It’s no secret that ease of maneuverability is a key component to medical cart success. Sometimes this can be especially challenging for inventory carts or for carts carrying heavy devices. All too often the first reaction is to change the casters, but we have found that is not always the best solution.
Rather, the first step in improving maneuverability is to evaluate all aspects of your current cart design and ask yourself these questions:
Have you ever tried lifting a heavy, five galleon bucket with just the metal handle—no plastic cover? Now, take that same pail and lift it with a plastic handle cover. The second one is much easier, right? Medical cart handles function in a similar way, especially with heavier carts. If your cart weighs more, consider implementing a handle that has a bigger diameter (within reason). A handle with a larger diameter minimizes the pressure on your hand by spreading the force over more surface area.
You may not have any control over the weight of the device on your cart, but there are ways to make your cart lighter while maintaining its structural integrity. Consider integrating an aluminum column or a cast aluminum base. Plastic and structural foam are also excellent alternatives for making your cart lighter.
Have you ever put something heavy on the end farthest away from the handle like a couple gallons of milk or a bag of cat litter? It can get pretty difficult to control the direction of your cart. The device placement on your custom medical cart may leave end users in a similar situation. You can optimize the ergonomics of your product by simply strategizing where the device sits.
Here's a list we've created with the best caster combinations for a variety of applications:
***Please note that these casters, while they have different applications, tend have a similar appearance, so the operator must understand when to implement each caster and how to differentiate between them.
If you're experiencing issues with custom cart ergonomics, contact us and we'll have your solution underway.