100/hr
Small containers (YCS30)
60/hr
200L drums (YCS300)
±0.1%
Fill accuracy
10 SKUs
Product recipes stored
A drum filling machine has two jobs: fill the right weight every time, and do it without creating a hazard. Most problems on drum filling lines trace to one of three sources — foam formation from drop-fill on surfactants, vapour loss from top-fill on volatile solvents, or weight drift across a shift from uncorrected tare. The YCS series addresses all three before they reach your line.
Bottom-Fill vs Top-Fill: The Most Important Decision
The fill mode is determined by your liquid’s characteristics — specifically whether it foams or generates vapour when agitated. Choosing the wrong mode causes either foam overflow (bottom fill on viscous oils) or vapour contamination (top fill on solvents). The YCS series offers both modes; specify at order stage.
Bottom-Fill Mode (Submerged Nozzle)
The nozzle descends into the drum before flow starts. Liquid fills from below, eliminating drop height and preventing air entrainment. As the liquid level rises, the nozzle retracts automatically.
Use when your liquid:
- Foams when agitated (surfactants, detergents, shampoo)
- Is volatile or has a low vapour pressure (solvents, alcohols, acetone)
- Generates gas during filling (some acid solutions)
- Must minimise air contact (oxidation-sensitive products)
Examples: acetone, IPA, liquid detergent, pesticide concentrate, ethanol, liquid fragrances
Top-Fill Mode (Nozzle Above Liquid)
The nozzle remains above the liquid surface throughout filling. Simpler mechanically; easier to clean between product changes. Suitable when foaming and vapour are not concerns.
Use when your liquid:
- Is viscous and does not foam (oils, resins, syrups)
- Contains suspended solids that could block a submerged nozzle
- Requires frequent product changeover (nozzle is more accessible)
- Is at elevated temperature (hot-fill applications)
Examples: engine oil, hydraulic fluid, honey, liquid glucose, hot-melt adhesive (with heated nozzle option), paint
YCS Series Model Overview
Three models cover the full range from 1 kg small cans to 1,200 kg IBC tanks. Choose the model that matches your primary container size:
YCS30(H)-BU
Small Container Type
- Fill range: 20–50 kg
- Speed: Up to 100/hr
- Container: 10–60L cans/drums
- Nozzle: DN50, 316 SS
- Power: 220V / 500W
YCS300(H)-BU
200L Drum Type
- Fill range: 50–300 kg
- Speed: Up to 60/hr
- Container: 50–200L drums
- Nozzle: DN50, 316 SS
- Power: 220V / 500W
YCS300(H)-BM
IBC Tank Type
- Fill range: 300–1,200 kg
- Speed: 60 fills/hr
- Container: 600–1,500L IBC
- Nozzle: DN65, 316 SS
- Power: 380V / 16kVA
Industries & Liquid Types
| Industry | Typical Liquids | Fill Mode | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Manufacturing | Solvents, acids (dilute), alkalis, liquid fertiliser | Bottom-fill | 316 SS nozzle; PTFE seals for corrosive products |
| Lubricants & Oils | Engine oil, hydraulic fluid, gear oil, greases | Top-fill | Heated nozzle option for high-viscosity oils at low temperature |
| Food & Beverage | Edible oil, vinegar, soy sauce, liquid flavourings | Bottom-fill (edible oil) / Top-fill | Food-grade SS; CIP-compatible nozzle design |
| Agrochemicals | Herbicides, pesticides, liquid fungicides | Bottom-fill | Vapour containment; corrosion-resistant wetted parts |
| Cleaning Products | Liquid detergent, bleach, disinfectant, hand sanitiser | Bottom-fill | Anti-foam fill mode; SS construction |
| Pharmaceuticals | Ethanol solutions, liquid APIs, antiseptics | Bottom-fill | GMP-compatible; documentation package available |
| Paints & Coatings | Water-based paints, resin solutions, adhesives | Top-fill | Easy-clean nozzle; recipe storage for colour changeover |
Automatic vs Manual Drum Filling: The Real Comparison
| Metric | Manual Filling | YCS Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Speed (200L drums) | 15–20 drums/hr per operator | 60 drums/hr |
| Fill accuracy | ±2–3% (visual gauge or manual weighing) | ±0.1–0.2% |
| Operator exposure | Direct contact — fumes, splash risk | Minimal — nozzle sealed to drum during fill |
| Overfill waste | High — operators add excess to ensure compliance | Near zero — automatic in-flight correction |
| Shift consistency | Degrades as operator fatigues | Constant throughout shift |
| Regulatory compliance | Difficult to document per-drum weight records | Fill weight data logged per drum |
| Labour cost | 1–2 dedicated operators per line | 1 monitor operator for the line |
How to Specify a Drum Filling Machine: 4 Product Parameters
A drum filling machine that runs cleanly on solvent filling can fail completely on vegetable oil — same drum size, very different product. Before recommending a model, we ask four questions about your liquid. These parameters determine fill mode, nozzle material, valve type and accuracy settings:
1. Viscosity (cP at fill temperature)
Products under 500 cP fill freely through a standard stainless nozzle at rated speed. Products at 500–5,000 cP need a wider-bore nozzle and reduced flow rate to prevent splashing. Above 5,000 cP — heavy gear oil, resin, honey at cold temperatures — we fit a jacketed heated nozzle or gear-pump assist. Send viscosity at your actual fill temperature, not room temperature. A product that is 80 cP at 60°C can be 1,400 cP at 20°C.
