Low Profile Rolling Oil Drain Pan, 20 Gallon Manual Pump

Dropping the pan on a 4L60E, 68RFE, 10L80 or Allison is the messiest part of a transmission service, because the fluid comes off every edge of the pan at once instead of out of one drain hole. This 20 gallon low-profile drain rolls under a truck on ramps or a low lift, catches the whole drop plus the old filter, and empties itself into a waste drum with a hand-crank pump. It is built for shops and serious home mechanics who do enough fluid work to be tired of overflowing parts-store pans.

What this drain pan does in a transmission service

The welded carbon steel basin is wide enough to sit under an entire transmission pan, so fluid running off the gasket flange on all four sides lands in it. A mesh screen over the pickup keeps clutch material, the old filter and magnet sludge out of the pump. When the job is done, you crank the manual pump and it pushes the used fluid out through a 7.2 ft (2.2 m) hose, long enough to reach the bung of a 55 gallon drum. There is no cord or electric motor, which is useful on a service truck, in a driveway, or in a bay where the outlet is on the other wall. The pump is steady rather than fast, so allow a few minutes to move a full load.

Why 20 gallons

• A fluid change is bigger than it looks. GM lists the fluid change capacity of a 10L80 at 8.1 quarts and a 10L1000 heavy-duty 10-speed at 14.4 quarts, and that fluid has to go somewhere.
• You can do several services before emptying it, which matters on fleet days or when a unit needs more than one drain-and-fill.
• The same basin catches engine oil, gear oil and coolant changes, so one drain covers the whole service bay.

How to confirm it fits your setup

Measure the clearance under the vehicles you work on. The unit is 49.21 x 23.62 x 25.98 in overall, and its low basin is meant to slide under vehicles on ramps or a low-rise lift. Then check how much fluid your transmission sheds: our 4L60E fluid type and capacity and 68RFE fluid type and capacity guides list what to expect from a pan drop on two of the most common trucks. If you are deciding between a pan drop and a machine exchange, read flush vs drain and fill first.

Fitment and specifications

This is a universal shop tool (model FF-931-S-T, 20 gallon), so there is no vehicle fitment to match. It rolls on two 3 in swivel casters with brakes and two 4 in fixed wheels, with a folding T-handle for steering. Empty weight is 36.6 lbs. Keep in mind that ATF weighs roughly 7 lb per gallon, so a full basin is well over 140 lbs of fluid; lock the caster brakes before pumping and roll it slowly. It ships knocked down, and the wheels, handle, pump and hoses bolt on. If you need something smaller for car work, see the 9 gallon rolling drain caddy, and find more service equipment in our tools category.

Using it on a pan drop

• Loosen the pan bolts on one side first and let the pan tilt so most of the fluid drains from one corner, then remove the rest of the bolts with the basin centered underneath.
• Drop the old filter straight into the basin; the screen keeps it out of the pump.
• Inspect what you caught before you pump it out. Clutch material, metal on the magnet and burnt smell tell you more than the fluid color does, as covered in how to do a transmission drain and fill.
• Fitting a 4L60E drain plug pan makes the next service a cleaner, single-point drain.
• Pump used fluid into a sealed, leak-proof container and take it to a used oil collection site; auto repair shops and municipal programs commonly accept it.

Will it fit under a truck on ramps?

It is a low-profile design meant to roll under vehicles on ramps or a low-rise lift. Overall dimensions are 49.21 x 23.62 x 25.98 in, so measure your clearance before ordering.

Does the pump need electricity?

No. It is a manual hand-crank pump that pushes the used fluid out through a 7.2 ft hose into a drum or waste tank, so it works anywhere.

Can I drop the transmission filter into it?

Yes. The open basin takes the old filter, and the mesh screen over the pickup keeps the filter and debris out of the pump.

How heavy is it when full?

The empty unit weighs 36.6 lbs. ATF weighs about 7 lb per gallon, so a full 20 gallon load adds well over 140 lbs. Set the caster brakes before pumping and move it slowly.

Does it come assembled?

It ships knocked down. The wheels, handle, pump and hoses bolt on during assembly.

• How to Do a Transmission Drain and Fill
• Transmission Flush vs Drain and Fill
• 4L60E Fluid Type and Capacity
• 68RFE Fluid Type and Capacity