When trying to determine which utility cart is best for your facility, there are a few simple to follow guidelines that can help make the decision easier. No matter what segment you happen to operate in, following these procedures can be a great service to you and your team. So what exactly are we referring to?
The three W’s! WHAT, WHERE, WHEN. Determining what each of these hold within your facility will lead you to the correct choice of a utility cart. But how difficult can it be?
Actually, it’s not that hard, but instead quite fun! Together, let’s walk through those three W’s as well as some additional tips for when it comes to selecting the perfect utility carts for you and your facility. At the end, we’ll give you a versatile tool to help you with your selection.
WHAT will you transport?
This is the most basic and most obvious question you’ll need to answer. What are you moving from point A to point B, and how much do those items weigh? The reality is this will impact your utility cart choice in two important ways. First, the more weight you’ll move the heavier duty a foodservice cart on wheels will need to be. Utility carts come in different levels of durability. Moving 500 pounds on a utility cart designed to transport 250 pounds can be a major safety hazard, and your utility cart will not last. Second, the shape of the items you’re planning to move will impact the shelving requirements on the foodservice cart on wheels.
Other critical measures to take during this step include determining the intended use of the utility cart, how rough the floor surfaces will be, and the number of hours utilized need to be taken into consideration in order to find the right Lakeside cart for the job. In other words, the best value utility carts will provide years of service, not just months.
WHERE will you transport it?
It’s no secret that casters will play a key role in a utility cart’s capabilities. We’ve dug into the basics of casters in a previous post, but as it stands in terms of a foodservice cart on wheels selection, the main question to ask is over what types of surfaces will my utility cart travel. If the answer is smooth inside surfaces, the caster requirements will be different than uneven pavers out on the pool deck.
Caster size and wheel material is often an overlooked aspect of a utility cart in regards to its durability. The most common size for casters is 5 inches, but it all depends on the size of the load being carried. For heavier loads, the larger the caster should be, and for lighter loads, the smaller the caster can be. Deciding on the correct wheel material is pivotal too, since each type has its own offering. You may want to choose rubber if you want floor protection and minimum vibration. Say if you are needing a wheel that is resistant to liquids/fluids, polyurethane may be a better choice. The choices at Lakeside are endless!
WHEN will the utility cart be used?
This is a question operators and facilities managers might not think about. The fact is when utility carts are designed and manufactured here at Lakeside, we create utility carts designed for varying levels of usage. Incurring the expense of a foodservice cart on wheels designed for use 20 hours per day isn’t cost-effective for an operation that only needs to use the utility cart during a single, eight-hour shift. Likewise, a utility cart designed for minimal usage won’t cut it for higher-demand operations. How long you plan to use the foodservice cart on wheels plays a big role.
At Lakeside, we have put our utility carts through vigorous testing to make sure they last for years to come. So how long can our Lakeside carts be used throughout the day? Check it out below!
Standard Duty (300 pound weight capacity):
No more than 3 hours per day.
Medium Duty (500 pound weight capacity):
No more than 4-9 hours per day.
Heavy Duty (700 pound weight capacity):
No more than 9-12 hours per day.
Tough Transport (1000 pound weight capacity):
No more than 10-18 hours per day.
Extreme Duty (1500 pound weight capacity):
No more than 24 hours per day.
Additional Elements for Consideration
A utility cart’s design will determine its level of durability over time. Being aware of a utility cart’s physical features can make or break a successful transport. You don’t want to make the mistake of accidently putting 1000 pounds worth of items onto a foodservice cart on wheels with a capacity of only 300 pounds simply because you were unaware of its capacity. Just imagine the costly consequences this could have on not only your team and merchandise, but on your clients as well. Here are a couple elements you should take into consideration when looking for your perfect Lakeside cart…
Gauge of the stainless steel
The thickness of stainless steel plays a major role in the strength of a utility cart. A key tip to remember when analyzing different types of stainless steel is that the lower the number is, the stronger the steel, and the higher the number, the less strong the steel will be. To sum it up, a utility cart on wheels constructed out of 14-gauge stainless steel is stronger than a utility cart that is made of 22-gauge stainless steel.
Frame Design
The frame design on a foodservice cart on wheels is integral to the utility cart’s overall structural support. Common variations of frame design include: Angle leg, tubular, “U” frame, and square tubular. Angle leg frames are usually equipped on standard and medium duty Lakeside carts that can carry 300 pounds and 500 pounds respectively. Whereas, a “U” frame or square tubular frame are more suited for hauling heavy loads that can reach up to an extreme 1500 pounds.
So which Lakeside cart is right for you?
Answering that question correctly includes cross-referencing the items above to hit an option that fits your best overall needs and challenges. Lakeside has a full range of utility carts, but the reality is most of those utility carts will either be too much or too little. To help you find the Lakeside cart that’s just right, we put together a comprehensive Lakeside cart selector that walks you through the WHAT’s, WHERE’s, and WHEN’s. It will assist in determining the correct utility cart in relation to your load capacity and daily use. Click the button below to use our new Lakeside cart selector or talk to a Lakeside cart expert today!