A transfer cart is a battery-powered vehicle that moves heavy loads at floor level within a facility or between facilities. The first value people check in catalogs is load capacity; yet on site, the problems usually come not from capacity but from dimensions, floor and route. The six headings below walk through the information you should have at hand before requesting a quote.
1. Heaviest load and centre of gravity
Capacity is set by the heaviest load, not the average one. With loads such as dies, coils or transformers, the weight often does not sit in the middle of the deck; the height of the centre of gravity and its offset from the axis directly affect the load per wheel and the stability of the vehicle.
- Note the tonnage of the heaviest load and, if any, the weight of the handling fixture separately.
- If the centre of gravity is offset from the load axis, state the offset in millimetres.
- If a heavier product is coming in the future, tell us today; the vehicle is selected accordingly.
2. Load dimensions and deck size
The deck is sized to the length and width of the load. If the load overhangs the deck noticeably, turns and narrow aisles become a problem; if the deck is larger than needed, the vehicle wastes manoeuvring space. Along with the length, width and height of the load, you should also state the maximum vehicle length and width allowed in the facility.
3. Platform height
Platform height determines how the load is taken onto the vehicle and whether it lines up with existing lines, stands or presses. Low-platform series are suited to driving under a stand and lifting the load; high-platform heavy-duty series can carry larger wheels and higher wheel loads.
| Series | Capacity range | Platform height | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Series | 20 – 500 t | 450 – 770 mm | Heavy-duty modular transport, frame lifting |
| B Series | 20 – 520 t | 320 – 420 mm | Lines that need a low height |
For all series and model values, see the transfer cart selection table.
4. Floor and gradient
The wheel load of the vehicle is transferred to the floor. Concrete, epoxy, steel plate and asphalt floors have different load-bearing capacities; if the floor is insufficient, the vehicle cannot be used even if it was chosen correctly. The steepest gradient on the route, thresholds, expansion joints and ramp transitions also determine the traction power and wheel type.
Indoors or outdoors?
A vehicle working on a flat, clean floor indoors is not the same as one working outdoors between facilities. For outdoor use, the protection class, ambient temperature and uneven ground are assessed separately.
5. Route: trackless or rail-guided?
Trackless (free-roaming) carts give you the freedom to change the route; with travel modes such as straight, crab and on-the-spot turning they manoeuvre in tight spaces. Rail-guided carts are a simple and durable solution for repetitive, very heavy transport that always shuttles along the same line.
- The narrowest point of the aisle and the clear width and height of the doors
- Total route length and number of trips per day
- Turning points and the expected stopping accuracy
6. Loading method and operating pattern
Will the load be placed on the vehicle by crane, will the vehicle drive under a stand and lift the load itself, or will two vehicles work in sync (tandem)? The loading method determines both the platform type and the lifting stroke. The number of trips per day and the shift pattern shape the battery capacity and charging solution.
Capacity alone does not select a model. A quote given before the load dimensions, floor and route are clear will have to be revised on site.
Short checklist before requesting a quote
- Heaviest load (t) and centre of gravity
- Load length, width and height
- Required platform height and permitted vehicle dimensions
- Floor type, steepest gradient and any thresholds
- Route type, narrowest aisle and door dimensions
- Loading method, trips per day and shift pattern
It is fine if you do not have all of this information: the budget quote form takes your request with basic information only; our team sends the price and we complete the rest together during the site survey.