Barrel hook

01 · THE HEAVIER, THE TIGHTER

The geometry does the work

There is nothing to tighten: the grip force grows with the weight of the drum, because the pull of the load itself closes the clamp. The heavier it is, the harder it holds.

From which comes the handling rule: what keeps it closed is being under load. If the drum touches the ground or the cable goes slack mid-manoeuvre, the clamp relaxes. Raise and lower in one continuous movement, and nobody passes underneath.

02 · THE 300 KG IS THE GROSS

Count the tare

The 300 kg capacity is what hangs from the hook: honey and drum. And that is the trap in the naming — a drum is called “300 kg” for the honey it holds, not for what it weighs full.

A large steel drum weighs on the order of 30 kg empty, so filled to its name it lands at around 330. Before hanging it, add the two figures and compare them with the capacity.

03 · WHERE IT GRIPS

By the top rim

It hooks onto the top rim of the drum, and works on steel and on plastic. That is what separates it from a sling: nothing has to be passed underneath and the drum does not have to be tipped to fit it.

It goes on a standard crane, so it slots into the hoist or jib you already have in the honey house.

04 · BEFORE YOU BUY

This is the hook: