Platform trolleys are a very popular type of material-handling equipment. They are easy to use, considerably light, and cheap. However, to use one as intended and ensure safe operations, it’s best to first learn a little about it.
So, today we bring you a beginner's guide to handling platform trolleys safely.
What is a Material Handling Trolley?
Products and consumables are essential aspects of modern economics and society. But where do we get these products from? Well, the manufacturer makes the products using raw materials and the stores sell them to us consumers. However, there is one middleman, before sales, the products are stored in warehouses. In all these environments there is one thing in common, the movement of items & products from one place to another. To facilitate the movement of large/heavy items we require the use of material handling trolley.
One such tool is the Platform Trolley; these neat little buggers are capable of carrying quite a lot of loads. It features a very simplistic design, a large-sturdy platform, supported by wheels with handles. These trolleys are used to carry large loads from one place to another with ease. Now, before you go on and start lugging the loads on the trolley, let’s talk about some safety tips you need to keep in mind while using a material-handling platform trolley.
Tips for Handling a Platform Trolley Safely
Most industrial equipment is designed to provide maximum safety and functionality. Still, taking precautions is always a better part of the course. So, below are some common & easy to follow tips to ensure the safety of the handler, equipment, and material.
(A). What you wear matters, always choose loose-fitting clothes, as they provide a soft barrier between your skin and any outside danger. Also, choose clothes made from comfortable materials, being irritated or distracted because of uncomfortable clothes is the last thing you need while carrying a couple of hundred kilos of materials.
(B). Always check the load capacity of the trolley before putting on the materials. Also, if you can make multiple rounds, then opt to create multiple light loads than one heavy load.
(C). Be careful of the inclination of the surface, not all facilities are equipped with easily accessible elevators, and you most probably will have to use slopes to travel between floors. However, one major issue that trolleys face on slopes is tipping off. Trolleys with unevenly distributed loads or overloaded trolleys are especially susceptible to tip-offs. Follow proper guidelines and ensure the proper distribution of load.
(D). When you load 300 kg on a trolley, you might just think about using your entire strength to push on it. However, keep in mind that the rule of thumb is that the force you need to apply on a trolley is about 3% of the total weight (Trolley + Load). So, be a bit careful when you first attempt to move the trolley. Nobody wants to run after a moving trolley with 300 kg on it, and certainly, nobody wants to get in its path.
(E). Surfaces are a major factor that can contribute to the functionality of a trolley, a minor change in the harness or texture of the surface can have a disproportionate effect on the force needed to move the trolley. For example, moving the trolley on a smooth concrete or stone surface is very easy. On the other hand, attempting to do the same on an uneven sand surface, and will hate your life. One way to avoid this issue is to put on the correct type of wheel on the trolley before you use it.
(F). While loading the platform trolley, keep in mind to arrange the material properly to ensure balanced weight distributions. If you’re manually loading the material, then keep in mind to not handle heavy weights alone. In short, the rule of thumb is, for anything over 25 kg, ask for assistance from another worker. Do not be a hero, it’s not worth a pulled back or a spinal injury.
(G). Keep the same weight limit value for assistance in mind while unloading a trolley, if it’s too heavy, go ask for help. While unloading, pick up the load, carefully bring it down till you are a couple of inches from the ground, then put it to rest gently. Keep this in mind, as it can prevent you from accidentally crushing your fingers against the floor.
Benefits of Using a Platform Trolley for Material Handling
There are certain benefits of using platform trolleys for material handling over other methods, like-
Technologically Simple
Yes, advancement in technology is a good thing, but why try to fix what isn’t broken? Platform trolleys are made from easily constructed parts and are simple to assemble. This greatly reduces the risk of failure for any components and the need for spare parts. In addition, a simple design also ensures that they are cheaper to produce and more affordable.
Functionally Efficient
Material handling trolleys allow workers to safely transport huge loads (that would be impossible for an individual to carry alone) across facilities easily. This reduces the fatigue on the workers and also makes load carrying process more efficient, as you can now transport 10 – 20 times more load in the same period.
Worker Safety
One of the biggest issues that load carriers used to face is back problems or injuries due to mishandling of loads. By employing a platform trolley, we can eliminate these problems and provide workers with a safer work environment.
Good Quality Grips
Platform trolleys have sturdy grips made of quality material wrapped on the handles. This is to make sure that the load is secure & the trolley doesn't
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a platform trolley used for?
Ans - The function of a platform trolley is to transport heavy loads across a facility safely.
Q2. What are the different types of tyre trolleys?
Ans - As we discussed above, you can equip your trolley with different types of wheels, all suitable for different surfaces. There is a whole selection of trolley tires available in the market, made out of different materials, namely-
(A). Forged Steel
(B). V-Groove Forged Steel
(C). V-Groove Iron
(D). V-Groove Polyurethane
(E). Cast Iron
(F). High-Temperature Phenolic
(G). High-Temperature Nylon
(H). Polyolefin
(I). Hard Rubber
(J). Soft Rubber
(K). Rubber on Aluminium
(L). Rubber on Cast Iron
(M). Thermoplastic Rubber
(N). Pneumatics
Q3. What is the price of foldable platform trolley?
Ans - There is no fixed price for a foldable trolley, the price depends on factors like size, brand, and weight capacity. However, on average, a good quality foldable platform trolley with a decent weight loading capacity can range anywhere from ₹5,500 to ₹15,000.
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