Product Information

About us

St Clare Engineering Ltd manufactures a range of Fork Truck Attachments and are considered one of the world leaders in drum handling under the Grab-O-Matic trade name. 

The majority of our products are drum handling fork attachments dealing with the moving, tilting and lifting of plastic, steel or fibre-board drums of varying shapes, sizes and weights.  Our bespoke product range also extends to pedestrian drum trolleys, work platforms, stacker trucks, self-dumping hoppers and reel turning units.

All items are robustly constructed and can be fitted to most Fork Trucks in seconds without the need for Electric or Hydraulic connections. Safety issues are paramount when designing, manufacturing and using fork lift truck attachments, with this in mind all our attachments carry the CE mark, are issued with a certificate of conformity and full operational instructions. All frames and pillars are made from 6-12mm steel. To compound our policy on quality, the attachments are manufactured in the UK to ISO 9001:2008 and issued with Test Certificates to confirm Safe Working Loads, providing you with assurance and peace of mind.

Grab-O-Matic handling aids are manufactured entirely in the UK by precision engineers, backed up by 100% inspection. Because of the high degree of engineering and careful choice of materials and treatments used, Grab-O-Matic units are virtually maintenance free and only require occasional oiling.

A full after-sales and back up service is available with all Grab-O-Matics, repairs are carried out quickly and efficiently on all equipment to minimise operational downtime.

