Category: K12

When trying to determine which utility cart is best for your facility, there are a few simple to follow guidelines that can help make the decision easier. No matter what segment you happen to operate in, following these procedures can be a great service to you and your team. So what exactly are we referring to? 

The three W’s! WHAT, WHERE, WHEN. Determining what each of these hold within your facility will lead you to the correct choice of a utility cart. But how difficult can it be? 

Actually, it’s not that hard, but instead quite fun! Together, let’s walk through those three W’s as well as some additional tips for when it comes to selecting the perfect utility carts for you and your facility. At the end, we’ll give you a versatile tool to help you with your selection.

WHAT will you transport?

This is the most basic and most obvious question you’ll need to answer. What are you moving from point A to point B, and how much do those items weigh? The reality is this will impact your utility cart choice in two important ways. First, the more weight you’ll move the heavier duty a foodservice cart on wheels will need to be. Utility carts come in different levels of durability. Moving 500 pounds on a utility cart designed to transport 250 pounds can be a major safety hazard, and your utility cart will not last. Second, the shape of the items you’re planning to move will impact the shelving requirements on the foodservice cart on wheels.

Other critical measures to take during this step include determining the intended use of the utility cart, how rough the floor surfaces will be, and the number of hours utilized need to be taken into consideration in order to find the right Lakeside cart for the job. In other words, the best value utility carts will provide years of service, not just months.

WHERE will you transport it?

It’s no secret that casters will play a key role in a utility cart’s capabilities. We’ve dug into the basics of casters in a previous post, but as it stands in terms of a foodservice cart on wheels selection, the main question to ask is over what types of surfaces will my utility cart travel. If the answer is smooth inside surfaces, the caster requirements will be different than uneven pavers out on the pool deck.

Caster size and wheel material is often an overlooked aspect of a utility cart in regards to its durability. The most common size for casters is 5 inches, but it all depends on the size of the load being carried. For heavier loads, the larger the caster should be, and for lighter loads, the smaller the caster can be. Deciding on the correct wheel material is pivotal too, since each type has its own offering. You may want to choose rubber if you want floor protection and minimum vibration. Say if you are needing a wheel that is resistant to liquids/fluids, polyurethane may be a better choice. The choices at Lakeside are endless!

WHEN will the utility cart be used?

This is a question operators and facilities managers might not think about. The fact is when utility carts are designed and manufactured here at Lakeside, we create utility carts designed for varying levels of usage. Incurring the expense of a foodservice cart on wheels designed for use 20 hours per day isn’t cost-effective for an operation that only needs to use the utility cart during a single, eight-hour shift. Likewise, a utility cart designed for minimal usage won’t cut it for higher-demand operations. How long you plan to use the foodservice cart on wheels plays a big role.

At Lakeside, we have put our utility carts through vigorous testing to make sure they last for years to come. So how long can our Lakeside carts be used throughout the day? Check it out below!

Standard Duty (300 pound weight capacity): 

No more than 3 hours per day. 

Medium Duty (500 pound weight capacity): 

No more than 4-9 hours per day.

Heavy Duty (700 pound weight capacity): 

No more than 9-12 hours per day.

Tough Transport (1000 pound weight capacity): 

No more than 10-18 hours per day.

Extreme Duty (1500 pound weight capacity): 

No more than 24 hours per day.

Additional Elements for Consideration

A utility cart’s design will determine its level of durability over time. Being aware of a utility cart’s physical features can make or break a successful transport. You don’t want to make the mistake of accidently putting 1000 pounds worth of items onto a foodservice cart on wheels with a capacity of only 300 pounds simply because you were unaware of its capacity. Just imagine the costly consequences this could have on not only your team and merchandise, but on your clients as well. Here are a couple elements you should take into consideration when looking for your perfect Lakeside cart… 

Gauge of the stainless steel

The thickness of stainless steel plays a major role in the strength of a utility cart. A key tip to remember when analyzing different types of stainless steel is that the lower the number is, the stronger the steel, and the higher the number, the less strong the steel will be. To sum it up, a utility cart on wheels constructed out of 14-gauge stainless steel is stronger than a utility cart that is made of 22-gauge stainless steel.

Frame Design

The frame design on a foodservice cart on wheels is integral to the utility cart’s overall structural support. Common variations of frame design include: Angle leg, tubular, “U” frame, and square tubular. Angle leg frames are usually equipped on standard and medium duty Lakeside carts that can carry 300 pounds and 500 pounds respectively. Whereas, a “U” frame or square tubular frame are more suited for hauling heavy loads that can reach up to an extreme 1500 pounds.

So which Lakeside cart is right for you?

