A folding utility cart can be an invaluable tool for heavy lifting and loading, for janitorial use and for aiding individuals with impaired mobility. When determining the pricing and costs of folding utility cart options, from light to heavy load capacity, expect to pay from $30 to $200, and take into account additional costs for maintenance and service.

Keeping your utility cart well maintained will turn the cost of your folding cart into a smart investment. For example, regularly checking tire inflation will ensure that the cart's weight is distributed evenly and will alert you to when tire replacement is necessary. Using a foldable cart can also save on potential injury-related expenses resulting from improperly lifting and carrying loads.

When pricing a folding utility cart, consider the following options:

1. See how prices of folding hand truck models stack up against one another;

2. Consider foldable cart options for increased mobility and transporting light loads;

3. Use folding platform carts for safe and cost effective janitorial work.

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Compare prices on brands and models of basic folding utility cart

The most common type of folding cart for industrial use is the folding hand truck. Hand trucks have a range of versatile uses and may cost between $70 and $450 depending on their load capacity and how compact they are. Remember to keep your hand truck well maintained to maximize its lifespan.

I recommend: Compare specifications and prices on different models and styles of hand truck at Rand MH. Galt Technology also offers a buyer's guide across hand truck brands offering information about pricing and features for the top hand truck picks.

Get a lightweight, low cost foldable cart for increased mobility options

Many individuals with impaired mobility use folding carts to help carry basic office supplies and other lightweight loads. Providing a folding grocery cart or other foldable cart with mesh or fabric is useful for and appreciated by individuals who need some assistance carrying a small sized load.

I recommend: The Folding Cart Store sells metal and fabric bag carts for $30 to $50 and walker trolleys with a built-in foldable cart, designed for those who need more advanced mobility assistance, for $100-$150. Use the "Compare" feature from Stacks and Stacks to view features and pricing on carts side-by-side, or view a comparison chart of specifications and prices at ElderStore.

Use a foldable utility cart for cost effective building maintenance and cleaning

A folding utility cart is a good investment for building janitorial services. Several folding options are available, including flat bed platform trucks with fold-down handles. Janitorial carts have versatile uses and cost between $30 and $100, depending on the features.

I recommend: Janilink and Wesco both sell janitorial carts and platform-style folding cart options. Folding laundry and cleaning utility carts are also available from about $25 to $100; compare rates from different companies at Nextag.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buy at least one extra tire when you purchase a foldable utility cart of any kind. Spare tires typically cost between $10 and $20, and are useful to have on hand in case you need to replace a wheel at any time. You can also save on shipping costs by buying replacement tires when you purchase your cart.
• •  Purchase a tire gauge and tire pump for under $10 each to keep your tires inflated, which will allow you to operate your folding cart safely and efficiently.

There is a foldable utility cart for any job you can imagine. Carry mail, take-out lunch for co-workers or other odd-shaped items in a cart with one or more baskets. Carry prepared food or large items on a flat cart. Since the cart is foldable, store it out of the way when not in use.

Places a business can use a folding utility cart include:

1. Inside the office building—use a folding cart to move things from one room to another or between floors in a large office.

2. Off-site—use a folding cart to make deliveries or complete tasks on a job site.

3. Outside—if you maintain the grounds around your office building, use a folding cart for landscaping tasks.

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Transport groceries and other lightweight items in a folding grocery cart

Use this type of cart to carry items purchased down the block. You can transport multiple, hard-to-carry items to co-workers on a different floor in your office building with a folding grocery cart. Deliver items to local businesses. Keep it folded in the delivery van for remote deliveries.

I recommend: Find a large selection of folding grocery and shopping carts at Stacks and Stacks, named one of the top 300 Internet Companies in the United States by "Internet Retailer" Magazine Top 500 List. Order a folding shopping cart from HomeVisions, where you will see the estimated arrival date of your order after you place an item in the virtual shopping cart.

Make travel easier with a folding luggage cart

Ease your back on business trips when you carry your luggage on a folding cart. Give one to the frequent travelers in your office as a useful gift. Keep a folding luggage cart on hand to use when your business has out of town guests.

I recommend: Choose from several folding luggage carts at Keysan, where they sell a large variety of office and business supplies. Buy a compact, lightweight folding luggage cart or luggage accessories at J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc.

Move items from office to office with a folding utility cart

Use a lightweight cart to deliver mail and packages around your office building.

I recommend: Purchase a folding utility cart designed to go up and down stairs from Taylor Gifts, where they've been in business over 50 years and guarantee your satisfaction. Choose from a number of folding utility carts at MedexSupply. Pick from two sizes of folding utility carts from 1st Ergo, which matches prices and offers overnight shipping.

Carry heavy items with a folding hand truck

Use a folding hand truck to take the delivery of 20 reams of paper to the photocopier room. Move the laser printer to a different location. Bring food and beverages to the lunch room for an office party.

