The steel cage is the structural backbone of every composite IBC tote. It protects the HDPE bottle during handling and transport, enables safe stacking, and provides the rigid frame that forklifts and pallet jacks engage with. Over time, cages can sustain damage from impacts, corrosion, or heavy use — bent uprights, cracked welds, or crushed corners that compromise the container's structural integrity and stackability. Rather than scrapping an entire IBC because of a damaged cage, a replacement cage lets you restore full functionality at a fraction of the cost of a new container. Our replacement IBC cages are manufactured from galvanized steel tubing that is hot-dip coated for long-lasting corrosion resistance. The galvanized finish protects against rust even in wet, humid, or outdoor storage environments. Each cage features a welded tube-frame construction engineered to support the weight of a full IBC when stacked, with integrated fork pockets for 4-way forklift and pallet jack access. We carry cages compatible with all major composite IBC manufacturers including Schutz, Mauser, Greif, and others. Standard and heavy-duty configurations are available to match your specific application requirements. Whether you are a reconditioning facility looking for cage stock, a manufacturer replacing damaged cages on your own fleet, or a business that needs a few spare cages on hand for maintenance, we offer competitive pricing with bulk quantity discounts.
Specifications
Key Features
Common Applications
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which cage fits my IBC bottle?
Composite IBC cages are largely standardized around the 40" x 48" pallet footprint, but there are variations between manufacturers in frame geometry, bottle mounting points, and valve cutout positioning. The most reliable way to ensure compatibility is to match the cage brand to your bottle brand (e.g., a Schutz cage with a Schutz bottle). If cross-brand compatibility is needed, provide us with your bottle manufacturer, model number, and dimensions and we can recommend the best-fitting cage from our inventory.
Can I replace the cage on my IBC myself?
Yes. Replacing an IBC cage is a straightforward process that does not require specialized tools. The HDPE bottle is lifted out of the old cage (empty the container first), the old cage is removed from the pallet, the new cage is placed on the pallet, and the bottle is lowered back into the new cage. The bottle sits inside the cage by gravity and is held in place by the cage frame. The entire swap typically takes 10-15 minutes with two people and a forklift or hoist.
What is the difference between standard and heavy-duty cages?
Standard-duty cages use thinner-gauge steel tubing and are designed for general-purpose commercial use with typical liquid loads. Heavy-duty cages use thicker-gauge tubing and heavier welds for applications involving dense or heavy liquids, frequent transport over rough terrain, or environments where the cage is subjected to higher-than-normal impact and handling stress. Heavy-duty cages weigh slightly more and cost more, but provide greater durability and a longer service life in demanding conditions.
Are your replacement cages new or used?
We primarily sell used replacement cages that have been inspected, cleaned, and straightened. Each cage is checked for bent uprights, cracked welds, and excessive corrosion. Minor bends are straightened and any cage with structural compromise is rejected. We also carry new cages for customers who require them — contact us for availability and pricing on new-production cages.
How long does a galvanized steel IBC cage last?
A galvanized steel IBC cage can last 10-15 years or more with proper handling. The hot-dip galvanized coating provides excellent corrosion protection even in outdoor and high-humidity environments. The most common reasons for cage replacement are impact damage (forklift collisions, drops) rather than corrosion or wear. Keeping cages out of standing water, avoiding overloading during stacking, and handling them carefully with forklifts will maximize their useful lifespan.
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