Answering that question correctly includes cross-referencing the items above to hit an option that fits your best overall needs and challenges. Lakeside has a full range of utility carts, but the reality is most of those utility carts will either be too much or too little. To help you find the Lakeside cart that’s just right, we put together a comprehensive Lakeside cart selector that walks you through the WHAT’s, WHERE’s, and WHEN’s. It will assist in determining the correct utility cart in relation to your load capacity and daily use. Click the button below to use our new Lakeside cart selector or talk to a Lakeside cart expert today!

Utility carts can provide a wide range of functions in commercial foodservice or operational foodservice environments. Whether it’s delivering meals to a kindergarten classroom or mobile foodservice on a college campus, what you’re moving, how much it weighs, how far it goes, and how often a cart is used should be factored into the decision on which cart to buy. But more on that in a minute.

There are definitely some ideas for strengthening your mobile foodservice capabilities, though, and one of them is to determine how durable a cart is needed based on Lakeside’s five levels of durability. How are levels determined?

Basically, Lakeside’s Durability Index is a function of how the cart will perform over time performing the functions it was designed to perform. This is a calculation that goes beyond simply adding up the total weight of the cargo. It involves analyzing other factors like the weight individual shelves will hold, the type of flooring over which the cart will move, and the number of times per day the cart will be used.

Lakeside then takes this data to create and develop cost-effective solutions that will meet the demand of their Durability Index, and they fall into five different categories.

Lakeside’s Durability Index Ratings

STANDARD DURABILITY CARTS

For starters, Lakeside offers standard durability utility carts that are designed to transport lighter loads of 300 pounds or less for up to three hours per day. These are classic cart options that take care of all the important and basic functions an operator would need including bussing, set-up tray stations, and more. Use Standard Durability models over smooth tiles, vinyl tile floors, and smooth indoor concrete.

MEDIUM DURABILITY CARTS

These economical carts can be used in the front-of-the-house or for more utilitarian functions like deep well utilities. Shelving is reinforced with a hemmed front for more moderate loads of up to 500 pounds. They are designed to be used from four to nine hours a day over smooth surfaces.

HEAVY-DUTY CARTS

As with the other tiers in Lakeside’s Durability Index, the higher you go on the scale, the more weight the cart can handle. In the case of Lakeside’s Heavy Duty carts, they can transport weights of up to 700 pounds for as many as 12 hours a day. From the receiving dock to the warewashing station, loads can be transported over vinyl, ceramic tiles, indoor concrete, and carpet.

TOUGH TRANSPORT CARTS

The higher we get on the Durability Index, the more these carts can handle. For operators looking to transport up to half a ton per load, the Tough Transport Cart option will achieve those objectives from 10 to 18 hours per day. To provide even more functionality, caster systems are designed to roll over uneven tile floors, thresholds, elevators and carpets. With shelving made from 14 gauge stainless steel and legs that are 1/8 inch stainless steel, Tough Transport Carts can handle just about any job with its weight capacity of 1000 pounds.

EXTREME DUTY CARTS

Finally, for operators who need the ultimate in durability, Lakeside’s Extreme Duty Carts deliver the ultimate in performance, with carrying capacities up to 1,500 pounds for use around the clock. These carts are often used for extreme functions in operations ranging from casinos to correctional facilities across any type of surface, from the parking lot to uneven pavement.

 

If the above information is helpful, but you’re still finding it difficult to determine exactly which durability level you need, check out our easy-to-use cart picker. Simply answer a few questions about your intended use cases, and we’ll direct you to the models that will suit you best — nothing more, nothing less.

Most of us have heard the expression it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it that counts. Although this saying offers good advice, it doesn’t tell the whole story. While being more efficient and productive can definitely give your foodservice operations a boost, knowing how to become more efficient by moving more at once will help your back-of-the-house operations by giving back time and energy to your staff. If you are looking for a way to increase productivity, it’s smart to take a look at your equipment right off the bat. Equipment plays a critical role in the evermoving and evolving foodservice industry. 

Utility carts carry the heavy load of many supplies on a day-to-day basis, so it is important to be using the right cart for the right job while also making sure these carts are working with staff and not against them. Ergonomically designed utility carts allow operators to move more weight without putting themselves at risk from injury, whether it’s moving inventory within a kitchen or across an entire facility. Whatever the transport path is, having a cart that allows you to move a heavier load while reducing operator strain can help increase operational efficiency. It’s no secret that the right equipment can make a huge difference, but below are the specifics of how being able to move more, safely of course, with the right cart, can help your organization immensely. 

The Impact of Labor Savings:

Being able to move more at once with a cart that can handle the load allows for productivity to increase making tasks quicker and easier to complete. Every foodservice director wants to increase productivity and efficiency, but is your equipment there to back up this goal? Transporting is a task that is done throughout an entire day whether that is moving the early morning food deliveries to the refrigerator or bringing dirty dishes into the kitchen from tables that were bussed. 

