Buying Guide: Drum Tipping Beams from MEILLER

What is a Drum Tipping Beam?

A drum tipping beam is a professional-grade drum handling attachment designed to safely lift, tilt, and empty upright drums. It can be used in combination with cranes or forklift trucks to securely hold a drum and rotate it up to 360°, typically via a gear mechanism. This allows for controlled and safe emptying of drum contents without manual lifting or risk to personnel. At MEILLER, we manufacture various models of drum tipping beams tailored to different drum types, weights, and operational environments.

Which Drums Can be Handled with MEILLER Drum Tipping Beams?

MEILLER drum tipping beams are available in multiple configurations, allowing compatibility with a wide range of standard drums:

• 205-litre steel drums (with bead or rolling hoops)
• Plastic drums
• Universal drum types of different sizes
• Heavy-duty steel drums up t0 1,200 kg

Our product range ensures that both lightweight and particularly heavy drums can be safely lifted and tipped.

Standard Drum Tipping Beam for 200-Litre Steel Drums

The basic variant in our product line is specifically engineered for standard 200-litre steel drums. It is equipped with rubber-coated gripping jaws that protect the drum wall during handling. The drum is secured with a robust ratchet strap, ensuring a firm hold even during rotation. Tipping is controlled via a self-locking worm gear, which can be operated either by a handwheel or a chain crank. The worm gear mechanism provides controlled 360° rotation with high safety and minimal physical effort.

Key features:

• Rubber-coated gripping clamps to prevent drum damage
• Ratchet strap for secure drum fastening
• Self-locking worm gear for precise and safe tipping
• Rotation angle up to 360°
• Load capacity up to 400 kg

Universal Drum Tipping Beam with Cage for Steel and Plastic Drums

For applications requiring greater flexibility, MEILLER offers a universal drum tipping beam featuring a rugged holding cage. This design allows the secure handling of both steel and plastic drums, including those with non-standard dimensions. Drums are stabilized at the side by clamping arms and at the body with a ratchet strap, ensuring secure positioning during transport and tipping.

Key features:

• Robust cage with bottom cradle and lateral locking arms
• Drum fastened via ratchet strap for enhanced safety
• Controlled 360° rotation using a self-locking worm gear
• Suitable for 200-litre steel and plastic drums
• Load capacity up to 400 kg

Heavy-Duty Drum Tipping Beam for Drums up to 1,200 kg

In industrial environments where very heavy drums are in use—such as those filled with dense chemicals or bulk materials—the heavy-duty drum tipping beam is the solution of choice. Designed with reinforced materials and structure, this tipping beam can accommodate drum weights of up to 1.2 tonnes. It features a reinforced cage and dual ratchet straps for secure fastening. The integrated worm gear drive is specially dimensioned for heavy loads and ensures smooth and safe operation.

Key features:

• Reinforced cage construction with bottom support and lateral clamps
• Two ratchet straps for maximum securing strength
• Heavy-duty worm gear designed for high-load applications
• Full 360° rotation capability
• Load capacity up to 1,200 kg

Pneumatic Drum Tipping Beam for Effortless Operation

For operators seeking even more convenience, MEILLER offers a pneumatic version of the drum tipping beam. This model replaces the manual gear operation with a pneumatic tipping mechanism, which is activated via a control valve. This enables smooth and effortless operation, especially suitable for repetitive tasks or workstations with compressed air infrastructure. The pneumatic tipping beam is also available in ATEX versions for use in potentially explosive environments.

Key features:

• Suitable for 200-litre drums
• Rubber-lined clamps and height-adjustable locking mechanisms
• Fastening via ratchet strap
• Pneumatic tipping mechanism controlled by manual valve
• 360° tipping range
• Load capacity up to 400 kg
• Optional ATEX-certified version available on request

Typical Applications for Drum Tipping Beams

Drum tipping beams are essential wherever upright drums need to be lifted, transported, and emptied in a safe and controlled manner. These beams are ideal for:

• Industrial processing environments
• Chemical and hazardous material handling
• Manufacturing and production plants
• Waste management and recycling operations
• Agricultural and food-grade applications

Whether emptying drums into mixing tanks, filling containers, or disposing of residual contents, MEILLER drum tipping beams enable operators to carry out these tasks with high precision and minimal physical strain. The ability to rotate the drum completely ensures even sticky or viscous contents can be fully discharged.

Why Choose Drum Tipping Beams from MEILLER?

Since 1895, MEILLER has stood for reliable lifting equipment engineered and manufactured in Germany. With over a century of experience, our drum tipping beams reflect decades of refinement in design and usability. MEILLER products are robust, compliant with occupational safety regulations, and optimized for practical use in industrial operations.

What sets MEILLER drum tipping beams apart?

• Quality manufacturing: Made in Germany with precision-engineered steel components.
• Customizable solutions: Various models available for different drum types and weights.
• User-friendly operation: Manual and pneumatic options tailored to the operator’s needs.
• Forklift and crane compatibility: Most models can be fitted with fork sleeves for forklift use or lifting eyes for crane use.
• Optional ATEX compliance: Pneumatic versions available in explosion-proof design.
• Special designs on request: We offer the ability to customize beam geometry, cage dimensions, or drive systems based on specific use cases.