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Davenport, IA 52806
Des Moines, IA
2276 NE 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
Drum Grippers
Overview
A drum gripper is a forklift attachment that clamps onto a drum and allows the operator to lift, lower, and transport it without manual handling. These tools are designed to securely grip the body or rim of a drum using mechanical clamping action, giving forklift operators the ability to handle heavy drums with precision and control.
Barron Equipment carries drum grippers that accept a range of drum sizes, including 30, 55, and 85 gallon drums in steel, plastic, and fiber construction. Whether you need to load drums onto pallets, move them between storage areas, or position them at workstations, a properly matched gripper turns your existing forklift into a versatile drum handling system.
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“Drum Gripper – Multiple Materials, Weight Capacities, and Drum Sizes Available”
Item ID: DGD-PPFrom $481.77 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
“Drum Gripper – Accepts 30, 55 & 85 Gal Drums (Steel, Plastic & Fiber) – 1000 Lb Capacity – 34 In. L x 27.75 In. W x 9.5 In. H”
Item ID: DGS-AG$822.57 Add to cart -
Drum Gripper – Compatible with Multiple Drum Sizes
Item ID: FDG-PPFrom $276.12 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Drum Gripper – For 55 Gal Drums (Steel & Poly) – 700 Lb Capacity – 65.13 In. L x 31 In. W x 32.5 In. H
Item ID: DGPS-55-SCL$3,003.26 Add to cart
Features & Benefits
Drum grippers from Barron Equipment use a mechanical gripping mechanism that engages automatically when the forklift raises the attachment. As the drum is lifted, the gripper arms tighten around the drum body, creating a firm and stable hold. When the drum is set down, the grip releases, allowing for quick and easy placement.
The multi-drum-size compatibility of these grippers is a major advantage. Models that accept 30, 55, and 85 gallon drums across steel, plastic, and fiber materials allow a single attachment to serve multiple drum types across different areas of a facility. This reduces equipment costs and simplifies handling workflows compared to using a dedicated tool for each drum size.
Weight capacities range from 700 to 1,000 pounds depending on the model, supporting the full weight of most loaded industrial drums. The robust construction of each gripper is built to handle repeated use in demanding environments, from warehouse floors to manufacturing lines and chemical processing areas.
By moving drum handling from manual lifting to forklift-assisted gripping, these attachments dramatically reduce the risk of back injuries, dropped drums, and spills. Operators maintain better control over the drum throughout the lift cycle, and the secure gripping action keeps the load stable at height — a critical safety factor when placing drums on shelves, racks, or elevated platforms.
Applications
Forklift drum grippers are used across a wide range of industrial operations, including:
- Lifting and placing 55 gallon drums onto pallets, platforms, and elevated racking
- Loading and unloading drums from trucks and trailers during receiving and shipping
- Moving drums between storage zones, production areas, and dispensing stations
- Handling steel, plastic, and fiber drums across warehouses, manufacturing plants, and chemical facilities
- Supporting safer drum handling in environments where manual lifting is not practical due to drum weight or volume
These grippers are particularly valuable in high-throughput facilities that move large numbers of drums per shift. They reduce the time and labor involved in each drum movement while keeping workers at a safe distance from the load. Industries that commonly use drum grippers include chemical manufacturing, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food production, and recycling operations.
Selection Assistance
Start by identifying the drum sizes and materials your facility handles. If you work with a single drum size — for example, only 55 gallon steel drums — a dedicated gripper optimized for that size provides the most secure fit. If your operation handles a mix of 30, 55, and 85 gallon drums in different materials, choose a multi-size gripper that adjusts automatically.
Next, verify weight capacity. A full 55 gallon drum can weigh well over 400 pounds depending on its contents. The gripper must be rated above the maximum filled weight of your heaviest drums to maintain a safe lift.
Forklift compatibility is also important. Confirm that the gripper mounts properly to your forklift’s carriage and that the combined weight of the gripper and loaded drum does not exceed your forklift’s rated lift capacity.
Barron Equipment can help match the right drum gripper to your forklift, drum inventory, and handling workflow. Fill out the form on this page, and a product specialist will follow up with recommendations tailored to your operation.