Another factor that plays into labor savings is the strain of transporting. Transporting heavy loads can take a toll on the staff member who is operating the cart. Staff members need ergonomic carts that focus on their safety while accommodating their needs; instead of hindering them and their responsibilities. When an operator starts to lose energy, tasks can take longer to complete. Using a cart that is designed with the operator in mind helps to reduce this strain to keep the operator safe and on their A game. 

Showing staff, they are valued is crucial in any workplace, especially the foodservice industry as it can be physically demanding. Using equipment that helps operators is a sure way to show they are feeling supported by their employer. Having a smaller team is something many foodservice directors have come to know far too well. With limited staff, the hustle and bustle can quickly catch-up with staff who have to make up for the gaps. One way to help bring back time to a labor-starved team is through the equipment used. Moving more at once with a cart that is engineered to do so can not only save time, but also reduce operator strain all while increasing efficiency. 

The Impact of Maneuverability: 

It can be easy to dream of the idea of moving more at once to save time, but in the end, mobile equipment is what helps get the job done. While a utility cart is not on your payroll, these carts are putting in the hours to help your team. Having carts that are not only built to hold your heaviest loads, but also maneuver with ease is the ideal combination. When transporting foodservice supplies, oftentimes these items can be fragile. Making sure they stay in place while being moved helps to reduce accidents where supplies and money are wasted to breakage, spills and splatters. Ensuring the safety of the items you are transporting starts with a cart that is designed to go over bumps and take corners with ease and can make a world of difference in helping you move more at once. 

Handling the load is one of the number one tasks of a utility cart which is why Lakeside has a wide selection of carts with varying weight capacities to ensure there is a cart for any tasks. The power of the cart you use can be quite noticeable, take for instance West Clermont schools who were able to reduce their trips from thirteen trips to deliver meals to classrooms down to just three trips all by using equipment that can transport more efficiently. Having a durable cart can increase efficiency tremendously. 

Improving operational efficiency can be a daunting task. Taking a look the equipment being used and its functionality is a great first step toward increased efficiency. When equipment works with your staff to allow them to transport more while reducing operator strain, the ideal solution has been found. Lakeside recently launched the Load-Master motorized cart that helps solve this exact problem. This motorized cart allows operators to move more, all while having to exert less effort to move the cart. Move the heaviest of loads with the Load-Master so that the cart is doing the heavy work while the operator is able to save time and reduce strain. Lakeside has a team of experts to help find the right cart so that you’re able to move more at once to improve productivity and efficiency. Contact a cart expert here! 

Utility carts have been transporting loads of supplies, food, and equipment for years. While these pieces of equipment may not be noticed by customers, they are well-known by back-of-the-house staff as they make transporting much easier and less straining. Utility carts offer various use-cases making them extremely multifunctional. With their versatility, a cart is pushed and pulled many times throughout a day putting in hours of work to help foster efficient operations. While many transportation tasks utilize the pushing mechanism, there are many tasks where the pulling mechanism may be a good fit. Here, the two maneuvering mechanisms of pushing and pulling will be reviewed to showcase when it is best to use each.

When to Push:

Pushing offers many benefits to the cart operator allowing this mechanism to be chosen most commonly for moving a cart from one place to the next. Pushing a cart allows for full visibility of items on the cart to ensure they stay on the cart during transport while also offering an ideal body position that can help reduce strain on the operator. Moving heavy loads should always warrant pushing compared to pulling as the heavy load can cause injuries if pulled. There are many times pushing is the optimal mechanism for transport, so let’s go over a few of those. 

If a cart is ever going to be going down a decline, be sure to push. If an operator were to lose control of the cart while going down a decline, pushing a cart would help ensure the operator’s safety so as to not have the cart fall back onto them. Aside from this blanket guideline, any other heavy loads should ideally be pushed. Restocking a bar with new bottles of liquor and wine can be a straining task. Utility carts allow this task to be completed efficiently and safely. A cart full of heavy bottles should be pushed to keep the operator’s well-being in mind. Another example of a time when pushing works best is transporting large produce deliveries. Produce can be extremely heavy, especially in large quantities. Pushing a fully loaded cart filled with produce is a best practice. Moving warming pans from the kitchen to the catering venue or to the buffet line is another prime example of when to use the pushing mechanism as these loads can become quite heavy. Pushing offers many different benefits and can be the best transport mechanism for various foodservice tasks. 

When to Pull: 

Pulling utility carts is an alternative way to maneuver during transport. While pushing is more commonly used, pulling a cart can be beneficial for certain tasks. In general, heavy loads should be pushed. If a light load needs to be transported, pulling is a good option as it allows you to see your path to avoid any accidents of running into things. Various transporting tasks can be done efficiently using the pulling method. So, what are some examples of when to pull?

