Compactors

Drum Crushers & Compactors are drum handling equipment designed to provide drum waste management solutions. Drum Crushers flatten heavy-duty drums making disposal of them easier. With the use of hydraulics or pneumatic compressor plates, Drum Compactors compresses waste content within a drum. Compaction allows for the maximum storage of waste in drums in order to reduce disposal costs. Drum Crushers & Compactors together are effective drum disposal and drum volume reduction methods.

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Newstripe Pack-Master™ Trash Compactors

Pneumatic Trash Compactor

Hydraulic Steel Pail Crusher

Manual Trash Compactors

Newstripe Big Squeeze™ Pail & Can Crusher

Hydraulic Drum Crusher

Forklift Trash Bin Compactor

Newstripe Pack-Master™ Trash Compactors

Newstripe Pack-Master™ Trash Compactors provide efficient waste management solutions. These trash compactors feature a heavy-duty steel construction for long lasting durability, and an air powered compressor plate for efficient crushing. They are easy to operate, simply position a 55-gallon drum onto the platform base, and the material will be compressed by the sturdy pressure plate.

Height	Width	Length	Brand	Power	Type	Model #	Price
90 in	27 in	29 in	Newstripe	Hand-Operated Ram Lever	Pack-Master™	WB987958	$1,519.00
76 in	36 in	27 in	Newstripe	Standard Shop Air	Pack-Master™ Spark-Resistant Air	WB987961	See price in cart
76 in	36 in	27 in	Newstripe	Standard Shop Air	Pack-Master™ Air	WB987960	$6,099.00

Pneumatic Trash Compactor

Pneumatic trash compactors are ideal for reducing the amount of space taken up by waste while increasing the amount of materials that can be stored per drum. They work quickly and efficiently to reduce mess and waste, and require only air power to operate.

Hydraulic Steel Pail Crusher

The Hydraulic Steel Pail Crusher efficiently crushes 5-gallon steel pails quickly and easily. It features a heavy duty steel construction for long lasting durability, and removable legs for bench top mounting. This crusher can reduce the size of pails to a manageable 2" high. These hydraulic pail crushers come equipped with a series of safety features to ensure OSHA compliance.

Manual Trash Compactors

Manual Trash Compactors are perfect for compressing the contents of 55 gallon drums. They are easy to set up and require no power source, making them ideal for areas where electrical sources are limited. These manual trash compactors feature casters for tilt-and-roll portability when empty.

Newstripe Big Squeeze™ Pail & Can Crusher

The Newstripe Big Squeeze™ Pail and Can Crusher is perfect for crushing 5 gallon pails in less than 1 minute, and 1-gallon cans in under 30 seconds for maximum efficiency. It features all steel construction, user friendly operation, and compatibility with an optional floor stand. They come equipped with a series of safety features to ensure OSHA compliance.

Hydraulic Drum Crusher

The hydraulic drum crusher compacts 55 gallon steel drums into approximately 6" high pieces. Quickly and easily load drums into the chamber, and activate the hydraulic lever to start compressing. These hydraulic drum crushers come equipped with safety features including an emergency stop button, and pressure release valves.

Forklift Trash Bin Compactor

How to Choose the Right Drum Crusher or Compactor

Managing industrial waste efficiently can help facilities reduce disposal frequency, improve housekeeping, and maximize available storage space. Drum crushers and drum compactors support waste reduction in different ways. Drum compactors compress waste materials inside drums, while drum crushers flatten empty metal drums for easier handling, storage, and recycling. Choosing the right equipment depends on the type of waste being managed and your facility's operational requirements.

What Is a Drum Crusher or Compactor?

A drum compactor is equipment designed to compress waste materials inside a drum, typically a 55-gallon drum, to reduce the amount of space waste occupies. By applying downward force through a compaction plate or ram, these systems consolidate materials such as cardboard, packaging waste, paper, plastic, and other compressible materials.

A drum crusher is designed to flatten empty steel drums after their contents have been removed. Crushing empty drums reduces their size for easier storage, transportation, and recycling while helping facilities reclaim valuable floor space.

Reducing waste volume or drum size allows facilities to maximize storage efficiency, improve housekeeping, and potentially reduce waste handling and disposal costs.

How Does a Drum Crusher or Compactor Work?

Drum Compactors

Drum trash compactors place waste material inside a compatible drum or container and use a compression mechanism to reduce the material volume.

The compaction process typically involves:

Loading compressible waste materials into the drum.
Positioning the compactor over or onto the drum.
Activating the manual lever or powered compression system.
Compressing the waste to maximize available drum capacity.
Removing and replacing the filled drum when needed.

Pneumatic models use compressed air to operate the compaction mechanism, while manual models rely on operator-powered mechanisms for smaller volume applications.

Drum Crushers

Drum crushers are used after a drum has been emptied and prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. The crushing process typically involves:

Positioning the empty drum inside the crusher.
Activating the crushing mechanism.
Compressing the empty drum into a flattened profile.
Removing the crushed drum for storage, transportation, or recycling.

