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Universal Drum Rotator (Electric)

STE01-DRU01

The electric-lift Universal Drum Rotator has become the backbone of our product range. The STE01 uses maintenance-free onboard batteries along with a built-in automatic smart battery charger. Manufactured in the UK, this electric drum rotator is self contained and mobile, making it great for large production facilities. As with all STS drum handling products we offer many different options and customisable features to suit your requirements.

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The side view of the drum lifting equipment with the drum in the tilted position Electric Drum Tipper with small 25 litre drum in the band The side view of the drum rotator with the drum in the raised position An operator using drum lifting equipment to secure a drum into the drum rotator An operator using drum lifting equipment to raise a drum overhead An operator using drum lifting equipment to tilt a drum towards him

STE01-DRU01

The electric-lift Universal Drum Rotator has become the backbone of our product range. The STE01 uses maintenance-free onboard batteries along with a built-in automatic smart battery charger. Manufactured in the UK, this electric drum rotator is self contained and mobile, making it great for large production facilities. As with all STS drum handling products we offer many different options and customisable features to suit your requirements.

Watch training video

Key product features

Fully compliant lift circuits

The control panel of the electric-powered Universal Drum Rotator.

Fully compliant lift circuits

Our qualified electrical and mechanical engineers install the lift circuits and ensure they’re fully compliant with all applicable regulatory standards. We install mandatory safety features including emergency stop buttons on all of our powered drum handling units to keep you and your operators safe. A battery gauge informs operators when the electric drum rotator is ready to be charged. A smart battery charger is housed within the control box, this recharges the battery and if full, provides a trickle charge.

Universal drum band

The stainless steel band which secures the drum into the drum lifting equipment

Universal drum band

The DRU01 drum band is unique in the drum-handling industry. Made from stainless steel, this band uses segments to allow adjustment in the diameter for different drums, the adjustable band helps operators handle drums from as small as 50 litres, right up to 220 litres, whether steel, plastic or fibreboard. Simply adjust the variable band to the correct drum size and secure the drum with the ratchet and polyester strap. The band can be adjusted from 350mm to 600mm in diameter. 


For applications where only 200- to 220-litre steel and plastic drums are being handled, we can supply a fixed over-centre drum band. This band has a fixed diameter (560-600mm diameter)  and used rubber pads to grip the drum. This band is very fast and simple to use.

View drum suitability

Rim-clamp securing system

The rim clamp shown up close on the STS drum rotator

Rim-clamp securing system

The electric drum rotator comes with a rim-locking device, which attaches to the top lip of the drum to add a second security measure. This allows the Universal Drum Rotator to handle a vast range of drums safely, some of which cannot be handled by other equipment on the market. The rim clamp is fully adjustable in height to accommodate all sizes of drums and barrels.


When using a drum rotator with our "Fixed Band" option to handle steel 205-litre drums (only), the rim clamp can be removed.

Self-locking gearbox

The self-locking gearbox on an STS Universal Drum Rotator.

Self-locking gearbox

We build all our drum rotator models to include a high-quality self-locking rotational gearbox. This makes sure that when you’re using the drum lifting equipment, the barrels always remain under control and never self-rotate. The standard model is operated by hand but we can also provide power rotation options. The drum rotation gearbox has a final ratio of 120:1 which makes the rotation easy to control by operators of all sizes and strengths.

Controllable rear-wheel steering

A rear view of the Universal Drum Rotator steering mechanism.

Controllable rear-wheel steering

Ackermann-style rear-wheel steering provides maximum directional control when tipping drums into your process. The wheels are 160mm in diameter and contain two precision bearings. Park brakes are fitted to all models for static positioning and safety. We can provide you with custom leg configurations should you need them including wider legs, narrower legs and low-level under-machine legs. Get in touch with your specific requirements. 

Drum rotator suitability

Varying sizes of drums that can be accommodated by an STS drum rotator unit.