Restocking a bathroom or sink area with new paper products is an optimal time to pull a cart due to the light nature of these items. While this task is not customer facing, bringing new flatware and napkins to cleaned and cleared tables is. With these items having a lighter weight, pulling can offer an ideal transport mechanism to bring these items from back-of-house to front-of-house all while making sure not to interrupt guests’ experiences. Deliveries come in nearly daily for foodservice operations, with some being lighter loads and some being heavier. When lighter loads come in, pulling these items on a cart can be very efficient. Pulling may not be the option that is typically chosen, but there are times and places where this mechanism shines. 

Transporting supplies and food is a daily task in the foodservice industry. Finding the best way to maneuver carts can help increase efficiency and reduce operator strain. Pushing a cart and pulling a cart both come with their advantages with each working optimally for various tasks. Lakeside recently launched the new Easy-Pull cart that allows for easy pushing and pulling of a cart with an unlocked pull-down handle. Make transporting a breeze with the Easy-Pull here!

Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to foodservice operations. When feeding a large number of diners for various meal services each day, it is important to use ingredients that are versatile so that they are able to be used in various dishes. Having ingredients that can be used in various dishes helps to reduce the amount of waste your operations produce since your kitchen staff know what they have and are able to use the ingredients up before they expire. Quality of quantity can be translated into the foodservice realm as well. 

Menus that have six stellar dishes compared to a menu with thirty options can evoke various reactions within your guests. Diners find it more impressive to have a smaller menu that they are sure the chefs have mastered over a menu that has everything under the sun as an option but is mediocre at best. Restaurant Business Online summarized this concept perfectly. “Using versatile ingredients can help ensure margins are great, labor is efficient, staff aren’t overstressed, and diners are happy.” Using versatile ingredients is a concept that nearly every kitchen has adapted to, especially when supply chain issues have been affecting the foodservice industry at a higher rate over the past few years.

Versatility is a critical aspect in the foodservice industry, especially in relation to their operations. While using versatile ingredients in your menus is important, versatility does not need to just stop there. When versatile ingredients are paired with versatile equipment in the kitchen, operations are sure to be even more efficient all while saving time, space, and money. Versatile equipment helps free up space in your kitchen, increases labor efficiency, and saves money with their ability to be a multifunctional asset. The benefits are clear, but let’s go a little deeper into each. 

Money Savings:

It is no secret that every foodservice operation is running on a budget. Whether you’re in the high-end dining side of the industry, or you are serving thousands of college students each day, every operation has a budget they need to stay within. When there are opportunities to cut costs while still ensuring quality, most foodservice directors take the opportunity. Equipment can be very expensive but is necessary for you to continue serving your customers. Without reliable equipment, your doors will not be able to remain open. 

Versatile equipment has a higher ROI and in return, can save you budget from major hits. When one piece of equipment is now serving the purpose of two old pieces of equipment, you now only need to purchase one new piece of equipment as opposed to two. So, the next time you’re in need of a new piece of equipment, consider finding a solution that offers multifunctionality to save your future budget.  

Time Savings:

With the current labor shortage that is greatly affecting the foodservice industry, finding ways to reduce the time it takes to complete tasks can be extremely helpful to your overall operational efficiency. With versatile equipment, staff are able to use one piece of equipment for various uses which saves a great deal of time. Rather than having to switch between different pieces of equipment for the many different tasks during a shift, versatile equipment allows you to eliminate the time it takes to swap out equipment. 

Time is money, and this is especially true when your team is short staffed. Versatile equipment allows staff to increase their functionality which in the end contributes to back-of-the-house operational efficiency. Multifunctional equipment often allows the operator to remove one step in the process of a given task for example using a drying rack that also serves as storage eliminates the need to move the dishes twice. Even the elimination of one small step in the process can save a lot of time over the course of a shift. 

Space Savings: 

Whether you have a small scale or a large kitchen, it seems we always could use more space in the kitchen. With many kitchens adapting to smaller scale footprints, multifunctional and versatile equipment has become a must. No matter the size of a kitchen, we all can afford to get some workspace back. Versatile equipment allows one piece of equipment to serve the function of at least two other pieces of equipment which gives back space to your crowded kitchen. When multiple needs are able to be met with one piece of equipment, staff will have more room to maneuver around the kitchen which can help reduce injuries and accidents from occurring. 

With less obstacles to maneuver around, staff can move quickly, efficiently and safely when completing their tasks. Crowded kitchens usually mean a full staff is on board, which is something every operation hopes to have. Keeping the staff you do have on your team safe and able to perform their job efficiently is crucial to thriving in the labor shortage. Versatile equipment has many benefits, but the space savings they offer can make a huge difference in your operations. 

 

Lakeside’s new product, the Easy-Pull utility cart, is a versatile piece of equipment that can help save time, space, and money in your foodservice operations. With its multi-functionality of being able to push and pull loads, you are now able to do more with less. Explore the Easy-Pull utility cart today!