Alternative Drum Handling

Bespoke Attachments

Drum Rotators

Rim Grippers

Waste Grippers

Fork Lift Attachments

Reel Attachments

Bespoke Products

Atex Stainless Steel

Liftomatic Attachments

Pedestrian Handlers

Stacker and Pallet Trucks

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Articles/Press Releases

• 04/11/2024 - Best practices for drum handling with forklift attachments
  Whether you're handling oil, chemicals, or other drum-contained materials, safe and efficient handling is essential.
• 10/10/2024 - Raise a glass (and a barrel): whisky barrel forklift attachments from St Clare Engineering
  Handling whisky barrels just got a whole lot easier!
• 03/09/2024 - Ensure safe handling of chemical drums
  Handling chemical drums safely is essential to prevent accidents, spills, and contamination while ensuring regulatory compliance.
• 26/07/2024 - Drum handling forklift attachments for the food and drink sector
  In the food and drink industry, the efficient and safe handling of materials is crucial for maintaining product quality and operational productivity.
• 26/06/2024 - Benefits of drum handling equipment in the Agriculture sector
  High quality drum handling equipment is essential in the agricultural industry, where heavy or hazardous materials must be moved and stored.
• 17/06/2024 - Better warehousing with forklift drum handling attachments
  Forklift drum handling attachments can reduce workplace injuries in the warehousing and distribution sector, improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
• 02/05/2024 - Enhancing safety in oil and gas operations with Grab-O-Matic drum handling solutions
  Handling the unique challenges of the oil and gas industry requires specific tools designed for safety and efficiency.
• 16/04/2024 - Enhanced efficiency in Recycling & Waste Management
  How forklift drum handling attachments improve efficiency and save costs
• 10/04/2024 - Transform your manufacturing operations with St. Clare Engineering
  At St. Clare Engineering, we understand the challenges the maufacturing industry faces daily, especially when it comes to handling large containers and drums in sectors such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.
• 27/02/2024 - Grab O Matic’s ‘Quick Release’ attachment for every industry
  At St Clare Engineering, we understand the challenges businesses face in managing drums and barrels efficiently without compromising on safety.
• 28/11/2023 - Hiring forklift drum handling equipment
  In the world of industry, versatility is key. At St Clare Engineering, we recognize that not all customers require drum handling attachments on a regular basis.
• 24/10/2023 - Unload containers efficiently with the right drum handling equipment
  Unloading barrels from shipping containers is a task that can be labour-intensive and time-consuming. However, with the right equipment it can be quick and efficient.
• 30/08/2023 - Improve efficiency with the right forklift attachments
  Forklifts are found at every stage along today’s supply chains, from production facilities to transport, warehousing and delivery operations.
• 03/08/2023 - Improve efficiency with the right forklift attachments
  How forklift drum handling attachments save you time and money
• 10/07/2023 - Reusing and recycling scrap metal
  At St Clare Engineering, sustainability is at the heart of our manufacturing practices and key to this is minimising waste and maximising resource utilisation in the production of our drum handling forklift truck attachments.
• 13/06/2023 - How Grab-O-Matic forklift truck drum handling equipment improves safety
  Today is National Forklift Safety Day, a global initiative to raise awareness of the safe use of forklift trucks and the importance of proper operator training.
• 08/06/2023 - Reusing and recycling scrap metal
  At St Clare Engineering, sustainability is at the heart of our manufacturing practices and key to this is minimising waste and maximising resource utilisation in the production of our drum handling forklift truck attachments.
• 16/05/2023 - Personal attention from start to finish
  We are proud that every piece of Grab-O-Matic drum handling equipment from St Clare Engineering is built and tested by a trained expert.
• 26/04/2023 - British drum handling attachments for customers across the world
  St Clare Engineering justifies its strong international reputation
• 27/03/2023 - British drum handling attachments for customers across the world
  St Clare Engineering supplies high quality equipment to the oil, chemical, logistics and engineering industries across the world and has a world class reputation you can trust.
• 10/02/2023 - Handling drums safely in hazardous environments
  If there is any risk of explosion on your premises, your equipment must meet the right safety standards.
• 22/11/2022 - Book your annual service to ensure safe drum lifting
  Buying properly made forklift truck drum handling equipment from St Clare Engineering is the best way to ensure you will be able to lift, move and tilt drums safely for decades.
• 24/10/2022 - Controlled pouring and drum rotation from St Clare Engineering
  If you need to lift, tip and rotate drums to empty the contents we have a wide range of forklift truck drum rotator attachments to suit your needs.
• 06/10/2022 - Protect your team and your business by using the right tools
  Safe handling of drums is important for many reasons:
• 24/08/2022 - Drum handling equipment – made to last
  Did you know that well-manufactured drum handling equipment can be expected to last for decades? In fact some of our drums handlers delivered in the late 80s are still going strong after 35 years!
• 03/08/2022 - Pedestrian drum handlers
  In addition to our extensive range of forklift truck attachments for handling drums in larger areas or quantities, we also manufacture/supply a range of equipment to allow a person to safely lift or move individual drums without the need for a forklift truck.
• 25/05/2022 - Drum Handling Equipment available for hire
  St Clare Engineering’s range of drum handling forklift truck attachments make quick work of handling all types of drums and barrels. Did you know you can rent Grab-O-Matic equipment direct from us for just a week, or for as long as you need it?
• 13/04/2022 - Drum handling expertise at St Clare Engineering
  Since inventing our Grab-O-Matic rim gripping fork attachment drum handler in 1959, over sixty years later it remains our best-seller and we have built a reputation for excellent quality, service and reliability.
• 22/02/2022 - How to handle open or closed drums using Grab-O-Matic
  The top of a barrel or drum is designated either Open Head or Tight Head depending on the type of opening. Grab-O-Matic drum handling equipment is designed to work whether your drum is open head or tight head.
• 27/01/2022 - For easy handling of your steel drums choose Grab-O-Matic
  Steel drums are highly versatile, offering greater strength and resilience, compared to plastic or fibre drums.
• 10/01/2022 - St Clare leads the way in Great British Engineering
  Grab-O-Matic drum handling forklift truck attachments are manufactured entirely in the UK by St Clare Engineering, bringing the benefits of British engineering to customers in the UK and across the world.
• 18/11/2021 - The best forklift truck attachment for your Plastic L Ring Drums
  Plastic L Ring drums are robust and can withstand heavy handling and rolling, but for efficiency and to ensure manual handling guidelines are followed you will find it easy to lift this type of drum using standard Grab-O-Matic rim grip forklift truck attachments.
• 28/10/2021 - Using rim gripper attachments to move drums
  Grab-O-Matic drum attachments are designed to enable you to move drums easily by forklift truck.
• 05/10/2021 - Whiskey barrels lifted with ease using bespoke Grab-O-Matic tools