2. Foaming Tendency
Foam trips the level sensor before the drum is full and contaminates the weighing path. If your product foams when agitated — detergents, surfactants, some juice concentrates — specify bottom-fill mode. Bottom-fill on a drum filling machine eliminates the drop height that creates bubbles by filling from below the liquid surface. If you are unsure, send a 500 ml sample; we test foam characteristics in our lab before specifying fill mode.
3. Vapour Pressure / Volatility
Solvents, alcohols and aromatic chemicals concentrate vapours inside the drum during top-fill — a health risk and a product loss. Bottom-fill with a sealed nozzle and vapour return line keeps VOC levels within safe limits and recovers product. The vapour return connection on the YCS series connects directly to your facility’s extraction system with no additional equipment.
4. Container Size Range
The YCS30 handles 1–30 kg containers (cans, jerricans). The YCS300 handles up to 300 kg (standard 200L drums). If your operation fills more than one container size on the same line, specify the smallest and largest container. We configure the scale range and nozzle travel to cover both sizes without recalibration between runs. Most drum filling operations standardise on one model; only blending facilities filling 3+ container formats need a switchover configuration.
Technical Specifications
YCS30(H)-BU — Small Container Liquid Filling Scale
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Fill Range | 20–50 kg per fill cycle |
| Speed | Up to 100 containers/hr (60L containers) |
| Flow Rate | 10 m³/hr |
| Filling Nozzle | DN50, 316 stainless steel |
| Working Pressure | 0–0.6 MPa |
| Power Supply | 220V AC (-15% to +10%), 50Hz, max 500W |
| Product Profiles | Up to 10 stored recipes |
| Zero Tracking | Automatic after each fill cycle |
| Safety | Auto shutoff on connection loss; cascade fill control |
| Protection | IP54 |
YCS300(H)-BU — 200L Drum Liquid Filling Scale
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Fill Range | 50–300 kg per fill cycle |
| Speed | Up to 60 drums/hr (200L drums) |
| Flow Rate | 10 m³/hr |
| Filling Nozzle | DN50, 316 stainless steel |
| Working Pressure | 0–0.6 MPa |
| Power Supply | 220V AC (-15% to +10%), 50Hz, max 500W |
| Product Profiles | Up to 10 stored recipes |
| Zero Tracking | Automatic after each fill cycle |
| Safety | Auto shutoff on connection loss; no-missing-count protection |
| Protection | IP54 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the same machine fill both small cans and 200L drums?
Not on the same physical unit — the YCS30-BU is optimised for 10–60L containers and the YCS300-BU for 50–200L drums. The scale range and nozzle positioning are different. If you need to fill both sizes on a single line, two separate units in parallel is the standard configuration.
What liquids are NOT suitable for the YCS series?
The YCS series is not suitable for: cryogenic liquids (LN2, LOX), liquids above 120°C without the heated option, slurries with solid content above 5% by weight, and highly abrasive suspensions. For abrasive slurries, contact us for the specialised slurry filling configuration.
How is the nozzle cleaned between different products?
The DN50 nozzle disassembles with a quarter-turn for manual cleaning in under 2 minutes. For lines running frequent product changeovers, a CIP (clean-in-place) nozzle flush system is available as an option — compatible with water, solvent, or caustic flush circuits.
What accuracy class does the YCS series comply with?
The YCS series achieves ±0.1–0.2% of declared fill weight under stable conditions, consistent with OIML R117 liquid filling accuracy requirements. CE documentation covering the weighing accuracy is provided with each unit.
Can the fill weight data be exported to our ERP or MES system?
Yes. The standard unit includes an RS232 interface. RS485/Modbus RTU and Ethernet/Modbus TCP interfaces are available as options for direct integration with most ERP and MES platforms. Each fill cycle logs the tare weight, gross weight, net fill weight and timestamp.
Is ATEX certification available for filling flammable solvents?
ATEX Zone 1 and Zone 2 variants are available for filling flammable liquids with a flash point below 60°C. Specify the required zone classification, temperature class and gas group at enquiry stage. ATEX units carry a 15–20% price premium and 10–15 additional working days lead time.
View Full Product Specifications
Dimensional drawings, datasheet and detailed model documentation:
YCS30(H)-BU — Small Container → YCS300(H)-BU — 200L Drum →