligations.

Where mechanical attachments perform best

Mechanical drum handling attachments are well suited to the majority of industrial drum handling applications. The conditions where they particularly excel are:

1. Standard warehouse and production environments

For operations moving steel, plastic or fibre drums in controlled indoor environments, a mechanical attachment does everything required at lower cost and with less maintenance than a hydraulic alternative. The automatic gripping action is fast, reliable and requires no operator training beyond safe forklift operation.

2. Loading or unloading containers or lorries

Drums in containers or lorries are often stacked next to and on top of each other in a tight confined space, inaccessible to hydraulic systems. Mechanical attachments fitted with rim grip drum handlers can handle 1, 2, 3 or even 4 drums at a time, allowing the drums to be loaded or unloaded drums safely and efficiently.

3. Operations using mixed or non-specialist forklifts

Because mechanical attachments require no hydraulic or electrical connection, they fit virtually any forklift truck regardless of age, brand or specification. A hydraulic attachment will not function unless the forklift is fitted with a compatible auxiliary spool valve, which many older or smaller trucks do not have. If your operation uses multiple forklifts or replaces trucks on a regular cycle, mechanical attachments offer complete flexibility.

4. Outdoor and extreme climate environments

Hydraulic fluid viscosity changes with temperature: in cold conditions it thickens, slowing response; in heat it thins, reducing pressure. Seals and hoses become brittle in cold and degrade in heat. Mechanical systems are unaffected by temperature. Grab-O-Matic attachments are currently in daily use in desert environments exceeding 45°C and in sub-zero storage and processing facilities: the same attachment performs equally well in a heated UK warehouse or on an exposed loading dock in winter.

5. Hazardous and ATEX environments

In potentially explosive atmospheres such as chemical plants, fuel storage and pharmaceutical processing facilities, hydraulic fluid and electrical systems introduce additional complexity and cost under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR). Mechanical attachments generate no sparks, carry no fluid, and have no electrical components. St Clare Engineering’s ATEX-rated stainless steel drum handling range is designed specifically for hazardous environments and is purely mechanical.

6. Operations where simplicity and low running costs matter

The total cost of ownership for a mechanical drum handling attachment is substantially lower than for a hydraulic equivalent. There is no fluid to check or change, no hoses to inspect for leaks, no seals to replace, and no hydraulic circuit to service. In practice, a well-made mechanical drum handling attachment, used regularly and serviced annually, will give many years of reliable service with minimal intervention.

Where hydraulic attachments may be worth considering

Hydraulic drum handling attachments are not without merit. There are specific situations where the additional capability of a powered grip mechanism may be the right choice.

1. Where grip pressure needs to be precisely controlled

Some drums such as lightweight plastic containers, unusually shaped vessels, or drums with surface coatings sensitive to gripping force, benefit from the operator being able to control exactly how firmly the attachment grips. A mechanical attachment grips at a force determined by the weight of the drum and the drum’s geometry. A hydraulic attachment gives the operator direct control.

2. Where the attachment performs a powered secondary function

Hydraulic drum rotators and tippers use the forklift’s auxiliary circuit to rotate or tilt drums under power, which is useful where very heavy drums need to be emptied and a mechanical alternative is less practical.

3. Where the forklift fleet is already fully hydraulically equipped

If every forklift on site already has a compatible auxiliary spool valve, the integration argument for hydraulic attachment is stronger as the infrastructure is already in place.

If your requirement falls into any of these categories, we are happy to discuss it. For applications where hydraulic is the right answer, we work with B&B Attachments, whose range of hydraulic forklift attachments covers drum handling and a wide range of other applications.

What about electric drum handling attachments?

Electric drum handling attachments (where a battery-powered motor drives the gripping or tilting mechanism) exist but are relatively uncommon in the forklift attachment market. They share many of the limitations of hydraulic systems in demanding environments: battery performance drops in extreme temperatures, electrical components introduce ATEX considerations, and charging requirements add operational complexity. For most drum handling operations, mechanical or hydraulic attachments are the practical choice, and electric options are rarely specified.

The maintenance difference in practice

One of the most significant practical differences between mechanical and hydraulic drum handling attachments is the ongoing maintenance burden.

Mechanical Grab-O-Matic attachment: maintenance requirements

• Annual LOLER thorough examination and service: arranged with St Clare Engineering, collect-and-return, loan units available
• Occasional light lubrication of pivot points and moving parts: a few minutes, no specialist tools
• Visual pre-use check by the operator before each shift.

There are no fluids to top up, no hoses to inspect, no seals to replace and no risk of contamination from a hydraulic leak.

