Anyone have a 13/14.5 gallon drum for a fermentation vessel?

[kharper6]

http://www.curtec.com/en/products/drums/wide-neck-drums/detail/wide-neck-drum-55-litres

I bought one of these a long time ago to ferment in. I haven't used it yet, but I'm worried about putting ten gallons of liquid in it because of the handle integrity.

Does anyone have a drum like this? I know a lot of people bought them from homebrewfinds a while back when they were dirt cheap.

 

[dmaxweb]

http://www.curtec.com/en/products/drums/wide-neck-drums/detail/wide-neck-drum-55-litres

I bought one of these a long time ago to ferment in. I haven't used it yet, but I'm worried about putting ten gallons of liquid in it because of the handle integrity.

Does anyone have a drum like this? I know a lot of people bought them from homebrewfinds a while back when they were dirt cheap.

I have 5 of the 14.5 gal Curtec drums. I use 2 for fermenting 10 gal batches and the others for grain storage. They are super for both uses!

I've never tried to pick up a full one. With the lid on to provide rigidity, the handles would probably hold, but I don't want to risk losing 100 lbs of beer.

I've been using them for several years and would like to replace the lid gaskets but I don't know what the material is. It's tan in color and appears to be some sort of soft sponge rubber. Anybody else have these and know where I can pick up the (rubber?) cord to make the gaskets?
Thanks