How to select a Picking trolley

Order picking trolleys can be integrated into any warehouse and used as a faster method of picking, storing or transporting inventory. They are also an excellent way to use unused space and facilitate picking in tight spaces such as aisles.

The factors to evaluate when selecting a picking trolley include assessing the characteristics of your inventory (types of boxes, size, weight, etc.) and order picking processes. Analysis of these factors will help you determine which type of truck will be best for your application.

What items are you storing, what is their weight, shape and size?

It is very important that the picking trolleys in your warehouse can properly accommodate and transport your products. Most picking trolleys have a capacity of between 300 kg and 1,600 kg and, depending on the number of shelves, have an average clearance of between 250 and 400 mm. It is important to have this in mind when looking for a picking trolley if your products are heavier and/or larger.
If you need trolleys to transport several SKUs at once, consider those with several levels of shelves. These are often used in retail and food and beverage operations. This will add more storage density per cart and provide quicker product accessibility.

How do you want to store and pick these items? How do you need to access to your warehouse? Do you have a high or low product flow?

In addition to having the capacity to transport your items, the trolleys must also provide correctly accessibility for your application. This is an important element to consider because it can speed up the rate at which things are shipped.

Open frame picking trucks allow access to products from all four sides. This option provides the best accessibility to product and can benefit operations with high product flow. Two-sided carts allow access from both long sides of the cart. Three-sided trolleys only allow products to enter and exit from one side, which provides the least accessibility, but protects the material from damage or spillage.

Trolleys can also be fitted with dividers to organize SKUs or distinguish between shipments.

Wire picking trolleys.

One of the most common options for warehouse picking trolleys, these can include wire or steel shelving. Both options have unique characteristics that give them advantages for certain applications, such as rigidity and light weight.

Wire shelving are designed to minimize the accumulation of dust and dirt and increase air circulation and visibility. This design element is perfect for material that must remain clean and dry. Wire carts are ideal for industrial, warehousing and retail applications because of their durability and personalization.

Stainless steel carts are easy to clean and are not affected by frequent temperature changes or exposure to dampness, making them ideal for food service and sanitary operations. Stainless steel is also non-corrosive, so it does not contaminate the material.

Picking trolley with inclined shelves. Pick carts are a versatile material handling product that can be customized for warehousing and distribution center applications spanning multiple industries such as food service, retail and healthcare.

Shelf levels can be tilted to provide an ergonomic design to help increase visibility and picking flexibility. Trays or bins can be added to the shelving levels to provide greater organization in the storage of small piece material.

Thanks to this versatility, the warehouse picking carts can be customized to suit many specific applications.