Closing Instructions


Tight Head/Open Head Steel Drums


Tight Head Drum

1.     Verify that the gasket is completely seated in the pocket of the head. Seat the cover onto the false wire (A) of the drum, making sure that contact is made with the gasket in the cover.

2.     Apply the ring closure, making sure that it grasps the top of the cover and bottom of the drum false wire (A) uniformly.

3.     Spacing the ring lugs (B) properly is necessary for the integrity of the closure (see illustration on drum locking rings). For a top lever locking ring, the top lever must be fully locked into place under the securing bar.

4.     The 2 inch and 3/4 inch plugs should be tightened to the specified torque after filling the container, (see illustration on recommended plug torques). Cap sealing is recommended to reduce tampering.

5.     After filling our containers, they must be properly closed before being offered for transportation. The assembly guidelines listed should be followed but not limited to, to insure that the container will perform to the marking level indicated thereon.




Drum Plugs


Round Head Plug Hex Head Plug










Recommended Torque*                 Recommended Torque*
2" Plug 3/4" Plug Gasket 2" Plug 3/4" Plug
15-20 Ft. Lbs. 10-12 Ft. Lbs. Buna 30 Ft. Lbs. 15 Ft. Lbs.
15-20 Ft. Lbs. 10-12 Ft. Lbs. Neoprene    
25-30 Ft. Lbs. 15-20 Ft. Lbs. Poly Irradiated 40 Ft. Lbs. 20 Ft. Lbs.
15-20 Ft. Lbs. 10-12 Ft. Lbs. EPDM
EPT		 30 Ft. Lbs. 15 Ft. Lbs
15-20 Ft. Lbs. 10-12 Ft. Lbs. Viton    
25-30 Ft. Lbs. 7-8 Ft. Lbs. Polyethylene Plug
with Polyethylene
Gasket		 20 Ft. Lbs. 9 Ft. Lbs.
25-30 Ft. Lbs. 7-8 Ft. Lbs. Nylon Plugs
with Poly I Gasket		 20 Ft. Lbs. 9 Ft. Lbs.
*Recommended Torque Per Manufacturer


Drum Locking Rings

Bolt Rings


The locking nut (A) required for proper application of style UN1A2 (12 gauge ring) must be placed between the lugs and securely tightened against the unthreaded lug(B), after the ring is closed to within 1/8 of an inch minimum to 1/4 of an inch maximum (see illustration above). On a UN1A2 (16 gauge ring), insert the 5/16 inch bolt through the unthreaded lug (C), then through the lug that has a 5/16 inch threaded fitting inserted into it (D). Tighten the ring to a minimum of 1/8 of an inch, to a maximum of 1/4 of an inch (see illustration above).
Please Note:
The components of a drum from one drum manufacturer should NOT be intermingled with those of another. This insures proper fit of the subassemblies and performance of the drum.


Open Head Lug Cover Pail


Open Head Lug Cover
1.     After filling the pail, seat the lug cover onto the false wire (A) of the pail, making sure that contact is made with the gasket.
2.     If using a manual crimping tool, place the tool over the cover, align the tool segments (B) with the cover lugs (C), making sure that it is level and evenly seated on the cover.
3.     Push down on the tool handles evenly until the tool has bottomed out (adjustment setting). Release the tool, rotate it approximately one inch, and proceed to make another crimp.
4.     After completion of the closure, the cover gasket should be uniformly compressed, and the cover lugs should be tightly secured to the false wire (see illustration for the correct closure). If it is necessary, normally an adjustment can be made to the tool to obtain the proper closure.
5.     If using a pneumatic semi-automatic tool, connect the air supply to the tool using a suggested air pressure of 80 P.S.I.. Follow the same procedure as Number 1, align the tool segments with the cover lugs, actuate the tool, insure that the cover lugs are tightly secured to the false wire (see illustration for the correct closure). Adjustments can be made to the tool if required for the proper closure. Do not over crimp.
6.     Our containers must be properly closed before being offered for transportation. The assembly guidelines listed should be followed, but not limited to, to insure that the container will perform to the UN marking indicated thereon.




