What to Look for When Choosing Carts for Modular Home Manufacturing
In modular home manufacturing, the right carts can make a big difference in efficiency, safety, and product quality. Whether you are moving wall panels, prebuilt room pods, cabinetry kits, or glass panels, your carts need to handle heavy loads, protect finished surfaces, and roll smoothly through busy production areas.
Not all carts are created equal. The type of cart you choose should match the materials it will carry, the environment it will operate in, and the demands of your workflow. Below are some of the most common cart types found in modular home plants and what to consider when selecting each one.
Panel Carts
Panel carts are designed to move large, flat materials such as wall panels, roof sections, or large sheets of drywall. In modular plants, they often carry finished or partially finished panels from framing to staging or assembly.
Look for panel carts with:
- High-quality polyurethane tread for floor protection, reduced push/pull force, and durability under heavy loads.
- Medium to large wheels for easier rolling across expansion joints or small debris. Wheels in the 5–6 inch range are a good middle ground for most applications.
- Locking casters to keep panels stable during loading or unloading.
Transfer Carts
Transfer carts move heavy or bulky assemblies between work areas. In modular production, they might carry prebuilt bathroom pods, large cabinetry assemblies, or other high-value components from fabrication to staging.
A good transfer cart should have:
- Heavy-duty casters rated for the loads you need to move.
- High-quality polyurethane tread to protect floors and make movement easier.
- Total lock brakes to hold loads securely in place.
- Maintenance-free or kingpinless raceways in the caster rigs for long-lasting, consistent performance.
Kitting Carts
Kitting carts keep all parts and components for a specific build together in one place. In modular plants, they might hold everything for a kitchen installation, which could include cabinets, sinks, faucets, and hardware, or all the materials needed for a bathroom module.
When choosing kitting carts, consider:
- Shelving or compartment layouts that protect finishes and prevent damage in transit.
- Casters with high-quality polyurethane tread that roll easily when fully loaded, so operators can move kits without strain.
- Compact footprints that still allow for organization but fit through narrow aisles.
Material Handling Carts
Material handling carts cover a wide range of designs, from flatbed carts and platform trucks to utility carts and mobile racks. In modular home manufacturing, they might carry electrical components, plumbing assemblies, trim pieces, tools, or hardware to where they are needed on the line.
Look for:
- Frames constructed from thick-gauge steel with fully welded joints to handle heavy loads, frequent movement, and repeated loading and unloading.
- Casters with high-quality polyurethane tread and high rebound resilience that roll easily, protect floors, and hold up under daily use.
- A combination of rigid and swivel casters to balance maneuverability with stability.
Choosing the Right Casters for Your Carts
No matter the cart type, the casters you select will directly affect ergonomics, safety, and productivity. High-quality polyurethane tread offers excellent floor protection, reduced rolling resistance, and durability for high-frequency use. For heavier loads or environments with debris, heavy-duty options ensure your carts stay reliable and easy to move.
CC Apex: Versatility You Can Rely On
No matter the cart type, the wheels you choose will determine how well it performs on your production floor. CC Apex, our renowned line of polyurethane wheels, is a proven solution for a wide range of modular home manufacturing carts, from panel and transfer carts to kitting and material handling carts.
CC Apex features a high-quality polyurethane tread that protects floors, reduces push/pull force, and holds up under heavy loads and frequent movement. Its precision ball bearings keep carts rolling smoothly, while the rounded tread profile helps navigate over debris, floor seams, and imperfections without slowing operators down.
For plants looking to improve ergonomics, reduce noise, and extend caster life, CC Apex delivers dependable performance day after day.
SKU: CC-1210-600200-40-T1
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
SKU: CC-1010-600200-40-T1
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6R
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
6" CC Apex Kingpinless Swivel Caster
SKU: CC-2110-600200-40-T1
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S-KP
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
6" CC Apex set - 2 swivel/2 rigid
SKU: CC-10/1210-600200-40-T1-SET4
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S/R-set-2s/2r
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
6" CC Peak Maintenance-Free Swivel CC Apex Caster
SKU: CC-3110-600200-40-T1
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S-EMF
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
6" CC Peak Maintenance-Free Swivel CC Apex Caster w/ Built-In Brake
SKU: CC-3210-600200-40-T1-BIB
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S-EMF-BIB
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
6" CC Apex Extended-Lead Kingpinless Swivel Caster
SKU: CC-2210-600200-40-T1
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S-KP-EXT
-
- Overall Height
- 7-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
SKU: DC-R110-600200-40-T2
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6R-DUAL-TP2-OH4
-
- Overall Height
- 8"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,800 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
6" CC Apex Swivel Caster w/ Ideal-Stop Brake
SKU: BC-2410-600200-40-M1-B7
ALT-SKU: CCAPEX-6S-IS-TP7-OH10
-
- Overall Height
- 8-1/2"
- Wt. Capacity
- 1,000 lbs.
- Wheel Width
- 2"
- Wheel Diameter
- 6"
The Bottom Line
The right cart can improve workflow, protect your materials, and make life easier for your operators, but only if it is equipped for the job. Matching cart type and caster selection to your plant’s needs ensures you get the best performance and the longest service life from your equipment.
Need help finding the right carts and casters for your operation? Contact a representative to schedule your free Caster Needs Eval. Our Caster Nerds will assess your equipment, load requirements, and operating conditions such as floor type, presence of debris, or washdown requirements, then recommend solutions tailored to your plant.