  In the world of whiskey, distillers have historically relied on burly men to move barrels manually – but this is considered neither safe nor practical for all workers.
• 27/09/2021 - When to choose a waist gripper to move drums
  Drums can easily be lifted by forklift truck using our Grab-O-Matic drum attachments – but it is important to choose the right lifting solution.
• 02/08/2021 - Why Grab-O-Matic gripping heads are the best rim grippers for your drum handling needs
  At St Clare Engineering Ltd. we build forklift truck drum handling equipment to last. If you are looking for rim gripper attachments to lift and move your drums, you will find Grab-O-Matic gripping heads and jaws lead the way in strength and resilience.
• 30/06/2021 - Lift fibre drums easily with our specialised forklift truck attachments
  Fibre drums are a versatile and affordable alternative to plastic or steel drums being:
• 02/06/2021 - Specialist fork lift attachments for your Mauser drums
  If you need to move a open top plastic drum, known as a Mauser drum, you will need specialist equipment to do so, due to the tapered shape of the drums.
• 22/04/2021 - We cover your drum handling needs with a range of standard attachments
  We are well known for manufacturing bespoke forklift drum handling attachments, but we also manufacture a range of standard attachments straight off the shelf, which makes delivery faster and more cost effective for clients.
• 08/03/2021 - Moving barrels of all shapes and sizes
  We may have gone through dry January, and after the most recent announcement from the Government it looks like we might have to wait a bit longer before visiting a bar or pub.
• 03/12/2020 - Manufacturing a bespoke mobile mixing bowl lifter & tilter
  At St Clare Engineering we manufacture a broad range of bespoke drum handlng attachments to solve problems for different industries
• 13/10/2020 - Warning signs that your forklift attachment is about to fail
  It is important that forklift drum handling attachments are kept in good working order to ensure the equipment does not fail.
• 16/09/2020 - Specialist drum handling attachments for explosive ATEX environments
  We manufacture various options for ATEX (Atmospheres Explosible) drum handlers that can be used where a spark is likely to cause an explosion.
• 02/07/2020 - How to move and lift drums with a forklift truck
  Efficiency depends on having the right tools for the job and this is certainly true when lifting and moving large numbers of drums.
• 03/06/2020 - Making Drum Rotating Safer & Easier
  There are many reasons why a business which buys its raw materials in drums, needs to rotate them – mixing ingredients or decanting contents into smaller containers.
• 23/03/2020 - COVID-19 Response
  We are closely monitoring the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak to ensure we are protecting the health of the St Clare Engineering team, our customers, suppliers and communities.
• 03/03/2020 - Bespoke forklift drum handling attachments for wine and whisky barrels
  Over the past 30 years we have continued to evolve our Grab-O-Matic products to support safe and efficient drum handling in increasingly varied sectors.
• 07/02/2020 - A bespoke drum cage solution
  In June 2019 St Clare Engineering was approached by a major Dutch marine supplies company who supply offshore oil and gas platforms worldwide.
• 17/12/2019 - St Clare Engineering nominated as finalists in 2020 Fork Lift Truck Awards
  We are incredibly excited and proud to announce that St Clare Engineering has been nominated for a Fork Lift Truck Association Award for Excellence in 2020!
• 25/11/2019 - The benefits of mechanical forklift truck drum handling attachments
  For over 60 years, St Clare Engineering has been developing mechanical drum handling forklift attachments that don’t suffer from the limitations of hydraulic or electrical systems.
• 15/10/2019 - Why do customers stick with Grab-O-Matic mechanical fork attachment drum handlers?
  Many of our customers have been using the Grab-O-Matic forklift drum handlers for over 30 years and they still come back for more. That’s because our mechanical fork attachment drum handlers are the best on the market.
• 07/10/2019 - Grab-O-Matic forklift drum handlers - a lifetime investment
  Many of our customers have been using the Grab-O-Matic forklift drum handlers for over 30 years and they still come back for more!
• 22/08/2019 - Stay safe and keep your forklift equipment in good working order
  When using forklift attachments or drum handlers there are common danger signs to look out for that indicate the equipment may be about to fail.
• 27/06/2019 - From pole to equator, Grab-O-Matic performs
  The Grab-O-Matic range has been designed to work in any climate.
• 18/06/2019 - Hiring drum handling equipment
  Some of our customers only use drum handling attachments on their forklift trucks for a specific task once or twice a year in which case it makes sense to hire it from us instead of purchasing outright.
• 26/04/2019 - Give your forklift drum handling attachments an annual service to stay safe and H&S compliant
  It is recommended in the Health and Safety Executive’s Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998, for the user of lifting equipment to have it inspected by a suitably trained and competent person every 6 – 12 months.
• 26/03/2019 - It's our 60th anniversary!
  St Clare Engineering was founded in Lymington in 1959.
• 20/12/2018 - Drum handling forklift attachments that won’t let you down!
  St Clare Engineering is accredited to IS0 9001:2015 which means we comply with the latest requirements for quality management systems, providing products and services that consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements.
• 02/11/2018 - The only worldwide manufacturer of Grab-O-Matic drum handling fork attachments
  How forklift truck drum handling attachments contribute to good health and safety practice
• 06/09/2018 - Removing drums quickly and safely from containers or lorries
  Time can be critical when transporting goods, but when workers are put under deadline pressure, accidents happen - spillages, crushed feet and fingers, damaged backs or worse.
• 10/08/2018 - Do you have problems handling open top plastic drums?
  The Grab-O-Matic range of Base Gripper fork attachments could be the solution you have been looking for.
• 16/03/2018 - Unique Quick Release System
  This unique safety innovation eliminates the need for the fork lift truck driver to dismount from the cab to secure the drum grabs to the forks with T bolts and chains, thereby reducing the risk of accidents, saving time and increasing productivity!

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Latest Reviews

St Clare Engineering

We have always received a great service and onlly quality products from St Clare Engineering and can highly recommend them.

By Anonymous . of LiftMate - 05 January 2024

St Clare Engineering

I bought 4 x tipping skips that have been delivered this morning, the quality of the goods is excellent and the service was second to none. Communication was first class with a regular email to let me know where the skips were in the delivery process. Would recommend these guys to all. Excellent service!!!!

By Darren Reed - 27 January 2023

Related categories

• Attachments
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• Brick Grabs & Crane Forks
• Drum Handling
• Drum Handling Attachments
• Drum Handling Equipment
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• FLT Attachments
• Fork Lift Truck Attachments
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• Handling Equipment
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• Materials handling consultancy
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• Materials handling equipment servicing
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• Reel handling
• Reel Handling Attachments
• Reel Handling Equipment
• Rim Grippers
• Roll handling equipment
• Storage & handling
• Waist Grippers