Our Blogs Types of Warehouse Carts and Trolleys: Choosing the Right Fit for Your Needs

Date Posted:21 November 2024

By carefully considering the type of materials you handle and the environment you work in, you can choose the right trolley or cart that improves safety, efficiency, and overall workflow in your warehouse.

In any warehouse, material handling efficiency is key to maximising productivity and safety. One of the most effective ways to improve workflow is by choosing the right type of cart or trolley for your operations. With so many options available, it’s crucial to understand the different types of warehouse trolleys and carts and how they can best serve your business needs.

1. Flatbed Trolleys

Best For: Bulk and heavy loads
Features: Flatbed trolleys are designed for carrying large or heavy items across the warehouse. The flat surface provides ample space for various types of cargo, making them versatile for industries handling bulky equipment or large boxes. These trolleys often feature sturdy wheels to support heavy-duty operations, and some models come with side railings to prevent items from falling off.
Advantages:

High load capacity
Versatile for large or irregularly shaped goods
Easy to manoeuvre

Considerations: Flatbed trolleys are not ideal for small or delicate items as they lack compartments or dividers.

2. Platform Trolleys

Best For: General warehouse tasks
Features: Platform trolleys offer a large surface area to accommodate multiple items. They usually come with a handle for easy pushing or pulling and can handle loads up to several hundred kilograms, depending on the model. These trolleys are perfect for general warehouse use, moving medium to large loads from one point to another.
Advantages:

Large capacity for transporting goods
Durable construction
Available in different sizes to fit various applications

Considerations: Like flatbed trolleys, they may not be suitable for smaller or fragile items without extra safety measures.

3. Order Picking Trolleys

Best For: Streamlining order fulfilment
Features: These trolleys are designed for efficient order picking in warehouses. Typically, they come with multiple shelves or compartments to allow workers to organise and pick orders quickly. Some models are equipped with special attachments like step ladders or bins to facilitate order collection.
Advantages:

Great for improving picking accuracy
Helps workers organise and fulfil multiple orders at once
Can include special features like folding steps

Considerations: These trolleys are generally not built for transporting heavy loads.

4. Cage Trolleys

Best For: Securing items during transport
Features: Cage trolleys have metal sides to enclose the load, ensuring that items do not fall off or get lost during transit. They are ideal for moving goods that need extra security or protection. Some cage trolleys have lockable doors, making them suitable for transporting valuable or sensitive materials.

Advantages:

Enhanced security during transport
Protects fragile or loose items
Sturdy construction for heavy-duty use

Considerations: The cage design limits the size of the items you can transport, and access to the contents might be less convenient compared to open trolleys.

5. Folding Trolleys

Best For: Portability and space-saving
Features: Folding trolleys can be collapsed when not in use, making them easy to store in tight spaces. These trolleys are typically lightweight and ideal for tasks where mobility and storage are key concerns. They can handle light to moderate loads and are often used for tasks that require flexibility and quick deployment.

Advantages:

Space-saving design
Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
Great for on-the-go tasks

Considerations: They are not as durable as heavy-duty trolleys and may not be suitable for transporting heavy or bulky loads.

6. Shelf Trolleys

Best For: Organised transport of smaller items
Features: Shelf trolleys are equipped with multiple tiers of shelves, allowing for the organised transportation of smaller items. These are perfect for environments where there are numerous small or delicate items to move, such as in retail warehouses or manufacturing facilities that handle smaller parts.

Advantages:

Multi-tier design for efficient organisation
Ideal for small, lightweight items
Easily customisable for different uses

Considerations: Shelf trolleys may not be able to handle very heavy loads due to the smaller dimensions of the shelves.

7. Drum Trolleys

Best For: Moving cylindrical objects like barrels or drums
Features: Drum trolleys are specially designed for safely transporting large cylindrical containers, such as drums of chemicals or liquids. They come with sturdy frames and specialised grips to hold the drum securely during movement. Some drum trolleys even feature tipping mechanisms for easy pouring or unloading.

Advantages:

Tailored design for drum transportation
Prevents accidents related to moving heavy barrels
Often equipped with locking mechanisms for added safety

Considerations: These trolleys are highly specialised and are not suitable for general warehouse use.

8. Pallet Jacks

Best For: Moving palletised loads
Features: Pallet jacks (or pallet trucks) are indispensable in warehouses that frequently handle pallets. They come with two prongs that slide under the pallet, allowing the operator to lift and move it easily. Both manual and electric pallet jacks are available, making them ideal for various load sizes and operational needs.
Advantages:

Efficient for moving palletised loads
Easy to operate
Electric models reduce manual labour

Considerations: Pallet jacks are designed specifically for pallets, so they’re less useful for handling non-palletised goods.

9. Utility Carts

Best For: Versatile, light-to-medium transport tasks
Features: Utility carts are highly versatile and can be used for various light-to-medium tasks around the warehouse. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials (such as plastic or metal), and are often used for moving tools, equipment, or smaller boxes.
Advantages:
•   Highly versatile and easy to use
•   Available in a range of configurations
•   Affordable and lightweight

Considerations: They are not designed for heavy loads and may not be durable enough for more intensive applications.

Selecting the right warehouse cart or trolley depends on your specific operational needs. For heavy loads, flatbed and platform trolleys are excellent choices. If you need to improve your order fulfilment process, order picking trolleys will boost efficiency. For specialised tasks like moving drums, you’ll need a drum trolley. When space is tight, folding trolleys are convenient for easy storage. And for general light-to-medium transport, utility carts offer versatility and ease of use.