Shelved utility carts are a popular material handling solution. You can find them in factories, warehouses, retail stores, schools, hospitals, mechanic shops and other businesses.
As their name suggests, shelved utility carts are wheeled platforms with one or more shelves. Rather than carrying materials or objects by hand, you can place them on a shelved utility cart. If you’re still on the fence about using a shelved utility cart, here are six big benefits they offer.
#1) High Load Capacity
Don’t let their simple design trick you into thinking shelved utility carts can only be used with lightweight materials and objects. They are built to handle heavy loads. Some shelved utility carts have a load capacity of 2,000 pounds, whereas others have a load capacity of 3,600 pounds.
#2) Utilizes Vertical Storage Space
Shelved utility carts allow you to take advantage of vertical space for storage. Floor space is a valuable commodity for businesses. Rather than allowing it to become cluttered, you can store materials and objects on shelved utility carts. The raised shelves offer the perfect platforms for vertical storage space.
#3) Easy to Move
Even when loaded, shelved utility carts are easy to move. They typically feature four high-quality casters on the bottom. These casters allow shelved utility carts to roll smoothly when pushed or pulled. Some shelved utility carts even feature swivel casters. Swivel casters offer an unparalleled level of maneuverability thanks to their 360-degree rotation.
#4) Lower Risk of Bodily Injury
Using shelved utility carts may lower the risk of bodily injury. Manual lifting is responsible for thousands of workplace injuries each year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 30% of all nonfatal workplace injuries are attributed to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as muscle strains from lifting. With shelved utility carts, you can move materials and objects by rolling them rather than lifting and carrying them.
#5) Improved Productivity
Shelved utility carts can even boost worker productivity. Moving materials and objects by hand isn’t just laborious; it’s time-consuming. Shelved utility carts allow for faster and more efficient transportation. Workers can stack materials and objects on the shelves, followed by rolling the cart. The end result is improved worker productivity.
#6) Available in Different Styles
You can find shelved utility carts in different styles. The number of shelves a cart has, for instance, may vary. Some shelved utility carts have two shelves — the bottom shelf and a higher shelf. Others, though, have three or even four shelves. The size of these shelves may also vary. Smaller carts have 36-inch-long shelves, whereas larger carts have 60-inch-long shelves.