What's your favorite big drain pan?

BGigHarbor · Oct 17, 2013

I was at an AZ yesterday and picked up another drain pan. Flo Tool. Way flimsy and the cap doesn't catch on the threads.

So I am looking for another drain pan (or two) at least 5 gallons and some way to pour. Any favorites?

I am considering a Lisle 4.75 gallon.

Gary Fowler · Oct 17, 2013

My brother in law gave me a plastic tub that he got with about 150# of molasses and mineral lick for his cows. It looks like it would hold 15-20 gallons. I plan to use that as a drain tub when I change the hydraulic fluid in my Kubota. A few years ago I bought something similar but a lot smaller at Lowes to plant some tomatoes in maybe 7 gallons size.

Egbert · Oct 17, 2013

TSC has quite an assortment of pails/buckets. I found one that holds 12 gallons for about $15. There is no 'pour" function but it would work great to drain the hydraulics without worrying about swapping containers. Getting the used fluid into something else would be a manual process.

grm61 · Oct 20, 2013

I did the hyd, on my DK45 a couple weeks ago (11gal) and was hard up for a pan big enough.
I took one of our old garbage cans (Rubermaid, 35 gal I think) cut about 2 thirds off of it with a razor knife, worked just fine for the hydro.

It has hand holds molded into the bottom of the can, when I picked it up of course it squished inward...it made it very nice to pour the oil out without the oil overflowing when it squished in, just make sure and leave it tall enough.

I did use a smaller pan for the finals.

I jacked the tractor up about four five inches to get the big pan underneath the transmission.

My other pan that I've had forever that I love is a stainless pan out of a butcher shop, rectangular shaped, holds close to 5 gallons.

bacrow · Nov 26, 2013

I used a plastic tub from Lowe's that is sold for concrete mixing. It has worked great for many things. The most recent was draining the trans/hyrdraulic fluid from my tractor. It has a large surface area to catch any stray drips, and it holds a lot of fluid. Unfortunately it is a two person job to pour the fluid into a transportable/recyclable container.

sixdogs · Nov 26, 2013

bacrow said:
I used a plastic tub from Lowe's that is sold for concrete mixing. It has worked great for many things. The most recent was draining the trans/hyrdraulic fluid from my tractor. It has a large surface area to catch any stray drips, and it holds a lot of fluid. Unfortunately it is a two person job to pour the fluid into a transportable/recyclable container.

I have three of these excellent pans and on big jobs often put the drain plug back in and put some in one or both of the other pans. That way I can handle it alone. Two people handling one pan does not work for me. I also have a dedicated anti freeze pan that I can rinse out before using in case the A/F has to go back in.

bacrow · Nov 26, 2013

sixdogs said:
I have three of these excellent pans and on big jobs often put the drain plug back in and put some in one or both of the other pans. That way I can handle it alone. Two people handling one pan does not work for me. I also have a dedicated anti freeze pan that I can rinse out before using in case the A/F has to go back in.

Do you have a photo or a brand?

George2615 · Nov 26, 2013

I don't have a favorite but I do have 2 Lisle drain pans I bought from Advanceautoparts. I think they hold about 4 1/2 gallon and have a pour spout. Once I use the drain pans I pour them into empty 5 gallon jugs with screw on caps I get from work to dispose of them easily. Eventually I want to get a waste oil furnace to heat my shop since I go through a lot of used oil each year.

sixdogs · Nov 26, 2013

bacrow said:
Do you have a photo or a brand?

Not sure I ever saw a name but maybe. There are two sizes of pans at Costco and I bought the big ones. if you need a brand name I'll go look. There are light, thinner ones and also heavier ones. I have the heavy.