Getting liquid out of standard sized 55 gallon oil drums into a pail or bucket to make carrying it around the workplace much easier is a common problem that needs to be approached and there are a number of different alternatives open to make decanting liquid as simple as possible. With the selection of pail pumps available from many companies you will be able to find the perfect solution for your needs.



A standard sized 55 gallon oil drum is too large to make pouring liquid out of it a viable option, so a pumping system is required in order to get liquid into a more portable container to take it to where it is needed. Although it is tempting to simply create a simple vacuum siphon by popping a length of hose into the top of the drum and sucking on it, this is an extremely dangerous practice, and the operator of the siphon has almost no control over the flow, and if the chemical in the barrel is in any way toxic, or has noxious fumes, it can cause serious damage to their health.

All staff must be encouraged to use a proper pail pump in order to drain liquid out of the drum, and there are several different options to choose from in order to ensure that the task is carried out as safely as possible, with a minimum of wastage.

The most important consideration when using pail pumps is that they must always be scrupulously cleaned after use. This prevents any contamination of the contents of one drum with material from another. Contaminating water based liquids with oil and vice versa can cause a great deal of damage within a delicate engineering system or engine, and this damage will be predictably expensive to rectify at a later date,

You can either choose a piston pump or a rotary pumping system in order to get liquid out of a barrel manually, and both have their own advantages and disadvantages in use. A piston or lever pump works by applying pressure down into the drum and forcing the liquid out and into the waiting pail. Pumps like this have the disadvantage of producing an uneven flow, and this can lead to spillage. They also require quite a lot of effort in use, and this can be tiring for operators, however, piston pumps are generally relatively low cost items thanks to their simplicity, and are also very reliable, lasting for many years when properly maintained.

A manual rotary pail pump has a hand turned crank that produces an even and steady flow of liquid. It is ideal for heavier liquids such as lubricating oil, and is highly recommended for more volatile liquids, as there is less risk of splashing.

Electric pail pumps are available, and these provide an easily manageable flow of liquid at the push of a button. There are a number of different options available that offer different levels of power, and while these are generally slightly more expensive than a manual pump, the ease of use that they offer, coupled with the lower wastage levels associated with them means that over time an electric pail pump can save you money.