Roll Cages, Roll Containers and Delivery Cages

Buying advice for roll cages & roll containers

Five things to check before you order

Check the number of sides, whether the cages nest or fold when empty, the overall size against your narrowest aisle, door and vehicle, the castor size and tread, and the rated load against your heaviest single load. Measure aisles and doors in millimetres at floor level.

2 sided, 3 sided or 4 sided

Two open sides suit oversized goods loaded from either side. Three sides with an open front suit supermarket and stockroom restocking, where staff pick straight from the cage. Four sides suit secure transit of small or high value goods, and lockable versions add a door. Drop-in or folding shelves split smaller items across levels.

Castors

Most roll cages run on two fixed and two swivel castors of 100 mm to 125 mm. Polyurethane wears slowly on smooth concrete and polished retail floors and is the usual choice where floor marks matter. Rubber is quieter and grips better on rough or wet floors and loading bays, but wears faster. Check castors for flat spots, split tyres and seized swivels, and replace them in sets.

Safe use

The Health and Safety Executive publishes guidance on roll cages and a tool for assessing pushing and pulling (leaflet INDG478). The employer assesses each use and trains staff; no licence is needed. Watch slopes and tail-lifts, where a loaded cage can run away; thresholds, drains and wet floors, which stop castors dead; and visibility, so load below eye level. Put heavy items low and evenly spread, and never load a cage above its rated load.

Outdoors and storage

Zinc plated and galvanised steel resist rust for short spells on a yard or loading bay, but standing water, road salt and sunlight shorten the life of castors and finishes, so store cages under cover when the site is closed.