TL;DR: A 200 litre drum pump empties standard 200 L (208 L / 55 gallon) drums without tipping or scooping. For grease up to NLGI 2, choose a 50:1 pneumatic pump with a follower plate; for oils, a 3:1–5:1 air-operated transfer pump is enough. IsoHiTech builds both, with matched drum covers and hoses.
- 200 L, 208 L and 55 gallon are the same standard drum (Ø 571 mm × 845 mm, 2" bung).
- Grease needs 40:1–60:1 pressure ratios; oil only needs 3:1–10:1.
- A 50:1 pneumatic drum pump delivers roughly 0.9–1.6 kg of NLGI 2 grease per minute.
What Is a 200 Litre Drum Pump?
A 200 litre drum pump is a transfer or lubrication pump engineered to fit the standard 200 litre steel drum used worldwide for grease, oil and other industrial fluids. The pump tube drops through the drum’s 2-inch bung, and air or manual pressure pushes the fluid out through a hose to a grease gun, metered nozzle or centralized lubrication line. Because the drum is sealed by a drum cover, the lubricant stays clean and the pump can be swapped from one drum to the next in minutes.
The 200 litre drum is the metric name for what North American suppliers call the 55 gallon drum. The actual ISO 15750 capacity is 208.2 litres (55 US gallons), so any pump specified for a 55 gallon drum also fits a 200 litre drum — the suction tube length of 950–1,000 mm and the Ø 571 mm drum cover are identical.
Pneumatic vs Manual vs Electric 200 Litre Drum Pumps
| Drive type | Pressure ratio | Best for | Typical output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumatic (air-operated) | 40:1–60:1 | NLGI 0–2 grease, continuous duty, long hose runs | 0.9–1.6 kg/min grease |
| Manual lever / hand | Direct displacement | Low-volume top-ups, sites without compressed air | 2–4 cm³ per stroke |
| Electric (12V–380V) | Up to 40 MPa | Timed automatic cycles, remote or vehicle power | 60–200 cm³/min |
A pneumatic 200 litre drum pump is the default choice for grease: compressed air drives a reciprocating piston that multiplies line pressure 50 times, so 6 bar shop air becomes 300 bar at the outlet — enough to push NLGI 2 grease through 10 metres of hose and a metered gun. For oils and light fluids, a 3:1–5:1 air-operated transfer pump moves far more volume per minute and costs less to run.
Sizing a Pump for a 200 Litre Drum
Three dimensions decide fit: the 2-inch (DN50) bung thread, the 845 mm drum height that fixes suction tube length at 950–1,000 mm, and the Ø 571 mm drum cover that seals the top. Beyond fit, size the pump by lubricant and duty cycle:
- Grease NLGI 0–1: 40:1 pump is sufficient for hose runs under 5 m.
- Grease NLGI 2: 50:1 pump with follower plate (the plate wipes the drum wall and prevents air pockets).
- Grease NLGI 3 / cold climates: 60:1 pump and a heated hose if ambient falls below −10 °C.
- Oil and hydraulic fluid: 3:1–5:1 transfer pump, 10–30 L/min.
200 Litre Drum Pumps from IsoHiTech
- 55 gallon (200 L) drum grease pump — 50:1 pneumatic unit with drum cover, follower plate and 4 m hose for NLGI 0–2.
- Pneumatic grease pump for 200 L drums — 50:1 ratio, up to 8,700 PSI, for high-pressure dispensing.
- Pneumatic grease pump 50:1 & 58:1 — industrial drum pump kits with metered gun options.
- Mobile drum lubrication trolley — air-operated 200 L drum on wheels for workshop and fleet bays.
- Hand grease filler pump — manual option for low-volume refilling from 200 L drums.
200 Litre vs 55 Gallon: Same Drum, Different Name
Search data shows buyers split almost evenly between “200 litre drum pump” and “55 gallon drum pump”. Both phrases describe the same ISO drum, so our 55 gallon drum grease pump buying guide applies equally — it covers drum cover sealing, follower plate selection and hose sizing in more detail. If you are comparing pump models for a 200 L drum, the grease pump hub lists every drive type we manufacture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a 55 gallon drum pump fit a 200 litre drum?
Yes. The 200 litre (208.2 L) drum and the 55 US gallon drum are the same container under ISO 15750, with the same 2-inch bung and 845 mm height. Any 55 gallon drum pump fits a 200 litre drum directly.
What air pressure does a 50:1 pneumatic drum pump need?
Most 50:1 pumps run on 4–8 bar (60–120 PSI) of compressed air and multiply it to 200–400 bar at the grease outlet. A typical workshop compressor of 0.6–1.0 m³/min is enough for intermittent dispensing.
Do I need a follower plate for grease?
For NLGI 2 and stiffer greases, yes. The follower plate sits on the grease surface, wipes the drum wall clean and stops the pump from drawing air pockets, which keeps output steady until the drum is empty.
Can one pump handle both oil and grease?
No. Grease pumps use high pressure ratios (40:1–60:1) and piston seals sized for thick lubricants; oil transfer pumps use low ratios (3:1–10:1) for high flow. Using an oil pump on grease stalls the motor; using a grease pump on oil is slow and wasteful.
How long does a 200 litre drum of grease last?
A 200 L drum holds roughly 180 kg of grease. At a typical fleet workshop consumption of 2–5 kg per day, one drum lasts 6–12 weeks. Centralized systems feeding progressive divider blocks usually empty a drum in 1–3 months.
Need help matching a pump to your drum, lubricant and hose run? Contact IsoHiTech with your lubricant grade and daily volume — we reply with a sized quotation within 24 hours.
Before you buy: read our complete guide to grease pumps.