Dollies come in all
shapes and sizes. There doesn’t seem to
be a “universal term” for the word dolly.
In fact, it’s difficult to determine where and when the word
originated. Often referred to as a hand
truck, cart, roller dolly, 4 wheel dollies, or simply “wheels”, most agree that
this is a very important piece of equipment.
If you use dollies in your operation, you can appreciate the “heavy
lifting” this work horse provides.
Application:
Whether used to transport food trays,
bakery trays,
attached lid
containers, large pallets, trash cans, or liquid containers, finding
the right dolly will give you great flexibility. Investing in this relatively inexpensive
piece of equipment typically pays for itself quickly; ROI is captured in a
short period of time.
Caster: One
of the most important things to consider is the type of caster. Determining which surfaces it will be used and the
weight capacity, will help decide the type of caster needed. Some examples of surfaces
to consider might be asphalt, cement, brick, uneven surfaces, carpet, grass and
wet and dry surfaces. Once the load capacity and surface is determined, you can
narrow down what type of caster (wheel) you need. There are various types of wheels such as
rubber, polyurethane, plastic and phenolic and there are advantages to each.
Finding
the right caster is very important, as it determines how easily and efficiently
your dolly will transport your goods.
The appropriate caster ensures a smooth ride, transporting items easily
and efficiently. Once you determine load
capacity and surface, your choices of casters will include a variety of wheel materials,
wheel sizes, and types of bearings.
Material: Dollies
can be produced from many different materials. Wood, plastic, steel, aluminum
and stainless steel (to name a few) are the most common. Based on the
environment, you will have several options to consider.
In
a dry environment, you might consider wood, plastic, or a steel dolly with a
powder coated finish. Steel is strong,
and with proper care, lasts a very long time.
In a wet environment, such as in food service, restaurants, and kitchens
- stainless steel or an aluminum dolly is the most appropriate choice. These materials do not rust when in contact
with moisture or water. In a food
environment, proper care includes thorough washing on a regular basis.
Design: Food environments require a hygienic
design. Using non-corrosive parts, toxic free materials and impervious surface
finishes will ensure your choice meets the requirements of your county health
departments. Operating a USDA facility,
there are additional guidelines to consider (such as food harborage). The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) requires that anything greater than 50 pounds use two or
more people to lift the load. Breaking
components down to 45 pounds or less to load onto a dolly, helps to keep your
employees safe when handling heavy loads.
Dollies
allow individuals to move extremely heavy items without the help of a crew. This
versatile piece of equipment can be adapted to meet your needs. Larger tasks can be handled by fewer people.
Workers can accomplish more and increase productivity without the necessity of
adding more employees.
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