Tilting a 55 Gal Plastic Drum: Calculating Force Needed

[WilliamHerron]

TL;DR Summary

I'm trying to tilt a 450 pound plastic drum to a 20 degree angle using a pneumatic cylinder. Need to determine what size and how many to use.

I have been tasked with tilting a plastic 55 gallon drum that contains lube to an angle of about 20 degrees.

I would like to use pneumatic cylinders as air is readily available here.

The plastic barrel has a 23.5 inch diameter and is 35 inches tall.

The barrel and contents weighs 450 pounds.

What force is required to tilt the drum?

Thanks,

 

[Baluncore]

Welcome to PF.
Is the lube a liquid that will remain level as the drum is tilted ?
Is the drum full ?
What centre will the drum tilt about ?
20° relative to what starting position ?

 

[WilliamHerron]

I believe the lube is quite thick/viscous.

Perhaps the consistency of a molasses.
(I'm making assumptions, I do not have any applicable data)

The drum is full.
(Filled perhaps a few inches from the top)

Center?
I was wanting the tilt cylinder to be in contact near the top of the drum... on the side... at say the "6 o'clock" position... and the barrel would tilt over onto the bottom edge of drum located at the "12 o'clock" position.
(if viewing the drum from overhead)

The drums are standing upright.

 

[WilliamHerron]

 

[russ_watters]

This is a straightforward torque equality (or rather, sum to zero). The barrel is full and has a center of gravity in the middle. Maximum torque is when it just starts to tilt. Torque is just force times moment arm length:

F1L1 + F2L2 = 0

 

[berkeman]

I have been tasked with tilting a plastic 55 gallon drum that contains lube to an angle of about 20 degrees.

Can the barrel sit in a cradle mechanism? If so, you can decrease the tilting force required by making the barrel rotate about an axis that is closer to its midpoint vertically, instead of down on the ground. If you reduce the force enough and have an appropriate handle with good leverage, perhaps you don't need the extra complication of the pneumatic cylinder...

https://www.stewarthandling.com/mobile-drum-handlers/drum-palletizers#1

 

[Lnewqban]

I recommend an articulated frame.
Is the wall of the drum strong enough to receive the pushing force of the cylinder?
How does both remain centered respect to each other? (the drum can roll some, slip, and go back to the original position).

 

[hutchphd]

Here is the answer to your question: about 150 lbs from the pneumatics will tilt the full barrel.
But as others have said that is probably not a good design. You need to optimise.

 

[WilliamHerron]

I recommend an articulated frame.
Is the wall of the drum strong enough to receive the pushing force of the cylinder?
How does both remain centered respect to each other? (the drum can roll some, slip, and go back to the original position).

I was planning on using a 3/8" metal plate a couple inches across and 10-12 inches tall (with rubber or UHMW plastic layer) to distribute the force.

As far as the barrel rolling, spinning, etc I was going to build a frame on casters that would cradle the drum on 3 sides.. (still trying to figure out exactly how)

 

[WilliamHerron]

Can the barrel sit in a cradle mechanism? If so, you can decrease the tilting force required by making the barrel rotate about an axis that is closer to its midpoint vertcally, instead of down on the ground. If you reduce the force enough and have an appropriate handle with good leverage, perhaps you don't need the extra complication of the pneumatic cylinder...

View attachment 314176
https://www.stewarthandling.com/mobile-drum-handlers/drum-palletizers#1

I am hoping to build a 3 sides frame on heavy casters that could be pushed up to and around the drum.The 4th side would be a movable/removable gate.. that container a safety switch

If gate is not in position, cylinder would not be allowed to engage.

 

[Baluncore]

I am hoping to build a 3 sides frame on heavy casters that could be pushed up to and around the drum.

If you search eBay for 'drum trolley', you will see 50 different ways of handling 200 litre drums. The ease of tilting to any particular angle will be dependent on the position of the two trolley wheels, or the steel rocker frame, and the length of the handles.

The greatest force needed to tilt a standing drum is at the very beginning of the tilt. Because compressed air expands, the problem with a pneumatic tilting mechanism is that it must have a fixed stop, something that can prevent the drum passing the balance point, falling, and then rolling away. It is much more difficult to stand a rolling drum than to tilt a standing drum.