Drum crushers are a type of baler or industrial compactor used to compact, or crush, containers and drums that are used in the storage and transportation of liquid or loose raw materials. Commonly used drums hold 55 gallons or 25 gallons and are made of metals, fibers or plastic. 55 gallon drums are used widely in shipping and transportation of goods, and are a necessary part of many industries.
Visit our Recycling Equipment page
The disposal or storage of drums once they have been damaged, or are no longer required, can add unnecessary expenditure to a company. Using industrial compactors, such as drum crushers, trash compactors and industrial balers, saves companies money and makes the handling and storage of waste or obsolete materials easier. A drum crusher reduces the volume of a drum by up to 80% and helps to cut back on clean-up costs and expensive disposal methods. As the weight of liquids or raw materials can be very heavy and cause internal pressure, most drums are manufactured with reinforcing rings, providing extra support to the sides of the drum to prevent collapsing during shipping. Drum crushers are generally made of aluminum, stainless steel or steel and are able to crush most plastic or metal industrial drums, as well as smaller hollow metal items like paint cans and pails.
A metal ram is used to flatten the steel or plastic drum, providing up to 18 tons of pressure which is necessary in order to crush the reinforced rings. Due to the large amount of power and force required to compress a metal structure, a drum crusher handles one drum at a time, usually taking less than a minute for the process to be complete. The crushed drum then needs to be removed, and another drum placed into the crusher. A standard drum which measures about 35inches in height can be compacted down to 6inches or less, making the process of disposal easier in terms of transportation, handling and storage. Due to the force produced by a drum crushing machine, there are a number of safety features that may be considered in the manufacturing of a crusher such as an emergency stop button, or a door-lock system to prevent operating of the machine if it is not closed and secured properly. Trained personnel should operate the machinery in protective clothing and gear. Specialized drum crushers are equipped with an internal pump to extract any residual liquids, such as hazardous materials, which may be remaining in the drums being crushed.