Hydraulic attachment: maintenance requirements

• Annual LOLER thorough examination and service
• Regular hydraulic fluid level checks
• Periodic fluid changes (hydraulic fluid degrades with use)
• Inspection and replacement of hydraulic hoses, which can crack, chafe or develop leaks
• Seal replacement as seals age and compress
• Checking and cleaning hydraulic couplings and connectors
• Investigation and repair when performance drops (often traced to fluid condition, seal wear or circuit blockage).

For a busy operation running attachments on multiple shifts, this maintenance difference compounds quickly. The HSE’s guidance on thorough examination of fork attachments confirms that both fork attachments and their associated lifting components are subject to LOLER inspection at 12-month intervals under LOLER Regulation 9. Hydraulic systems add complexity and may increase the cost and time involved in that examination.

It is also worth noting that under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), all work equipment (including drum handling attachments) must be suitable for the purpose and conditions in which it is used, and maintained in a safe condition. Choosing the right attachment type for your environment is part of meeting that obligation.

Which should you choose?

For the majority of industrial drum handling operations, such as chemical, food and drink, oil and gas, manufacturing and recycling,  a mechanical drum handling attachment is the right choice. It is simpler, more reliable, less expensive to buy and run, compatible with a wider range of forklifts, and better suited to extreme or hazardous environments.

The case for hydraulic is strongest where powered grip pressure control is genuinely needed, where the forklift fleet is already fully hydraulically equipped, or where a specific application demands powered secondary functions that a mechanical attachment cannot replicate.

St Clare Engineering has been manufacturing drum handling attachments since 1959 and has worked with customers across a wide range of sectors and environments. We can assess your requirements, recommend the right product, and  in the small number of cases where hydraulic is genuinely the better answer point you in the right direction.

To discuss your requirements, contact our team.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a mechanical and a hydraulic drum handling forklift attachment?

A mechanical drum handling attachment operates through springs, levers, weight and gravity — it requires no hydraulic or electrical connection to the forklift. A hydraulic attachment uses the forklift’s auxiliary hydraulic circuit, operated by a lever in the cab, to open and close the grippers.

Do mechanical drum handling attachments work on all forklifts?

Yes. Mechanical attachments require no hydraulic or electrical connection and fit virtually any forklift truck regardless of age, brand or specification. A hydraulic attachment requires a forklift fitted with a compatible auxiliary spool valve, which many older or smaller trucks do not have.

Which type of drum handling attachment is cheaper to run?

Mechanical attachments have significantly lower running costs. They require no hydraulic fluid, hoses or seals, and maintenance is limited to annual servicing and occasional lubrication. Hydraulic attachments require regular fluid checks, periodic fluid changes, and seal and hose replacement.

Are mechanical drum handling attachments suitable for ATEX hazardous environments?

Yes. Mechanical attachments have no electrical components and carry no hydraulic fluid, making them well suited to ATEX-classified areas. St Clare Engineering manufactures a dedicated ATEX-rated stainless steel drum handling range for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Which industries use mechanical drum handling attachments?

Mechanical drum handling attachments are used across chemical processing, food and drink production, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, warehousing, recycling and waste management, and distilling. They are suitable for any sector that handles steel, plastic or fibre drums regularly.

How does temperature affect mechanical vs hydraulic drum handling attachments?

Mechanical attachments are unaffected by temperature — they contain no fluids or electronics. Hydraulic fluid viscosity changes with temperature, slowing performance in cold conditions and reducing pressure in heat. Seals and hoses also degrade in extreme temperatures. Mechanical attachments are the preferred choice for outdoor, cold storage or high-temperature environments.

When would a hydraulic drum handling attachment be the better choice?

Hydraulic attachments are worth considering where precise grip pressure control is needed, where the forklift fleet is already fully hydraulically equipped with compatible spool valves, or where a powered secondary function such as rotation under load is required. For most standard drum handling operations, mechanical attachments are the more practical choice.

Can St Clare Engineering supply both mechanical and hydraulic drum handling attachments?

St Clare Engineering manufactures mechanical drum handling attachments only — the Grab-O-Matic range, made in Hampshire since 1959. For customers with a specific hydraulic requirement, we refer to our partner B&B Attachments, the UK and Ireland’s leading hydraulic forklift attachment specialist.

 

About the author Andy Bow Managing Director, St Clare Engineering Andy Bow is Managing Director of St Clare Engineering, the sole worldwide manufacturer of the Grab-O-Matic range of drum handling forklift attachments. St Clare Engineering has been designing and building mechanical drum handling equipment at its Hampshire facility since 1959. Andy has been the MD and owner of St Clare for almost 30 years, having previously worked in fabrication engineering and the aerospace industry.