Drum rotator suitability

Our Universal Drum Rotator is compatible with a wide range of drum types, sizes and materials. For a list of compatible drum types, see the drum suitability document by clicking the button below. There are hundreds of variations in drum types used around the globe, our goal is to always be able to offer a solution. If you are handling any unusual drums not shown and would like advice, please get in touch with our experienced team.

View drum suitability

Specification

STE01-DRU01 Universal Drum Rotator (Electric)

  • Safe working load (SWL)

    350kg

  • Functions

    Powered lift/lower, manual rotation, manual push/pull 

  • Power details

    On-board 115Ah battery powering an electric-hydraulic pump, mains 230v, smart battery charger built into control box

  • Controls

    Silicone booted buttons, emergency stop, removable key switch, digital battery condition meter

  • Lift height

    1500mm

  • Tipping clearance

    1500mm at 15° tip angle / 1400mm at 30° tip angle (205 litre drum) 

  • Drum compatibility

    Steel and plastic drums, 50-220 litres (incl. MAUSER drums)

  • Band assembly

    Segmented adjustable/universal band with 50mm stainless steel ratchet and polyester strap

  • Additional drum securing

    Rim clamp included which grips the top edge of the drum preventing slippage 

  • Rotation gearbox

    Worm-wheel, self-locking with 120:1 ratio and manual handle 

  • Construction

    Mild steel with stainless steel rotator arms, band and rim clamp 

  • Metal preparation

    Grit blasted mild steel, aqua blasted and vibro-polished stainless steel parts

  • Surface finish

    Primer and polyester powder coated mild steel, stainless steel is smooth and clean 

  • Powder coat colour

    RAL 5010 (blue)

  • Guarding

    Polycarbonate shatterproof clear guarding

  • Leg dimensions

    Inside straddle width 850mm, total outside width 1080mm

  • Front wheels

    Two fixed 160mm wheels, aluminium centred with polyurethane tyres and precision bearings

  • Rear wheels

    Two tiller steered 160mm wheels, aluminium centred with polyurethane tyres and precision bearings

  • Noise

    Less than 76 dBA

  • Compliance

    CE / UKCA

Optional features

Stainless-steel

We can offer a stainless steel drum rotator suitable for clean rooms as well as good manufacturing practice (GMP) areas.

Powered drum clamp

Improve efficiency using hydraulic powered clamping arms. Our unique flexible pads can clamp drums from 50- to 220-litres.

Powered drum rotation

For time-critical pouring applications we offer powered rotation which is controlled from the rear panel of the machine.

Power-drive system

When moving drums over long distances you may need power drive. Our electric power-drive tiller steering offers effortless control.

Telescopic/variable lift height

Single- and dual-mast models are available, depending on the lift height required. Single masts offer around 1500mm lift whereas telescopic masts offer 2700mm.

Variable leg dimensions

When machinery integration is critical, we can modify leg dimensions of the drum rotator to suit your facility.

Fixed-size drum band

If you’re only handling 200- to 220-litre steel and plastic drums, our fixed over-centre drum band makes securing drums quicker.

Load-cell weighing system

With our load-cell system you can weigh drums while you handle them. A digital read-out provides real-time weight information for quantity-sensitive processes.

Very small drum insert

If you’re using drum handling equipment for drums smaller than 50 litres, we can provide an insert that allows you to lift small containers with the universal drum band.

Sale or return

In the UK we can supply certain equipment on a sale-or-return basis, meaning you can use a unit on-site for seven days with no obligation to buy it once the trial period is up. Find out more here.

Electric Lift Drum/Barrel Lifter and Tipper (Model: STE01-DRU01)
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Technical specification

See the full technical specification for our Universal Drum Rotator (Electric) for details such as weight, dimensions and load capacity.

Instruction manual

View the instruction manual for our Universal Drum Rotator (Electric), which details how to safely operate and maintain the unit.

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.

Drum Rotators / Tippers

Tipping drums is an essential part of many industrial processes. Our drum rotators provide a safe way to lift and tip various drum types and sizes, and we can customise each rotator to suit your exact needs.