Depending on what you store in your 55 gallon drums, there are a number of different ways of ensuring that you make the best possible use of space within your storage areas, and there are a number of options open to you during the planning stages. Oil drum racks allow drums to be stacked vertically on top of each other (ideal for non reactive and inert liquids), or horizontally on specially designed stacking shelves. This second option is better for liquids that you do not want to have stacked directly one on top of the other. Which ever option you choose for your storage solution, using the proper drum movers to get drums into their final position is essential if you are to avoid doing damage to systems or causing accidental spillages.

The main concern that any stock house manager should have is that all items are handled safely. This ensures that there is less damage, and less wastage. Both of these factors have a massive importance when it comes down to the profitability of a facility, and by minimizing both damage to stock and infrastructure, costs can be kept to a minimum. Spillages have hidden costs such as the risk of individuals slipping. Particular care needs to be taken when moving liquid filled drums, as these can contain expensive chemicals, as well as causing huge risk if all the contents are lost. For this reason, it is vitally important that the proper drum movers are used.

Every conceivable risk needs to be assessed when using drum movers, and the proper tool used at each stage of the process. When the drum is being moved through the shop floor area of the facility, proper dollies should be used, or the drum should be carried on a purpose built truck, as this will reduce the risk of it rolling off the side and emptying onto the floor. Similarly, there are specialist drum movers that carry out the task of stacking drums into place within the storage area until they are required by production or distribution staff.

The fork mounted drum positioning system attaches directly onto the standard forks of a forklift truck, and allows for drums up to 800lbs in weight to be lifted and put into place. This drum mover uses an ingenious system to tilt the drum through 90 degrees so that it can be laid flat on a shelving unit. The smoothness of operation that this system offers, coupled with the precise positioning possible with a well trained operator means that you will be able to stack oil drums effectively in place with little risk.

There a number of different drum movers that have been created in order to lift drums on top of each other for stacked storage. These drum lifters clip onto the top of the barrel and can lift it into place while holding it securely. The device hooks against the drum, and uses the weight and shape of the oil drum to hold the lifter into place.