Rail transfer carts: a complete guide
Rail transfer carts allow moving heavy objects on the ground without lifting them. In this article, we describe the advantages of rail transfer carts and why, in some cases, they are an option for transporting and handling materials that can replace other systems using cranes or cables.
Transfer carts on rails: features
Although wheeled transfer carts exist, the rail-mounted version of a transfer cart is perfect for transporting large, heavy, and delicate objects. Sometimes, these materials (in the order of tens of tonnes and even more) cannot be handled aerially but must be handled in a flat plane.
The advantages of transfer trolleys over other material handling methods are the following.
Transfer carts with high stability
Rail-mounted transfer trolleys allow the handling and movement of weighty and bulky objects in a very stable, slow, and safe manner. In the case of the versions with rails, this characteristic is even more noticeable since a displacement on rails and cement gives a lot of solidity to the whole structure.
Automation
Rail transfer carts can have mechanisms such that they alone can make a specific journey autonomously without needing a supervisor. For example, when they must transport heavy parts or blocks from one production section to the next or between two different production plants.
Tailor-made route for the carts
You can adapt the route of the rails without prejudice to the type of production plant or the range of movements required. We can adjust the path of the rails to any need.
Carts are perfect for narrow spaces
The rail-mounted transfer carts can work in low-height spaces as they do not require aerial or suspended elements when moving on the ground. That makes them safer to operate.
Complementation
The rail transfer trolleys also work in a complementary way with other lifting and material handling systems, fixed (gantry cranes, crane bridges with various lifting systems) and mobile (as would be the case of forklifts and similar elevation systems).
Transfer rail carts for indoor or outdoor
We can install rail carts indoors or outdoors. An example of rail carts working outdoors is those installed in docks where they build large merchant ships and cruise ships. They allow the efficient and safe transport of large and heavy parts that make up these ships.
On-demand transfer cart with integrated JIB
- In this video, you can see a tailor-made transfer cart with integrated JIB.
- There’s a JIB (crane) on the transfer cart helping with the loads.
- The transfer cart is designed to work in a high-risk explosive area.
Some of our Transfer Cart designs
Fully customizable transfer rail carts
The design of transfer carts on rails is 100% customizable to the taste and needs of the customer.
Some of these personalizations are:
- Route of the rails
- Number of wheels
- Dimensions
- Height (or that the transfer cart is also adjustable)
- Speed of displacement
- Add elements of passive safety as:
- Bumpers
- Lights
- Sound when it is in movement
- Paint resistant to high temperatures to work in the iron and steel industry
We have many extra functions available for your transfer cart to adapt to your needs.
