Tipping drums is an essential part of many industrial processes. Our crane- and forklift-mounted overhead drum rotators provide a safe way of lifting and tipping various drum types and sizes, and we can customise each rotator to suit your exact needs.
Remote Drum Tipper for Waste Handling
Remote drum tipping solution for a nuclear site, designed for safe, efficient waste handling with overhead cranes.
Project Requirements and Challenges
The customer needed a solution to safely lift and tip 205-litre (55-gallon) steel drums into large waste containers. The challenge was that the drums needed to be lifted to significant heights, making manual rotation impractical and potentially hazardous. Key requirements included:
- High Lift Capability: The drum tipper needed to work with overhead cranes, meaning the rotation mechanism would be out of reach for manual operation once the drum was elevated.
- Remote Operation for Safety: To minimise operator exposure to potentially hazardous dust, vapours, or materials that might escape during tipping, a fully remote operation was required.
Custom Design and Engineering
To meet these challenges, the STS design team developed a battery-operated drum tipper attachment with the following key features:
- Battery-Powered Remote Control: The attachment is operated via a wireless, battery-powered remote control, similar to a crane pendant controller. This allows operators to control the tipping of the drum from a safe distance.
- Electric Motor-Driven Rotation: Instead of the standard worm-wheel gearbox with a manual handle, which would be inaccessible at height, the unit uses an electric motor for smooth, controlled rotation.
- Secure Ground-Level Attachment: The drum tipper is designed to secure to 205-litre (55-gallon) steel drums at ground level, allowing operators to safely engage the drum before it is lifted by the overhead crane.
Benefits for the Customer
This bespoke solution offered several critical advantages:
- Improved Operator Safety: Remote control reduces the risk of operator exposure to hazardous materials, dust, and vapours during tipping.
- Enhanced Efficiency: The battery-operated system provides precise control over the tipping angle, ensuring precise emptying of drums even at significant heights.
- Greater Flexibility: The attachment can be used with various overhead crane systems, making it a versatile addition to the customer’s existing setup.
This project highlights STS’s ability to engineer innovative, safety-focused solutions for challenging environments, reinforcing our commitment to customer-driven design and high-quality manufacturing.
Crane / Forklift Drum Rotators
Contact Us
Do you have a manual handling issue we could solve? We’d be happy to discuss any handling concerns and advise on the most suitable STS equipment. You can talk to us via telephone, email and social media.