What Kind of Drum Cradle Do You Need?
Drum cradles are useful for temporary, semi-portable storage and dispensing of filled drums. The main idea, of course, is to get the drum from vertical to horizontal so you can drain the contents. You have questions? We have all the answers!
Q: I have some lubricating oils and coolant fluids in 55 gallon drums. Do I need a cradle or something else?
A: If you have a few drums that will be accessed frequently for five or ten gallons, and you’d like to keep the drum nearby to where the contents will be used, a drum cradle is ideal. If you have many drums to be stored in one location, you should consider a drum rack.
Q: I have ten or fifteen drums of products. Do drum cradles make sense?
A: Drum cradles are great for distributing and locating the drums in multiple locations around the factory. No need to go to a central location to obtain the fluids you need.
Q: Are there different cradles for different drums?
A: Yes. Most cradles, like our Model DSPU-H will accommodate 55 and 30 gallon drums, and some models like our Model W12R will also handle 15 gallon drums.
Q: Are cradles easy to use?
A: Most cradles are equipped with a chime hook that catches the top rim of the drum, and one or two tipping handles. The tipping handles give much more leverage in tipping the filled drum into the horizontal position. Twin tipping handles like our Model W12P also let you more easily move the drum into position.
Also, a cradle with wheels allows you move the drum into just the right position for your needs.
Model 45VR is a useful combination of a cradle and a drum truck. It has a nylon strap that positively secures the top of the drum to the cradle and large diameter wheels in your choice of rubber, steel, or polyethylene that you can use almost anywhere. Model 45P-KS-B is a great option for plastic and fiber drums.
Q: Does the kind of wheels matter?
A: Definitely. If your floor is smooth concrete, 2” or 3” diameter wheels and casters are fine. If the floor is rough or cracked, you’ll want larger 5” or larger wheels. Most cradles give you a choice of steel, rubber, or polyethylene wheels. Rubber wheels are better for rough surfaces, and the poly wheels work better in areas that are wet with chemicals.
Q: Once I have the drum on the cradle how do I get product out?
A: Before tipping the drum to horizontal, you’ll need to install a faucet in the drum. For thin, free-running liquids use a ¾” faucet. For thicker, heavier liquids use a 2” faucet. Deluxe cradles like the Model W12P have rollers built into the frame that allow you to rotate the horizontal drum so the faucet points down.
Q: What can I use to drain product into?
A: Most drum cradles have a 14” or 15” drain height, which will accommodate a 5 gallon pail under the rim.
Q: Should I be concerned about leaks and spills?
A: It’s always a good idea to prevent an occasional drip or a massive leak from spreading product all over your floor and possibly reaching a floor drain. Some cradles, like Model CWO10 can be equipped with an optional drip-pan (Model DT413) to handle non-flammable products. We also offer a range of absorbent drip trays that will work with any cradle.
Finally, you should consider secondary containment for any of your stored drums. Model PD5300 is an all-polyethylene cradle that provides EPA-required containment of a leak or spill.
