A drum handler, also called a drum clamp, is an attachment that grips one or more industrial drums so a forklift can pick them up, move and position them securely.
Liftronic Machinery supplies drum handlers for sale in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and across the UAE, for warehouses, manufacturing plants, chemical and process industries, logistics and recycling.
The right drum handler depends on the drum type, diameter, weight, number of drums, gripping method, attachment weight, load centre, forklift capacity and carriage, not on forklift tonnage alone.
Drums are cylindrical, heavy and hard to stabilise on plain forks. A purpose-built drum handler grips the drum, so it can be picked up, moved, positioned, loaded and unloaded, one drum or several at a time, with far less manual drum handling.
Steel, plastic and fibre drums
Steel drums need a gripping mechanism suited to their dimensions and construction. Plastic drums vary in shape, wall and rim design, and fibre drums need different handling again. Where drums contain chemicals or other industrial substances, the drum's condition, weight and required movement must be assessed carefully, and flammable or volatile contents call for explosion-proof equipment.
Use the attachment only for the drum types and applications it is designed and rated for.
Single, double or multiple drum handling
Single-drum handlers suit controlled handling of one drum at a time. Double-drum versions speed up repetitive movement of two drums, and multiple-drum attachments can handle more, depending on the model. Every extra drum adds weight, so the forklift's available capacity must be checked against the combined load, not the weight of one drum.
The measurements that matter
Outside drum diameter, minimum and maximum
Drum height
Maximum filled drum weight, not the empty weight
Drum material: steel, plastic, fibre or other
Rim or lip dimensions, where the grip depends on them
Number of drums per lift
Handling orientation: upright or another position
Key drum handler specifications
Specification
What to confirm
Typical capacity range
220 – 880 kg
Drums per lift
One, two, four or more, depending on model
Drum diameter range
Must cover your drums
Rated capacity
Permissible drum load
Gripping mechanism
Must suit the drum type and rim
Options
Side shift, 360° rotation for emptying, explosion-proof versions
Attachment weight and load centre
Decide the forklift's available capacity
Carriage class and mounting
Must match the forklift
Hydraulic requirement
Depends on the attachment design
Actual specifications must be confirmed against the selected attachment model.
Drum handler capacity
Check capacity at two levels: the attachment and the forklift. A drum handler has its own rated capacity, but the forklift's available capacity may be lower once attachment weight, load centre, drum weight, lift height, mast configuration, forklift model and the number of drums are taken into account. For a two-drum handler, the calculation must use the weight of both drums.
Drum handler compatibility
Forklift: Brand, model, rated capacity, mast type and lift height.
Carriage: Carriage class, dimensions and mounting arrangement.
Hydraulics: Available functions, connections, pressure and flow, and controls.
Drums: Weight, diameter, height, number, material and handling orientation.
Physical fit alone does not establish safe or suitable compatibility.
Drum handling safety
Drums can contain heavy or hazardous materials. Before lifting, check the drum's condition and contents, grip security, attachment and residual capacity, load centre, orientation, working surface, operator visibility and travel speed. Damaged, leaking or unstable drums need proper site procedures, and should not be handled simply because an attachment can grip them.
Buying a drum handler in the UAE
Drum handlers are supplied for regular drum handling once the drum diameter, weight, type, number, gripping mechanism, forklift capacity and hydraulics are confirmed.
New, used and refurbished drum handlers may be available. Condition, inspection and refurbishment scope are confirmed for each attachment.
