Flatbed Trolleys are some of the most common form of transport in warehousing and distribution environments, for moving bulk loads. A very simple design that offer a basic flat platform with four castors and a fixed handle which is used to either push or pull the platform with the load on the platform. The castors used for the flatbed trolley can vary dramatically, whether they are a solid rubber, air filled pneumatic, or cast iron. The castor is generally the component on the flatbed trolley that gives the overall safe working capacity of the flatbed trolley.
The materials used to make the trolley, again can vary depending on the job the flatbed trolley is doing. The frame is usual a fabricated steel construction, however the main in fill for the base/platform can be filled with wooden boards, plastic, steel, or even mesh. The one stipulation for the flatbed trolley is that the bed is flat. If there is no in fill material used for base the this unit would become an open frame trolley, and if the handle is removed it would usually be referred to as a bogie, or dolly.[1]
Specialist trolleys include the piano dolly which exists in varied designs but consistently features small multi-swivel castors and a stronger than usual frame due to the loads required.[2] Modern factory systems commonly have electronic tracking of individual trolleys to facilitate automated bills of lading and fully automated systems may have computer controlled trolleys for transport during storage and access.[3]
