A transfer cart is widely used in factory floors and warehouses to move heavy loads from one place to another. There are different kinds of transfer carts based on their load carrying capacity, source of power, price, brand name, type of wheels, types of surfaces where it can travel, level of automation and various other such parameters.
There are several advantages of using a transfer cart. Smaller loads are typically moved by manual carts but when it comes to moving huge loads through passages that are restrictive, there is no better option than an automated or a semi-automated transfer cart. The electric material handling carts are the best choice for moving extremely heavy loads as these are compact in design and are great for areas that have a limited floor area.
Since these are available in a wide range of carrying capacity and at various price points, here are the things you need to keep in mind when buying a transfer cart:
Type of Transfer Cart
As discussed in the opening paragraphs, there are different types of carts based on load carrying capacity. Some of these are designed to be towed behind lift trucks to be moved on smooth or semi-smooth floors. If the carts are to be used on a rail, these can be pulled with the help of winches.
There are also carts that are mounted on a steel rail and can move along only a fixed path. These type of on rail transfer carts can be powered by batteries or AC power. These have an extremely high load carrying capacity.
There are also fully automated battery-powered carts that are designed to move from one place to another completely autonomously. A big advantage of these type of carts is that these can be used in a fully autonomous system where loads need to be moved from one place to another without any manual intervention and without any risk of injuries.
As far as choosing a particular type for your particular needs is concerned, it will depend on the load carrying capacity needed for your application along with the budget you have and how a particular model fits into your existing system.
Type of Surface for Movement
Not all the transfer carts are designed to be moved on all kinds of surfaces. Some transfer carts have flanged wheels which means they can only travel on rail. On the other hand, there are also trackless transfer carts that are designed to move on semi-smooth surfaces.
Source of Power
There are AC powered carts as well as DC powered carts. The DC powered carts are powered by on board batteries. On the other hand, AC power carts are used in places where carts need to travel along a fixed path.
Manufacturer’s Reputation
Like all kinds of machinery, the reputation of a manufacturer is extremely important when buying a transfer cart. Regardless of the specification mentioned on the manufacturer’s website, the quality of components used for making the cart can be determined from the reputation enjoyed by the company in the industry.
If they have good customer reviews and a good reputation among buyers, it is likely that you won’t have any trouble with their products.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are many different types of carts available in the market for purchase. Buying one without doing proper research may turn out to be an expensive mistake. You should carefully consider the type of cart that is perfect for your needs, reputation of the transfer cart manufacturer, source of power, application and price to make the right choice.