Abstract: In a method for emptying drums which are filled with solids and the lids of which have already been removed, the drum base is separated from the drum and the solids are forced out of the drum with the aid of a pressing body. An apparatus for emptying drums filled with solids has a cutting ring for removing the drum base. For the purpose of emptying the drum freed from the drum base and the rum lid, the apparatus has a pressing body which is in the form of a ram and, driven by hydraulic cylinders, can be displaced along the longitudinal axis in the direction of the cutting ring. A stop supports the drum against force acting in the direction of displacement while the solids are being forced out of the drum by the ram.