Tool Trolley or Roll Cab? Castors, Brakes, Trays and Shelf Loads

Tool trolley hard to push, wandering or creeping away? Start with the castors: size, layout and brakes. Then match the trays and load per level, and decide if you need a roll cab too.

PartsForMachines has 53 products in its tool trolleys range, from composite and drawer trolleys to diagnostic trolleys and worktops, by Sealey and Draper.

Hard to Push: Bigger Wheels or Air-Filled Tyres?

Bigger wheels usually help; air-filled tyres only earn their place on a rough yard. The bigger the wheel, the less force it takes to push, so look for large castors: the CX110HV 3-level trolley, for example, runs on 100mm PU castors.

Air-filled tyres soak up bumps on uneven ground; indoors, solid tyres do the job and never need pumping up. Either way, keep air lines and leads off the trolley’s route.

Two Swivel Castors or Four, and Which Ones Need Brakes?

Two swivel and two fixed castors suit pushing between bays, four swivels suit tight corners, and at least two should have brakes. The fixed pair keeps a trolley tracking straight but makes it harder to turn in a cramped space, while four swivels move easily in any direction. The AP890M 5-drawer trolley with lockable top has the first layout, the CX205 composite trolley the second.

Most trolleys in the range brake or lock two of their four castors, usually the swivel pair on a fixed-and-swivel layout. Set the brakes before you load heavy parts or work on the top.

Tool Trolley or Roll Cab: Which Do I Actually Need?

Often both, because they do different jobs. A roll cab is the main store and stays by the bench; a trolley takes today’s tools to the car or lift and brings the removed parts back. The AP850MB, for example, suits service work alongside a larger roll cab.

If your kit is still small, a drawer trolley can be your first store. The AP266G 6-drawer tool trolley locks all six drawers when its lid is shut. At 68kg empty, though, it is a store on wheels, not a runabout. When your kit outgrows it, add a roll cab alongside.

Open Trays or Drawers, and How Much Weight Can Each Level Take?

Open trays suit the tools and parts for the job in hand, drawers suit kit that lives on the trolley, and the load each level can take matters more than the total. On trays, check the lips: the 31709 3-tier service cart has a lip on every side of each tray, while the CX308 leaves one side open for easy reach.

Per-level ratings run from 25kg on the CX314 to 113kg on the CX202, and drawers can be rated lower: on the AP890M, each tray takes 80kg but each small drawer 20kg. Ratings are often for an evenly spread load, so compare each one with your heaviest part.

What Should I Check Before I Buy?

• Route and floor: hoses, leads, thresholds or a yard? Bigger wheels take less effort; air-filled tyres suit rough ground.
• Castor layout and brakes: fixed and swivel for long pushes, four swivel for tight bays, brakes on at least two.
• Load: the rating per level and per drawer against your heaviest part.
• Trays and security: lips, drawers or a lockable top.
• Size and weight: the gap beside the car, the working height and the empty weight, from about 5kg (composite) to 68kg or more (six-drawer).

Not sure which suits your workshop? Contact the PartsForMachines team by WhatsApp, telephone or email, or browse the tool trolleys range.

Product options, delivery options and returns terms are shown on each product page. A 30-day return policy applies to eligible items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bolt bigger castors onto my trolley?

Often, but bigger wheels raise the top and every shelf, so check the new working height and any gap the trolley has to fit under. The new top plates must match the existing bolt holes, and each castor must suit the loaded weight.

Should I push or pull a loaded trolley?

Push it where you can, rather than pull it. Clear the route first, because trailing hoses and leads, raised edges and rough ground all add effort and risk. On a slope or a rough yard, split a heavy load into two trips.

Two trolleys look the same: will they carry the same load?

Not always, so compare the rating, not the look. The CX105 and CX109HV are almost the same size (840 x 405 x 810mm against 835 x 410 x 815mm), yet the CX105 takes 50kg per level and the CX109HV 80kg.

Where should the heaviest parts go on a trolley?

Low down and spread out. Put the heaviest parts on the bottom shelf, spread across the tray rather than piled in one corner, and keep every level within its rating.

Steel or composite: which suits oily or wet work?

Composite suits spills: one-piece moulded shelves, as on the CX204 and CX205, keep a spill on the top level off the one below. For oily tools, some steel drawer trolleys have an enamel finish that resists oil, dirt and mild solvents.

Can I add a worktop to an open trolley?

On some modular trolleys, yes. The 23641 stainless steel worktop fits the 646mm 23634 three-tier trolley, with all fittings supplied, and hardwood and 714mm versions are available too. Check your trolley’s width before you order.

Can I lock tools away on a trolley overnight?

Yes, on lockable models. The AP760M has a lockable gas-sprung lid over its top tray, and the drawers on the AP850MB lock automatically when its lid is closed. Several two-level trolleys also have a lockable drawer or top.

Is there a trolley for a diagnostic laptop and leads?

Yes. The APDT435R diagnostics trolley has a lockable compartment, an EVA-lined top shelf and a side tray. The 31711 diagnostic trolley has a power grommet, a power strip with USB ports and a collapsible side table for a laptop or tablet.

Can a trolley double as a dismantling trolley?

For smaller components, yes, and deep trays help. The CX202 has 110mm-deep shelves rated at 113kg each, and the lower shelves on the AP760M can be fitted base-up as deeper trays for components.