Tote Tipper Pump Skid Systems

A Tote Tipper Skid System is a modular, engineered unit designed to tilt and discharge materials from IBC totes, drums, or other containers in a controlled and efficient manner. These systems typically include a pneumatic or mechanical tipping frame, a skid-mounted base (steel or stainless steel), safety guarding to eliminate pinch points, integrated controls, and optional pumps, day tanks, agitators, and instrumentation. They automate the emptying of liquids from totes into downstream processes, and a day tank positioned beneath an empty tote allows for tote changes without interrupting production, ensuring zero downtime.

Tote Tipper Skid Systems are known by several other names: Tote Dumper, Tote Tilter, IBC Tipper / IBC Dumper, Bin Tipper, Container Tipper, Tote Unloader Skid, Tote Decanting System, or Bulk Material Discharge Skid.

These systems are widely used in industries that handle bulk materials, particularly where totes are used for inbound ingredients:

• Food & Beverage (ingredients, purees, syrups, powders)
• Chemical & Specialty Chemical
• Water & Wastewater Treatment
• Paints, Coatings & Adhesives
• Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical
• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Agriculture & Feed Processing
• Packaging & Plastics
• Municipal Utilities

Tote Tipper Skid Systems are essential because they automate material handling, reduce manual labor, improve safety by eliminating manual lifting or container manipulation, ensure full tote emptying to reduce waste, create a predictable and clean material flow, and integrate seamlessly into existing production lines. By bridging the gap between bulk inbound containers and continuous production processes, these systems help facilities operate safely, efficiently, and consistently.

Benefits of Tote Tipper Pump Skid Systems

Operational Benefits

• Minimizes residual chemical/product left in tote after it has been emptied.
• Automated notification of empty tote.
• No downtime required to change tote.
• Dry disconnect hoses

Productivity Benefits

• Free up labor from repetitive or high-risk lifting tasks
• Standardized handling of all tote sizes and materials
• Automated monitoring through plant DCS or alarms
• Mitigate risk of production shutdown with use of PLC and day tank reserves

Safety Benefits

• Eliminates ergonomic risks (strain, lifting injuries)
• Enclosed/guarded designs reduce operator exposure
• Reduced risk of spills/dripping.  Day tank allows tote and outlet hose to be completely emptied before tote is changed.

Quality & Process Benefits

• Better control of ingredient dosing
• Reduced contamination risks
• More accurate batching and blending

Financial Benefits

• Less product waste
• Increased product recovery 
• Lower maintenance cost compared to manual solutions
• Reduced operating costs via automation

Do you have additional questions about the benefits of skid systems and how they can support your production line goals? Contact our team today or request a quote online to get the conversation started.

Crane Engineering’s Approach to Skid Specifications

Crane Engineering builds each skid system to meet the unique needs and requirements of each customer. We work with each client to discuss several key factors, including:

• What is the application and use case?
• What are your current challenges in the process?
• What are the facility footprint constraints?
• What are the technical specifications? (e.g. concentration, flowrate, and pressure)
• What is the best design for the facility? 
• In what form is the material received? 

Crane Engineering has been serving customers for more than 80 years and is Wisconsin's largest distributor of industrial-grade pumps, valves, filters, wastewater treatment equipment, and other fluid processing technology.