Couplings & Connections

1. The Hook Design

The most common type of coupling on the market and often the default for many suppliers, the hook design as the name suggests, simply hooks onto your trolley or cart’s frame

Simplistic in its’ design, many suppliers offer this in an array of dimensions but ultimately all of them function in the same way. While it delivers simplicity and to a degree, standardisation – it’s important that you consider your environment, load, and operation, as hook designs have an element of movement and flex in their connection.

The biggest shortcoming of a hook-style design is that it risks ‘letting go’ of your load. If you have areas of uneven floor or need to navigate slopes or obstacles, a simple hook design likely isn’t the answer. As the tug and load move around, undulations in the floor or movement on slopes can lead to the coupling inadvertently unhooking itself from your cart, resulting in a loss of control and the potential for serious consequences.

Basic hook designs don’t deliver a large amount of control when it comes to steering and handling a load either. This is because, without some kind of mechanical clamp, the hook can travel and move along your trolley frame, making handling and control of the load difficult. This means that, particularly when pushing, the movement of the coupling on the cart frame might make steering and control harder than it needs to be.

Tip: An array of cost-effective simple hook options on the market allows you to connect and go, but if you’re looking for security and control, a hydraulic or mechanical clamp is a worthwhile investment.

3. The Pin & Drawbar

A familiar design to many, typical towing connections such as pin couplings are perfect for loads already fitted with drawbars or towing eyes.

These offer a simple, standardised, plug-and-play option for applications where the bulk movement will be towing or pulling.

Other options in this category include couplings such as ball hitches and pintles. This connection point is commonplace in applications where existing tow units or forklifts have previously been used to mobilise loads.