Drum Crushers vs. Drum Compactors

Drum Crushers

Drum crushers are designed for facilities that need to reduce the size of empty steel drums before disposal or recycling.

They are commonly used in:

Manufacturing facilities
Chemical processing facilities
Industrial plants
Recycling operations

Benefits include:

Reduce empty drum storage space
Simplify transportation and recycling
Improve housekeeping
Maximize available storage space

Manual Drum Compactors

Manual drum compactors are designed for facilities with lower waste volumes or locations without access to compressed air systems.

They are commonly used for:

Small maintenance departments
Workshops
Light manufacturing environments
Facilities with limited waste processing needs

Benefits include:

No electrical or pneumatic power required
Lower upfront investment
Simple operation and maintenance
Portability for changing work areas

Pneumatic Drum Compactors

Pneumatic drum compactors use compressed air to generate consistent compaction force and are suited for higher-volume waste reduction applications.

They are commonly used in:

Manufacturing plants
Warehouses
Distribution centers
Industrial maintenance operations

Benefits include:

Faster waste processing
Reduced operator effort
Consistent compaction performance
Improved efficiency for frequent use

Key Factors When Selecting a Drum Crusher or Compactor

Type of Application

One of the most important considerations is whether your facility needs to reduce the volume of waste inside a drum or reduce the size of the drum itself.

Choose a drum compactor to compress waste materials inside drums.
Choose a drum crusher to flatten empty steel drums before storage or recycling.

Waste Volume and Frequency of Use

The amount of waste generated daily is one of the most important considerations. Facilities processing a few drums per week may only require a manual system, while high-volume operations may benefit from pneumatic-powered equipment.

Type of Waste Material

Drum compactors are designed for compressible materials such as:

Cardboard
Paper
Packaging materials
Plastic waste
General industrial waste

Always confirm that the waste material is compatible with the selected equipment before use.

Drum Size Compatibility

Many industrial drum compactors are designed for standard 55-gallon drums. Verify drum dimensions and equipment specifications to ensure proper fit and safe operation.

Available Power Sources

Facilities should consider available utilities when selecting equipment.

Manual compactors operate without external power.
Pneumatic compactors require access to compressed air.

Workplace Safety Requirements

Proper operator training and safe operating procedures are important when using crushing or compaction equipment. Facilities should follow manufacturer instructions and applicable workplace safety requirements.

Benefits of Using Drum Crushers and Compactors

Drum crushers and compactors can help facilities:

Reduce waste volume
Reduce the size of empty steel drums
Improve waste storage efficiency
Reduce the frequency of drum replacement
Support cleaner and more organized work areas
Improve waste handling processes
Maximize available disposal container capacity
Support recycling operations

Industries That Use Drum Crushers and Compactors

Drum crushers and compactors are commonly used in:

Manufacturing facilities
Automotive service centers
Warehouses
Distribution centers
Industrial plants
Maintenance departments
Recycling operations
Chemical processing facilities
Commercial facilities

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a Question? Our experts might already have the answers.

What is the difference between a drum crusher and a drum compactor?

A drum compactor compresses waste materials inside a drum to reduce waste volume, while a drum crusher flattens empty steel drums after they have been emptied. Drum compactors help maximize container capacity, whereas drum crushers reduce the storage and transportation space required for empty drums.

What materials can be compacted in a drum compactor?

Drum compactors are commonly used to compress materials such as cardboard, paper, plastic packaging, and other compressible industrial waste. Always verify that the waste material is compatible with the equipment before operation.

What size drums are used with drum compactors?

Many drum compactors are designed for standard 55 gallon drums. Always confirm the drum size requirements listed by the manufacturer before selecting equipment.

What is the difference between a manual and pneumatic drum compactor?

Manual drum compactors use operator-powered mechanisms and are typically suited for lower-volume applications. Pneumatic drum compactors use compressed air to provide faster and more consistent compaction for higher-volume waste processing.

Can drum compactors reduce disposal costs?

By reducing waste volume, drum compactors can help facilities maximize container capacity and potentially reduce the frequency of waste handling and disposal services.

Can the same machine crush drums and compact waste?

Most equipment is designed for a specific purpose. Drum compactors compress waste materials inside drums, while drum crushers flatten empty steel drums. Facilities should select equipment based on whether they need to reduce waste volume or reduce the size of empty drums.

Are drum crushers and compactors suitable for all types of waste?

No. Drum compactors are intended for compressible materials, while drum crushers are designed for empty steel drums. Facilities should review manufacturer guidelines and avoid using equipment for materials or applications that are not approved by the manufacturer.

How do I choose the right drum crusher or compactor?

The best equipment depends on whether you need to compress waste inside a drum or crush empty drums for recycling or disposal. Facilities should also consider waste volume, material type, drum size, available power sources, frequency of use, and operational requirements.