Revolutionising Material Handling: How Flatbed Trolleys Are Transforming Industrial Workspaces

No one can deny the high demand and necessity of industrial material handling, particularly in warehouses and other physical storage facilities. When you’re navigating greater and larger areas, sometimes manual labour just won’t cut it. To make matters more efficient and cost-effective, you need a reliable tool that will help you transport goods quickly from one place to another.

Fortunately, modern storage and material handling solutions have come a long way from their traditional predecessors. Nowadays, you can find anything from pallet racks for heavier goods to more sophisticated flatbed trolleys that can transform your industrial workspace. The latter in particular can be an invaluable asset for any business, offering a range of advantages that you can’t find elsewhere.

What Types of Flatbed Trolleys Are There?

When you decide to use durable and practical flatbed trolleys for material handling, you’ll find that there is a wide range of models available. Some have greater capacity for heavier goods, while others can be configured to suit your particular needs. Here are some of the options you have:

Standard 

The most common option out there is the standard flatbed trolley. It consists of a single platform, usually made of a hard-wearing material such as steel or plastic. The platform is fitted with two casters at the bottom to aid manoeuvrability and can be fitted with additional accessories such as shelves or drawers for extra storage. Despite its simple design and minimalist features, the standard variety is incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide range of tasks across different industries.

Folding

As the name suggests, folding flatbed carts offer the convenience of being easily folded and stowed away when not in use. This makes them great for businesses with limited space, as they can be stored easily and quickly. Their innovative and highly functional design allows them to be quickly deployed and folded away for storage in no time. They’re particularly suitable for businesses that are a bit short on space and need to store their material handling solution away in a more compact manner.

Twin-Handle 

The twin-handle variety is a great alternative for businesses that require greater capacity for manual material handling. It comes with two handles on either side of the trolley, allowing operators to transport heavier goods with greater ease and control. This variant also offers increased stability, which is great for businesses that need to navigate multi-level platforms or uneven surfaces.

Multi-Level Platform

Speaking of handling more than one level, multi-level platform trolleys are the go-to solution for businesses that need to transport a higher volume of goods. They come with two or more platforms, each fitted with casters to facilitate manoeuvrability. This makes them suitable for industries that need to access multiple levels while transporting goods within the same area, which can include the hospitality, retail, and healthcare sectors.

What Are the Benefits of Using Flatbed Trolleys?

It’s easy to see why flatbed trolleys have become a popular choice for industrial material handling solutions. Thanks to their innovative design, you can take advantage of numerous benefits that you won’t find with other models.

Increased Efficiency in Material Handling

When you have a dedicated tool at your disposal to transport goods, you can drastically reduce the time taken for material handling. This means that workers can move from point A to point B with greater ease and less manual effort. In large businesses such as warehouses, this kind of efficiency is invaluable and can help save time and money in the long run.

Reduced Risk of Manual Handling Injuries

When manual labour is required in order to transport goods, there’s always a risk of injuries and other health complications. With these carts, however, workers can avoid the strain associated with manual handling since they don’t have to lift or carry goods. This offers greater safety and security for your staff members while maintaining the same level of productivity.

Versatility in Transporting Different Types of Goods

Thanks to their adjustable nature and clever design, these tools bring great versatility to the table. You can easily fit a wide range of goods on them, regardless of size, shape, or weight. As such, they’re suitable for businesses that require transporting different types of products in one go, such as supermarkets or department stores. When there’s a greater need for manual handling in such industries, flatbed carts are the go-to solution.

Easy to Manoeuvre and Operate

Flatbed trolleys don’t require a lot of effort or technical knowledge to operate. Thanks to their caster wheels, they can be manoeuvred with ease and allow operators to navigate areas quickly and safely. This inherently provides greater control during the material handling process and reduces the likelihood of items being damaged or lost.

Low Maintenance Requirements

Last but not least, these tools are quite low maintenance, as they do not require frequent servicing or repair. All you need to do is inspect for wear and tear every once in a while, as well as ensure that the casters are properly lubricated to keep them in peak condition. Plus, cleaning them is relatively simple, as they can be quickly wiped down with a damp cloth.