A drum transporter includes a main frame mounted on wheels with an outer mast assembly extending generally horizontally from the main frame. The outer mast assembly includes a pair of legs disposed at an angle of at least about 90 DEG with respect to each other so that the legs can straddle a pallet and dispose the main frame near a drum on the pallet. An upstanding post assembly extends upwardly from the main frame and includes a fixed guide post with an upper clamping mechanism for releasably engaging a chime of a drum. The upper clamping mechanism is mounted for vertical movement with respect to the fixed guide post. A stabilizing mechanism is also mounted for vertical movement with respect to the fixed guide post for contacting the drum at a location below and remote from the clamping mechanism. A lifting mechanism controls the vertical movement of the clamping mechanism and the stabilizing mechanism. The main frame is counter-balanced to minimize any tendency of the transporter to tip during the handling of a drum.
