An ITA Class VI vehicle with a flatbed for carrying parts and materials in manufacturing.
Detailed Definition
A burden carrier is a powered vehicle with a cargo platform or box that carries materials, tools and parts, usually along with the driver and sometimes a passenger. It does not lift loads; items are placed on it by hand, hoist or forklift. Burden carriers are common in plants, warehouses, campuses, airports and large facilities where distances are too long for walking with carts. The Industrial Truck Association groups them with tow tractors in Class VI, electric and internal combustion engine tractors, and many models can also pull carts.
Burden carriers versus tow tractors and forklifts
A tow tractor is built mainly to pull a train of carts and usually carries little on its own frame. A burden carrier is built mainly to carry material on its deck, with towing as a secondary use. A forklift lifts and places loads at height, which a burden carrier cannot do. In a typical setup, a forklift loads a pallet or bins onto the burden carrier at the dock, the carrier moves it across the site, and another forklift or a person unloads it at the line or workstation.
Choosing and operating a burden carrier
- Match deck size and rated capacity on the data plate to your heaviest planned load, including any pallet
- Check rated towing capacity separately if carts will be pulled
- Electric models are usual indoors; engine-powered models suit longer outdoor runs where ventilation is not a concern
- Secure loads, since the deck has no forks or backrest holding them in place
- Confirm with your safety team whether OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 applies to your vehicle and train operators to the manufacturer's instructions
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a burden carrier carry a full pallet?
Some can, if the deck is large enough to hold the pallet footprint without overhang and the rated capacity covers the load plus the pallet. A standard 48 x 40 inch pallet needs a deck at least that size. Because burden carriers cannot lift, a forklift or crane must load and unload the pallet. The load should be secured, since braking and turns can shift a pallet on a flat deck that has no side rails.
Do burden carrier operators need training?
Employers should train operators on the specific vehicle, its controls, rated capacity and the site's traffic rules, following the manufacturer's manual. Burden carriers are industrial trucks, and OSHA's powered industrial truck standard, 29 CFR 1910.178, may apply depending on the vehicle and how it is used. Many employers include them in the same training and evaluation program they use for forklifts. Check with your safety professional for your specific equipment.