How a caged tote is built
The bottle is rotationally molded polyethylene that holds the liquid. The cage is a grid of galvanized steel tubes welded at the crossings, which carries the stacking load and protects the bottle from forklift tines. The base is steel, plastic or wood and gives the tote its 48 by 40 inch pallet footprint. A bottom valve, usually a 2-inch butterfly valve, drains it, and a top lid fills it.
The standard design code is 31HA1: a composite IBC with a plastic inner receptacle and a steel outer packaging, for liquids. Its plate carries the month and year of manufacture, stacking load and, for reuse, the latest test and inspection.
| Measure | 275 gallon | 330 gallon |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 48 x 40 in | 48 x 40 in |
| Height | 46 in | 53 in |
| Empty weight | About 135 lb | Check the plate |
| Capacity | About 1,040 L | About 1,250 L |
The grades it comes in
A caged tote can be new, rebottled, reconditioned, rinsed, used as-is or sold damaged for parts or recycling. The cage is the constant. When the bottle fails, a straight cage is still worth a new one, which is how rebottling works.
Jobs a caged tote suits
Chemical and beverage blending in Corona and Chino. Irrigation and spray water for Riverside nurseries and Temecula vineyards. Wash water for date packing in the Coachella Valley. Storage and shipping of non-flammable liquids anywhere a forklift runs. For Class I flammable liquids, use a metal tote, not a caged plastic one.
Why the caged tote is the common one
A caged tote pairs a cheap, replaceable bottle with a strong, reusable frame. When the bottle wears out, the cage stays. That is the whole economy of the thing: the steel outlives several plastic bottles, and each rebottling extends the life of the rest.
When you inspect one, look at the cage first. A straight cage with good welds is worth saving even if the bottle is stained.
Questions people ask
What does the cage actually do?
It carries the stacking load and protects the bottle from impact. A bent or cracked cage ends reuse until it is repaired or replaced. See the cage page.
Are caged totes only for liquids?
They are designed for liquids. Some buyers use them for dry goods; the bottle should be clean and dry.
Sources. Last reviewed 2026-11-11.