Portable remote drum opening device

A system for opening drums that may contain hazardous materials without exposing an operator to contamination from materials in the drum or injury in the act of opening the drums, comprising in combination:

• a power driven opening mechanism,
• a framework for firmly attaching the opening mechanism in place on the drum in a position for opening the drum,
• a power line for carrying power to operate said mechanism from a remote location away from the drums whereby said operator is not exposed to contamination or injury,
• manually operable control means at said remote location, wherein said drum has a substantially cylindrical outer periphery with an upper end with a substantially flat surface surrounded by a rim and wherein said framework further comprises a bracket extending diametrically across the flat surface and terminating in clamping members extending downwardly to mate with the cylindrical drum outer periphery.