A beam trolley is a valuable piece of construction equipment that is used on sites the world over. They are essentially like wheeled clamps that lock onto I beams and allow loads to traverse along them horizontally. Used in conjunction with chain hoists to carry loads up to 30 tonnes, they are a key facet of beam construction.
But what are the differences between the various types of beam trolleys? Which one is right for your site? Where can you find them and how much do they cost? If you’ve ever asked yourself one or more of these questions, then you are in the right place.
In this article we are going to break down the differences between beam trolleys in their two most basic forms, while also going into some detail on the various beam trolleys that you can purchase.
And if by the end of the article, you’re still scratching your head about which beam trolley is right for you, then feel free to contact a member of our team, and they will fill in all the blanks for you.
THE TWO MAIN FORMS OF BEAM TROLLEY
While there are a number of different kinds of beam trolleys available out there, they will generally fall into one of two categories. Manual push trolleys, or geared trolleys, the physical difference between which is pretty clear from their names! But what are they capable of, and which suits your needs better? Let’s take a closer look.
MANUAL PUSH TROLLEYS AND HOW THEY WORK
Manual push trolleys are (surprise surprise) operated manually, by pushing them across beams. They are sometimes capable of carrying loads of up to 5 or even 10tonnes, but they are not considered the safest and most accurate way to move the heaviest of loads.
Their side plates have internal wheels paired with lubricated ball bearings for smooth transit. Once they are securely tightened around the beam with space to roll, it’s time to load up. A safely secured load will be attached to a chain hoist that is then attached to the beam trolley, and then it’s just a case of carefully pushing or pulling the trolley along the beam as far as it needs to go.
With all beam trolleys it is essential that you ensure their ability to safely tighten around the beam that they will be traversing. If they are too tight the wheels won’t get any traction and the load won’t be going anywhere, but if too loose, you risk losing your trolley and load, and worse still, you risk causing serious injury.
Now it’s time to have a look at some specific manual push beam trolley models, so you know exactly what to keep an eye out for!
EXAMPLES OF MANUAL PUSH TROLLEYS
Kito TSP Push Travel Trolley
- 5tonne capacity
- Compatible with up to 305mm beam width
- Rubber buffers to reduce damage to trolley or beam end stoppers etc
- Lightweight design
Tiger Push Beam Travel Trolley
- 10tonne capacity
- Multiple flange width compatibility from 63-203mm
- Anti-drop plate design to reduce damage on contact with beam end stoppers etc
Yale HTP Standard Push Travel Trolley
- 5tonne capacity
- 220mm beam width compatibility with type-a, or 300mm compatibility with type-b
- Smooth rolling technology
P.S. It’s worth noting that any beam trolley’s weight capacity will be somewhat determined by the width of the beam. As a rule, for a heavier load you will want a wider beam, and details will be given in the specifications for each trolley.
GEARED BEAM TROLLEYS AND HOW THEY WORK
Geared beam trolleys work largely in the same way as the manual push variety, with the key difference being they are operated by gears and chains, rather than by pushing. Essentially, the trolley works by the pulling of a chain, which sets the gears in motion moving the wheels and sending the trolley on its way.
This form of beam trolley is capable of carrying heavier loads that are difficult to push, as well as being a more stable alternative to the push counterparts. The gears and chains allow you more control over the loads that you are moving, with the option to take breaks through a slower steadier completion of the task.
There are also electric travel beam trolleys, that work similarly to the geared variety, but with a motorised mechanism, but they deserve an article all of their own!
WHICH IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Now that you know how beam trolleys work, the differences between the two main forms, and what to look out for, it might be time to pick one for your construction site. If dealing with lighter loads, then perhaps a manual push is all you need, but if being careful with the heaviest loads is the name of your game, then a geared beam trolley should be your choice.
A beam trolley is an investment that could save you a lot of time and effort, so make your choice count!
As always, if you’re still not 100% on the right choice for you, don’t hesitate to contact us, and a member of our team will promptly point you in the right direction.
