Service & Utility Carts

What Counts as a Utility Cart in This Collection

In an industrial setting, a utility cart is a rigid, multi-shelf cart on casters that you push by hand to move parts, tools, supplies or work in progress. Every cart here has two or three fixed shelves. Most have a push handle. Some instrument carts have no handle, so they work as mobile tables you can roll up to a bench or machine. If you need a flat deck for bulky loads instead of shelves, see our platform trucks. For order picking and storage on the move, browse stock carts and order picking carts.

How to Choose a Service Cart or Instrument Cart

Capacity

Start with the heaviest load you will carry, including bins and fixtures. Most Durham instrument and service carts in this range list an overall capacity of 1200 lbs. The Durham rolling service cart with phenolic casters lists 3000 lbs. Always check the capacity on the product page and use the cart according to the manufacturer's instructions and your site's safety program.

Shelf size and count

Measure your largest item, then check aisles, doorways and elevators against the cart's overall dimensions, not just the shelf size. Durham shelves range from 18 x 30 in. up to 36 x 72 in. Vestil steel and aluminum service carts come in 22 x 36, 28 x 40 and 28 x 48 shelf sizes. Three shelves give you more sorting space. Two shelves leave more room between them for tall items. Distance between shelves ranges from 12.5625 in. on the three-shelf Durham service cart to 26.75 in. on the Durham bin service cart.

Lipped or flush shelves

Flush shelves let you slide boxes, trays and instruments on and off easily. Lipped shelves, with a 1.5 in. lip on the Durham models that have one, help keep loose parts from rolling off. Durham low profile instrument carts use a lipped/flush combination layout.

Handle style

Choose a standard handle for general pushing, an offset handle on the low profile models, or an ergonomic handle on the Durham RICE series. Pick a no-handle instrument cart when you want a clean mobile work surface you can reach from every side.

Utility Cart Comparison by Style

Materials and Finishes

Durham carts are built from 14 gauge steel with a textured powder paint finish in gray. Many models add non-slip vinyl matting on the shelves to keep instruments and parts from sliding. Some Durham instrument carts include a drawer (14-3/4 x 19-9/16 x 6-5/16 in.) for small tools and paperwork. Vestil offers steel and aluminum service carts, plastic utility carts, and commercial service carts with or without panels. Steel suits heavy loads and rough handling. Aluminum is lighter and easier to push. Plastic resists dents and is easy to wipe down, which helps in kitchens and janitorial work.

Casters and Floor Conditions

Pneumatic casters (8 x 2-3/4 in. on many Durham carts) soften the ride over cracks, thresholds and outdoor paths, which helps protect sensitive instruments. Semi-pneumatic casters (8 x 2-1/4 in.) cushion the load without needing air. Polyurethane casters roll quietly on finished floors. Phenolic casters handle heavy loads on smooth concrete. A setup with two rigid and two swivel casters tracks straight down long aisles. Four swivel casters make it easier to turn in tight spaces. Side brakes, available on select Durham service carts, hold the cart in place while you load or work at it.

Using and Caring for Your Cart

Load heavy items on the lower shelf and spread weight evenly. Push rather than pull wherever you can. Check pneumatic tires for proper inflation, and clear debris from caster wheels so they keep rolling freely. Wipe powder-coated and vinyl-matted surfaces with a mild cleaner, and touch up chips in the finish to limit corrosion. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for capacity and use, along with your site's safety program.

Brands We Carry

Durham Manufacturing makes most of the instrument, low profile, bin and service carts on this page. Vestil adds steel, aluminum, plastic and commercial service carts. For other ways to move material, see hand trucks and carts, panel carts for sheet goods, and lift carts when you need to raise a load to working height.