Gas Bottle Trolleys FAQs
Straight answers to the questions people ask most when choosing and using gas bottle trolleys.
How do I make sure the trolley fits my cylinders?
Cylinders come in several sizes, so check the diameter and height of yours against the trolley's specification. Trolleys are made for full-size cylinders, for smaller ones, or for a particular combination of gases, and a cylinder that is too small for a trolley will not sit or be held securely.
Measure the cylinders you use now and any you may move to later. Check also that the securing chains or straps are long enough and that the base of the trolley is the right size for the cylinder.
Pneumatic wheels or solid tyres - which is better?
Pneumatic (air-filled) wheels absorb bumps and are easier to push over rough ground, gravel, kerbs and outdoor surfaces, so they suit site work. Solid or puncture-proof tyres never go flat and need no maintenance, which suits smooth workshop floors and places where a puncture would be a nuisance.
Larger wheels roll more easily over obstacles. Pick the wheel type to suit the ground you move over most often. Pneumatic wheels need occasional pressure checks.
Why do cylinders need to be chained or strapped to a trolley?
A gas cylinder is tall, heavy and narrow, so it can fall over very easily. A falling cylinder can injure someone, and can damage the valve or regulator, which is serious with high-pressure gas.
Always secure each cylinder to the trolley with the chain or strap provided, and keep it secured when the trolley is stationary and in use as well as when moving. Check that the chain is intact, the fastening works and the cylinder is held snugly.
Can I move a cylinder on a trolley with the regulator and hoses still fitted?
Follow your site procedure and the advice of your gas supplier, because the right practice depends on the equipment, the distance and the ground. For a short move on a level floor, equipment is often moved with the cylinder valves closed and the hoses and torch secured so they cannot snag or be pulled.
For longer moves, rough ground, steps or vehicles, the usual safe practice is to close the valves, release the pressure and remove the regulator, then fit the valve protection cap where the cylinder has one. Check your gas supplier's guidance and your risk assessment for your own set-up.