I recommend: Choose from a large selection of folding hand trucks at Hand Truck Super Store, specializing in hand trucks. Browse the many varieties of folding hand trucks and set up a side-by-side comparison of selected items at HandTrucks.com.

Use a folding tool cart in the garage or outside

Carry scraps of wood at a construction site. Cart away grass clippings. Transport bedding plants or mulch to the garden area.

I recommend: Buy a folding lawn and garden cart at People Powered Machines, where you can order online, by phone or by mail. Find a folding work cart for all types of jobs at Fold-A-Tools.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Mount hooks on the wall or ceiling to hang your foldable cart out of the way when not in use.

A utility cart is a wonderful piece of equipment for any office or place of business. If storage space is an issue, or if you need to take the utility cart on the road, a folding utility cart is the perfect solution to the problem. You can find folding utility cart types and styles designed for a variety of functions.

As you consider folding utility cart types and styles there are a number of items you should take a look at. Any rolling folding cart you purchase should fit within your budget, so shop around for the best deal. Also consider:

1. The purpose of the utility cart. You don’t need to purchase a large, heavy duty utility cart if all you plan to move with it are relatively lightweight items.

2. The construction of the folding cart: it should be well made and have no rough edges or weak joints.

3. The foldable utility cart should be easy to use. It should be easy to set up and take down. It should roll easily on all types of flooring.

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Find a folding utility cart for moving light-to-medium weight objects

Hand trucks or handcarts are the most familiar type of foldable utility cart in this category. It's easy to find a cart to move just about anything. More and more manufacturers are adding the folding function as an extra convenience for their customers.

I recommend: You can find a large selection of folding carts for moving small to medium sized items at the Global Equipment Company. Choose from a large selection of folding hand truck models at HandTrucksRUs.com.

Choose a platform foldable utility cart for heavier items

If you have something that weighs more or has a bigger base than you can easily carry with a small folding hand truck, consider purchasing a platform utility cart. Depending on the size of the cart and its configuration, you can easily transport a considerable amount of weight.

I recommend: Redbird Material Handling can supply you with a number of folding utility cart types and styles. Its jumbo folding cart and platform cart options can help you easily move bulky, awkwardly shaped items. You can also find a selection of folding platform utility carts from HandTrucks.com.

Select a specialty utility cart

A foldable utility cart designed for a special function can save your workers a lot of time and energy as they transport items with it. For example, there are foldable specialty carts that allow one person to navigate a heavy load of materials up and down stairs easily. These specialty carts are collapsible so you can transport them from one location to another in a vehicle.

I recommend: Uline offers a foldable cart designed to easily move computer equipment. You can also easily adapt this fold cart to other uses because it is small and lightweight. You can find a foldable utility cart for any purpose at Salesmaker Carts. Products include a variety of foldable stairwalker carts.

Folding utility carts are used to move and haul items of different sizes and weights in various settings, such as industrial, medical, office and home. Folding utility carts are available in many types, including specialty carts to carry things like garden supplies and luggage, as well as multi-functional carts that can carry large loads. Get to know the basic terminology of folding utility carts to find the one that is right for your needs.

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Garden carts

Garden carts are used for lawn and garden care to transport plants and other outdoor items. Garden carts are low to the ground and have wheels appropriate for the terrain, resembling wagons. Folding garden carts have sides that fold in for easy storage.

I recommend: Browse the Rhino Carts website for examples of folding garden carts.

Luggage carts

Aa luggage cart is essential for frequent business travel. Luggage carts are specially designed to carry suitcases and travel gear. They can hold heavy loads, but they are still lightweight and easy to fold up.

I recommend: View the selection of luggage carts at Redbird Material Handling.

Platform carts

Platform carts are used for moving stock and other large items. They are available in different weight capacity loads, materials and features. The most advanced platform carts fold to a small size for storage and have bumpers and rubber wheels to reduce damage to surfaces.

I recommend: See Netshops for a wide selection of platform carts.

Sales

Almost any type of cart can be used for sales presentations and demos, but some carts make the job easier and have a more professional appearance. Carts that can carry heavy loads and can easily be handled by one person are an important tool for traveling sales people.

I recommend: Check out Salesmaker Carts for examples of these specialty carts.

Hand trucks

A hand truck or dolly has a frame with a handle and a short platform used for stacking items to be moved. They fold up for storage. They are a popular choice for moving all types of equipment, since they are easy to handle and store.

I recommend: See WiseGeek for a full description of hand trucks.

Casters

Casters are one of the most important features on a cart because they determine what loads can be carried. Many carts can be upgraded with better casters. Factors like finish, size and tread affect the casters' performance.

I recommend: See tips for choosing the right caster and technical specifications for casters at Durastar.