Introduction to Drum and Tote Filling Machines
Drum and tote filling machines are vital for industries that require accurate, high-speed, and automated filling of liquids into drums and totes. These machines are designed to fill a wide range of liquids such as engine oils, chemical solvents, edible oils, and industrial fluids, into HDPE drums, metal barrels, and IBC containers.
With the rise of fully automated systems, automatic drum filling machines and IBC filling systems have become an essential part of industries such as oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. They ensure precise filling, reduce human error, and increase operational efficiency.
These systems come in semi-automatic and fully automatic configurations, offering flexibility depending on your production needs. The tote filling equipment also complements IBC fillers to cater to larger container requirements, making the filling process efficient and scalable.

Why Choose Drum and Tote Filling Machines?
- Precision and Accuracy:
- Whether you’re filling 55-gallon drums or IBC containers, drum and tote filling machines are engineered for high accuracy. With systems like the Mettler Toledo drum filling machine, you can achieve ±0.1% filling accuracy, ensuring consistent quantities in each container.
- Increased Productivity:
- Automated filling systems can fill up to 30 barrels per hour (for 55-gallon drums) and 6-8 IBC containers per hour, allowing manufacturers to meet high production demands. This high-speed performance significantly reduces labor costs and minimizes human error.
- Flexible for Various Liquids:
- Engine oil, lubricant oils, paint thinners, food oils, and chemical solvents are among the wide range of liquids filled with automatic drum fillers. IBC filling machines are perfect for bulk liquids like pesticides and fertilizers that need to be dispensed into larger containers.
- Safety Features for Hazardous Liquids:
- Many drum and tote filling machines are designed with explosion-proof systems to handle flammable liquids like solvents and engine oils. Certified to meet ATEX and IECEx standards, these machines ensure safe handling in hazardous environments.
- Customizable to Your Needs:
- Choose from a range of automatic drum filling systems for small-scale operations or high-volume needs. Our IBC filling systems and tote filling equipment can be configured for coarse fill or fine fill, depending on the liquid’s viscosity and production requirements.
Common Liquids Filled Using Drum and Tote Filling Machines
- Engine Oils and Lubricants:
- Engine oils, motor oils, and hydraulic oils are the most commonly filled liquids in 55-gallon drums using automatic drum filling machines. Lubricant oil filling machines are specifically designed to handle high-viscosity fluids efficiently.
- Edible Oils:
- Cooking oil, palm oil, and vegetable oil are typically filled into HDPE barrels or IBC containers using automatic filling systems. The edible oil filling line ensures precise dispensing while adhering to food safety standards.
- Chemical and Industrial Liquids:
- Solvents, acids, alkalis, and cleaning chemicals are often handled with chemical filling equipment designed for safe and explosion-proof dispensing. Products like paint thinners, sulfuric acid, and bleach are typically filled in steel drums or IBC containers.
- Pesticides and Fertilizers:
- Pesticides and fertilizers are typically dispensed into IBC containers using tote filling equipment. These machines are equipped with safety features to ensure precise filling without spills or contamination.
- Resins and Hardeners:
- Resins, epoxy hardeners, and adhesives (like epoxy, PVA) are often filled using automated drum filling systems, ensuring slow-fill modes to avoid overflows or foaming.

Types of Drums and Containers for Drum and Tote Filling Machines
Drum and tote filling machines can fill various container types, making them highly adaptable for different industries. Here are the most common types:
- HDPE Drums (High-Density Polyethylene): Used for lubricants, food oils, and personal care products like shampoos and hand sanitizers.
- 55-gallon HDPE drum, 30-gallon HDPE drum, and 55-gallon HDPE barrel.
- Steel Drums / Metal Barrels: Typically used for chemicals, solvents, and paints.
- 55-gallon steel drum, metal barrels for hazardous or non-food liquids.
- IBC Containers (Intermediate Bulk Containers): Ideal for bulk liquids like fertilizers, detergents, and liquids requiring bulk storage.
- IBC filling machines cater to large-volume liquid handling, making them perfect for large-scale production.
Key Features of Drum and Tote Filling Systems
- Explosion-Proof and CE Certified:
- Designed for the safe filling of flammable liquids, such as solvents, motor oils, and paints, explosion-proof drum filling machines meet ATEX and IECEx standards for hazardous environments.
- High-Speed and Precision:
- Automatic drum fillers can fill up to 30 barrels per hour (for 55-gallon drums) with ±0.1% accuracy, ensuring consistency and minimal waste.
- Versatility:
- Whether filling resins, oils, or chemicals, drum and tote filling machines can handle various liquid viscosities, with coarse/fine fill modes for handling different types of liquids.
- User-Friendly Control:
- Equipped with a PLC control system and touchscreen interface, automatic drum filling systems make it easy to adjust settings, monitor filling levels, and ensure efficient production.
Conclusion: Why Drum and Tote Filling Machines Are Essential
Drum and tote filling machines are integral to industries that require precision filling of oils, chemicals, and other liquids into 55-gallon drums, IBC containers, and totes. With automatic drum filling systems, industries can achieve high-speed performance, precision, and safety, particularly when handling flammable or hazardous liquids.
If you’re looking to increase productivity, improve filling accuracy, and enhance safety, drum and tote filling machines are the ideal solution for your operations.
