Best Steel Platform Trolleys for Industrial Use

Characterised by the base platform that supports goods in transit, platform trolleys are manoeuvred on castors and wheels and are manually pushed or pulled by the handle. They can come with sides or crates to store items to help keep them secure.

Steel platform trolleys are ideal for a broad range of industrial applications, renowned for their strength and versatility. They’re designed to safely and efficiently transport heavy and bulky items and are used widely across warehouses, factories and various retail environments. 

In this blog, we’ll explore how to find the best steel platform trolley for your industrial application, and key considerations before making a purchase.

Why opt for stainless steel industrial platform trolleys?

A platform trolley in stainless steel brings many benefits in comparison to other popular materials, particularly for industrial uses. 

Stainless steel is strong, durable and hard-wearing, making it perfect for heavy-duty applications. It withstands daily use in busy warehouse and factory environments and maintains its form and appearance. With natural anti-corrosion and antimicrobial properties to boot, maintenance for a steel warehouse trolley is minimal.

Buyers guide: How to choose the right industrial platform trolley

There are several important considerations to note when shopping for the right stainless steel platform trolley for your needs. 

Load capacity ranges

Firstly, you need to make sure your warehouse transport trolley is capable of holding the weight of the items you’ll be transporting. 

At Bluetrolley.com, we stock a range of different sizes and weight bearing capacities, from a stainless steel utility trolley, perfect for transporting small tools and office supplies, to a heavy duty stainless steel trolley that can hold up to 1000kg.

To calculate the Safe Working Load (SWL) or Working Load Limit (WLL), add the maximum weight you need to carry at any one time on your trolley to the weight of the trolley itself. You’ll then have the required load capacity to start narrowing down your options.

Wheel and caster technology

You need to be able to easily push or pull your material handling trolley and manoeuvre it through narrow spaces and around tight corners in busy workplaces. The wheels and castors you choose can have a significant bearing on suitability for your application and  ease of movement. Consider: 

• Wheel material - If you’re transporting fragile items, or your trolley will be used on a rough or uneven surface, a shock-absorbing material like rubber or polyurethane will be the best choice, while a cast iron wheel might be better for a heavy duty industrial environment. 
• Wheel size - Typically, bigger is better. Larger wheels usually enhance safety and performance, particularly on uneven surfaces.
• Load capacity - Once you’ve calculated your trolley SWL or WLL, you’ll be able to calculate the necessary load capacity for each wheel. For four-wheel trolley designs, we typically divide the SWL or WLL by three to allow for uneven weight distribution. On our site, you can filter down our wheels and castors by material and load capacity so you can easily find what you’re looking for. 

Need help navigating wheel and castor technologies? In this blog, we go into more detail, exploring different materials, fixed vs swivel castors, and fixtures and brakes.

Customisation options

At Bluetrolley.com, we stock a diverse range of materials handling equipment, whether you’re looking for a steel flatbed trolley, an industrial cart with wheels or a foldable platform trolley.  We stock a range of standard sizes and types, so you can quickly find and order the product you need. 

If you can’t find what you’re looking for on our site, whether you need different sizings or want specific customisations, we can help. With our bespoke service, we can work alongside you to design a solution that perfectly matches your needs. We’ll even develop a prototype for you to try out in your workplace before we manufacture the final product. Learn more about our bespoke service here.

Maintenance and care 

The benefit of a stainless steel commercial platform cart is that it doesn’t require a lot of care or maintenance. Steel trolleys will retain their shape and form with heavy use over time, particularly if you’re taking care not to exceed load capacities. 

Simply use a soft cloth and a mild detergent to clean your trolley. You should also periodically check that all fixtures and fastenings are secure, and that castors are correctly aligned, to ensure continued performance and safety.

Find your industrial steel platform trolley today

At Bluetrolley.com, we proudly design and manufacture all our materials handling equipment here in the UK so we’re able to guarantee top quality, durability and fast lead times. 

Shop our range of industrial trucks and trolleys here, or if you need advice or guidance to select the right solution for your specific application, get in touch with our expert team - we’re always happy to help.