Abstract: A drum clamping unit for plastics material drums with peripheral "L'8 chime rings below the drum head is adapted to be mounted on suitable lifting and transporting devices such as lift trucks, overhead cranes, and the like to automatically engage, latch onto, and discharge one or more of the molded plastics material drums without damaging the drums. The unit has a plurality of clamping jaws automatically triggered to clamping positions by the drum heads as the unit is lowered alongside the drums. These clamping jaws are positioned to engage only with the bottom and inner face of the "L" chime ring of each drum and remain clear of the drum head and drum periphery thereby avoiding any damage to the drums especially as they are raised to clamp onto the "L" rings. Then, when the raised clamped drums are conveyed to and lowered on a desired location, the jaws are released, retracted automatically and held in a retracted position until the unit is again lowered to engage a drum head in a subsequent operation.

Abstract: A two-wheeled drum or barrel transporting truck slidably mounts a drum flange or chime clamp which is powered from an energy source on the truck to raise the drum for depositing the same on a pallet or the like. An electric motor driven linear actuator on the truck is energized from a battery also carried on the truck to drive the clamp. A double pole switch on or adjacent the handlebar of the truck controls a circuit to drive the motor in opposite directions. The clamp when raised against the chime ring of a barrel or drum automatically locks the drum to the truck. Rollers on the truck embrace and cradle the drum so that it is easily raised and lowered on the truck.

Abstract: Multiple head drum clamping attachment for attachment to a lifting device such as a lift truck for lifting and transporting barrels or drums and particularly lightweight fiber drums having beads extending about each end thereof. The clamping attachment comprises a transverse bar having clamping heads pivotally mounted on each end for limited pivotal movement about parallel vertical axes to conform the clamping head to the contour of the drum. The transverse bar may be supported on the vertical mast of a lift truck on pairs of parallel spaced links attached to a universal support, supporting the transverse bar for limited movement in vertical and horizontal planes relative to the links to conform the clamping attachments to a selected drum and its top bead. The links are biased outwardly with respect to the mast and the clamping attachments each include a casing and clamping jaws carried in the casing.