Please Note:
The components of a pail from one pail manufacturer should not be intermingled with those of another. This ensures the proper fit of the subassemblies and performance of the pail.


Tight Head Pail


Tight Head Pail 1.     After filling the pail and you are applying a metal inner seal (A) and a screw cap (B) manually to a clinched in nozzle (C), secure the pail on a flat surface.
2.     Place the inner seal onto the nozzle, use an inner seal insertion tool to seat the inner seal, screw the cap onto the nozzle. Insure that the cap and thread are engaged and are not crossthreaded.
3.     With a torque wrench, tighten the cap to a specific torque depending upon the product that is being packaged. The manufacturers recommended torque should be between thirty and forty inch pounds. For various desired package requirements, examine the removal torque.
4.     For installing a screw cap with an automatic capper, set the torque to a specific torque depending upon the product that is being packaged. The manufacturers recommended torque should be between thirty and forty inch pounds. Insure that there is not an excessive amount of cross threaded caps. If so, check the alignment of the cap and the container nozzle. For various desired package requirements, examine the removal torque.
5.     For installing a clinch-on flexible polyethylene closure manually with a hand operated crimping tool,(D) place the spout (E) onto the pail opening, insuring that it is properly positioned. Position the tool evenly until the tool has bottomed out. Examine the completed insertion with a go gauge. If the fitting insertion is proper, the gauge will pass freely over it.
6.     For installing a clinch-on flexible polyethylene closure with a semi-automatic pneumatic crimping tool (F), place the fitting onto the pail opening insuring that it is properly positioned. Position the tool evenly over the fitting, activate the tool, examine the completed insertion with a go gauge(G). The gauge will pass freely over the fitting if properly inserted.

Our containers must be properly closed before being offered for transportation. The assembly guidelines listed should be followed, but not limited to, to insure that the container will perform to the UN marking indicated thereon.

Please Note:
The components of a pail from one pail manufacturer should not be intermingled with those of another. This insures the proper fit of the subassemblies and performance of the pail.
Tight Head Poly Drums

A.  Place plugs(with gasket) into the corresponding drum opening of corresponding size and thread pattern.
B.  Tighten to torque values as follows:
       1.  55 Gallon Act I or Act II Poly Drums
                2"    Act Plugs:       30-35 FT LBS
                2"    NPT Tri-Sure:10-12 FT LBS(Self gasketing plugs)
       2.  Standard 55/30 Gallon Poly Drums
                2"    Buttress:         20 FT LBS     
                2"    NPT:                20 FT LBS
       3.  15 Gallon Poly Drums
                2"    NPT:                20 FT LBS
                3/4" NPT:                  9 FT LBS

Open Head Poly Drums

A.  Covers supplied with the drums must be attached to the drums with lever action or bolt ring locking bands.
B.  Bolt rings are tightened down until 1/4" - 1/2" of space separates each end of the ring.
C.  Bung openings in open top drum lids must be fitted with the proper 2" or 3/4" bung as specified:
                 2"                              20 FT LBS              
                 3/4"                             9 FT LBS
D.  Gaskets are not required for packaging dry products.
E.  If you are packaging a liquid product, check with the drum manufacturer for gasket requirements.
Intermediate Bulk Containers

A.  6" Top covers should be torqued to 45 FT LBS
B.  6" Lids containing smaller openings should have the smaller closures torqued as follows:
                 2"   Plugs                 30 FT LBS
                 3/4"Plugs                   9 FT LBS


The reconditioner is not responsible for (1) improper sealing procedures by the shipper or (2) improper or lack of proper tightening of closures by the shipper. Any containers used for packing of hazardous materials should be inspected prior to filling and shipment. Containers with obvious damage, defects or deterioration should not be filled or shipped.
Site Map

American Containers, Inc.
10471 Mammoth Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70814
Phone: 225-927-1670
Toll Free: 800-979-3536
Fax: 225-927-6160