Material handling becomes a critical issue when transporting cylinders. Many might consider that what the cylinder contains is of no consequence and any truck can be used, but this is not necessarily true. The evidence comes from the many different types of trucks that have been specifically designed for butane, propane, oxygen and welder cylinders.
When handling volatile substances like this, it is always important to observe safety requirements and invest in the best trolleys for the job. This isn’t to say that budget, generic cylinder trolleys that carry oxygen and propane don’t exist however, it is simply that the buyer must decide which cylinder is the best for their particular jobs.
Generic Options
A trolley can potentially transport many different sizes of cylinders including oxygen and propane securely. The restraint might only be a chain that stops the cylinder from falling and it might not be the safest option in certain environments, particularly if the floor is uneven or there are other hazards that must be factored in. For those companies who do not require a specialist trolley, this is a perfect solution only requiring them to decide on the most ideal size. Such budget trucks are designed to hold the cylinder vertically when stationary and may have dependable solid rubber tyres that will make the movement of heavy goods easier.
Unique Options
Butane and propane are flammable gases and need to be handled carefully. A minimalist trolley can be specifically designed to carry 1 cylinder at a time, offering a very low profile while using the cylinders own natural balance to stand when not in motion. With a device like this, the cylinder can safely be transported quickly without increasing the size of the overall cylinder. For those businesses using many cylinders next to each other or transporting them through narrow areas, this can be very useful. In order to double the efficiency of the device, some variations of the trolley have an extra hook to carry another cylinder. Loading options do vary according to weight so it is always important to read the supplied literature.
Larger Cylinders
Larger, heavier cylinders naturally require some extra support. The truck can either transport the cylinder vertically or at a diagonal, supported angle with castor supports, saving the operator from bearing some of the weight. With these cylinders weighing up to 280 kilograms, some thought must go to the operator and the environment they will be working in. Securing chains may be used to add further support while the tyres should be heavy-duty and wide enough to deal with the loads.
In some instances, the truck itself can actually add to the overall weight, which can be undesirable. With lightweight cylinder trucks, this can be meaningfully reduced, although it does often come at the price of being able to handle less weight in total. An 11-kilogram truck might be lighter than the rest but it may only be able to take 138 kilograms.
Welders Trucks
Welder trucks need to be extra wide to carry two cylinders safely. Stability is very crucial here as it could be deployed in busy workshops or garages and having two cylinders on the truck could present a problem. The best options will have a restraining chain as well as a supporting frame to ensure they don’t slip or slide.
