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Davenport, IA 52806
Des Moines, IA
2276 NE 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
Drum Positioners
Overview
A drum positioner is a powered attachment designed to load, unload, and orient drums stored on racks, stands, or vehicles. These units give forklift operators the ability to handle horizontally stored drums with precision, placing them into position or retrieving them without manual lifting or awkward handling.
Barron Equipment carries hydraulic drum positioners built for industrial facilities that store or transport 55 gallon drums in horizontal configurations. Whether your operation uses tiered drum racks, horizontal cradle stands, or flatbed vehicles, a positioner streamlines the process of getting drums into and out of those setups safely and efficiently.
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“Horizontal Drum Positioner – 30 Gal Hydraulic Reservoir – 570cc Engine – 25 Sec Cycle Time – 38,000 Lb Crushing Power – 138.38 In. L x 83.25 In. W x 105.63 In. H”
Item ID: HDT-500$482.43 Add to cart -
Drum Positioner – Compatible with Multiple Drum Sizes
Item ID: DRUM-P-PPFrom $1,486.18 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Drum Positioner – For 55 Gal Drums – 800 Lb Capacity – 74.81 In. L x 22 In. W x 23.25 In. H
Item ID: VEDP-55$902.60 Add to cart
Features & Benefits
Drum positioners from Barron Equipment are hydraulic-powered systems designed for use with forklifts. The hydraulic mechanism provides the force needed to grip, lift, and orient heavy drums in a controlled motion. This eliminates the need for workers to manually wrestle drums into horizontal racks or pull them off elevated storage positions.
Cycle times on these units are designed for efficiency. Fast engagement and release allow operators to position drums quickly without extended dwell time at each rack location. This is particularly important in facilities that handle high volumes of drums per shift, where every minute saved per drum compounds into significant productivity gains over the course of a day.
The robust construction of these positioners is built to withstand demanding industrial environments. Heavy duty steel frames and hydraulic components support repeated use under load without degradation in performance. Compatibility with standard 55 gallon drums means the positioner integrates into most existing drum storage workflows.
By replacing manual drum positioning with a powered, forklift-mounted system, these tools reduce physical strain on workers and lower the risk of injuries caused by lifting or handling drums at awkward angles. Operators maintain better control throughout the entire positioning sequence — from approach to placement to release — which helps prevent drops, impacts, and spills.
Applications
Drum positioners are used in specialized handling scenarios that require precise drum placement or retrieval, including:
- Loading 55 gallon drums into horizontal storage racks and tiered shelving systems
- Unloading drums from flatbed trucks, trailers, and vehicle-mounted cradles
- Positioning drums on horizontal stands for dispensing, gravity feed, or long-term storage
- Retrieving drums from elevated or hard-to-reach horizontal rack positions
- Supporting drum handling operations in chemical plants, oil and gas facilities, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers
These tools are most valuable in environments where drums are stored horizontally as a standard practice. Facilities that use drum racks, saddle stands, or horizontal cradle systems see the greatest return on investment from a dedicated positioner, as it replaces a multi-person manual task with a single-operator, forklift-driven process.
Selection Assistance
Choosing a drum positioner starts with understanding your storage setup. Identify the type of racking, stands, or vehicle configurations your drums are stored in, and confirm the heights and clearances involved. This helps determine whether the positioner can reach and operate within your existing infrastructure.
Next, verify drum size and weight compatibility. Most positioners are designed for standard 55 gallon drums, but confirming filled drum weight against the positioner’s rated capacity is essential for safe operation.
Forklift compatibility is also a key factor. Ensure that the positioner mounts properly to your forklift’s carriage and that the combined weight of the attachment and loaded drum falls within your lift truck’s rated capacity.
Barron Equipment can help evaluate your storage layout and recommend the right positioner for your operation. Fill out the form on this page, and a product specialist will work with you to identify the best fit based on your racks, drums, and forklift equipment.