A review from an equipment manager at a steel structure plant
After working on steel plant projects for over 20 years, my biggest fear was transporting steel structures. Those H-beams, dozens of meters long, and steel frames weighing over ten tons were a real pain to maneuver around the workshop. It wasn't until I started using a trackless electric transfer cart three years ago that I realized how easy it could be to move heavy objects.
I remember first witnessing its capabilities on a new overseas project we had just taken on. We had to complete the steel structure plant within two months, and the biggest headache was transporting 320 H-beams from the stockpile to the installation site. The traditional method involved two cranes and two flatbed trucks, requiring six workers to move a maximum of 20 H-beams per day. The deadline was so tight that I was even planning to work night shifts.
The equipment supplier, Lao Zhang, approached me and said, "Try the trackless electric transfer cart. I guarantee you'll be surprised." Honestly, I was skeptical at the time - could this thing, which looked like a metal platform on wheels, really handle 30 tons?
On the day of the trial, I was on-site to observe. The first 18-meter-long H-beam was hoisted onto the flatbed truck. The foreman, holding a remote control, slowly maneuvered the electric transfer cart like a remote-controlled car. The journey from the storage yard to the installation site was over 400 meters, with two right-angle turns. To my amazement, the entire transport process was remarkably stable, with the beam remaining motionless on the platform. Even more impressive was the flatbed truck's ability to rotate on the spot during turns. This maneuver, which used to take half an hour, now took just a minute.
That afternoon, we transported 45 steel beams using two flatbed trucks. The workers were eager to operate them, and Master Li smiled and said, "This is much more comfortable than operating a forklift. You just stand and press buttons, and you don't even break a sweat."
Three years later, our factory has six trackless electric transfer carts of varying tonnages. The largest, a 50-ton truck, is used to transport large steel frames, while the smallest, a 10-ton truck, is used for steel plates. My most profound experience came during last year's extremely tight power plant project.
At that time, we needed to transport 42-ton roof trusses to the installation site. The site conditions were extremely challenging: the space was too cramped to deploy a crane. Previously, we would have had to build temporary tracks, which would have taken at least a week to complete. Instead, we used a 50-ton electric flat cart equipped with a hydraulic lift system, and in just three days, we moved all 18 trusses into place. The client's on-site representative gave us a thumbs-up: "Your equipment is truly impressive!"
Over the years, I've learned a lot of tricks. The most important considerations when choosing a trackless electric transfer cart are:
Allow for load capacity. To transport a 30-ton steel frame, we must choose a model rated for at least 30 tons. Suppliers typically include a safety factor of around 1.2 times the load. When carrying heavy loads, the vehicle must travel slowly, especially when starting and stopping. Our flat carts excel in this area, with smooth acceleration.
The power supply must be reliable. The lithium or lead-acid batteries we use today can operate continuously for six hours on a single charge. We also keep spare batteries on hand to ensure no downtime. Remember to choose a waterproof model. Last summer, when a torrential downpour hit the construction site, the equipment continued to operate normally.
No safety features should be skimped on. The emergency stop button should be easily accessible, and the remote control should be designed to prevent accidental touches. Our equipment automatically brakes when the forward button is released, which is especially useful on slopes.
What I'm most satisfied with is the flexibility of this equipment. Last month, when renovating an old workshop, we needed to transport steel columns from the west end to the east end, passing through multiple work areas along the way. Using traditional methods would have required clearing the aisles and coordinating the shutdown of various processes. Now, the flatbed truck moves smoothly along the designated aisles, while other processes continue as normal, unimpeded.
Maintenance is also simple. Routinely, it's just a matter of checking the tires and tightening the screws. Key components are modular, so if a malfunction occurs, we simply replace the faulty part. In three years of use, apart from the routine replacement of small, easily worn parts, we haven't experienced any major issues.
As for cost savings, this 50-ton flatbed truck cost just over 30,000 yuan, making it much more cost-effective than a large crane. The operating cost is also low - a full charge costs less than 50 yuan, significantly cheaper than diesel. Most importantly, it saves labor. Now, two workers can do the work of six, and it's safer.
We recently added a new feature: automatic navigation. For repetitive transport tasks, the electric transfer cart automatically follows a pre-set route, eliminating the need for remote control. Workers joke that they don't even have to press a button anymore - this equipment is truly amazing.
Honestly, when working in heavy industry, finding the right equipment is incredibly important. Good equipment is more than just a tool; it's a partner in the fight. Now, the first thing I do on any project site is plan the route for the trackless electric transfer cart. With this powerful tool, moving even the heaviest steel structures is a breeze.
If you're also struggling with steel transport, consider a trackless electric flat cart. It might not surprise you, but it will definitely give you peace of mind - as our veterans say, "This iron thing is reliable!"
