Burden Carriers
Electric burden carriers · Built for plant and warehouse floors
Burden carriers that stop your people from walking the load
Burden carriers are non-lift electric vehicles built to move parts, tools, materials, and people across a facility faster than walking and without tying up a forklift. Ours carries 350 lb at 15 mph on a 48V swappable battery, so it runs all three shifts instead of sitting on a charger.
What a burden carrier actually is
A burden carrier is a powered industrial vehicle designed for horizontal transport, not lifting. Where a forklift exists to raise and place pallets, burden carriers exist to close distance — hauling a 40 lb bin of parts 900 feet from receiving to line 4, or getting a maintenance tech and their tools across a plant in two minutes instead of twelve.
The category overlaps with a few names you may already search for. Stock chasers are burden carriers optimized for order picking. Tuggers pull carts behind them rather than carrying on a deck. Personnel carriers prioritize seating over cargo. All of them solve the same underlying problem: facilities are large, and walking is the most expensive way to cross one.
Specifications
- Payload capacity350 lb
- Deck sizes35"×35" / 20"×20"
- Motor500 W
- Battery48 V swappable
- Runtime3–5 hr
- Top speed15 mph
- TurningZero degree
- FrameAluminum
How to size a burden carrier for your facility
Start with the longest trip, not the heaviest load
Most buyers over-index on capacity. In practice, the trips that justify a burden carrier are long and light — a tool crib run, a parts delivery, a QC sample walk. If your typical load is under 350 lb and your typical trip is over 300 feet, capacity is not your constraint. Distance and shift coverage are.
Count shifts before you count units
A carrier running 3–5 hours per charge covers one shift comfortably. Running two or three shifts means either downtime on a charger or a second battery. The swappable 48V pack is what makes multi-shift operation possible without buying a second vehicle.
Match the deck to the container, not the cargo
The 35"×35" deck fits standard totes and small pallets. The 20"×20" deck keeps the footprint tight for narrow aisles and congested production floors. Measure the container you actually move, not the heaviest thing you can imagine putting on it.
Burden carriers compared to the alternatives
| Method | Speed | Aisle needed | Operator training | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | 3 mph | None | None | Under 100 ft, hands free |
| Manual cart | 2–3 mph | Narrow | None | Short hauls, light loads |
| Forklift | 8 mph | 12 ft+ | Lift-truck certification | Pallets and heavy lifts |
| Golf cart | 12 mph | 10 ft+ | Site orientation | Outdoor yard travel |
| Burden carrier | 15 mph | Aisle width | Site orientation | Parts, tools, and people, all shift |
Where burden carriers earn their keep
Common questions
What training do operators need?
Powered industrial truck training requirements depend on the vehicle class and on your facility's own policy, which often goes beyond the federal minimum. Confirm the specific requirement with your safety manager before deployment.
Can it run indoors and outdoors?
Yes. Electric drive means no exhaust, so indoor operation is unrestricted, and the aluminum frame handles yard and dock apron travel between buildings.
How long does the battery last on a charge?
Three to five hours depending on load, grade, and duty cycle. The pack is swappable, so a spare battery converts a one-shift vehicle into a three-shift vehicle.
What is the difference between a burden carrier and a stock chaser?
They are the same class of vehicle with different emphasis. Stock chasers are configured for order picking, usually with shelving or bins. Burden carriers are the broader category and cover general material and personnel transport.
Request a quote
Deck size, battery count, and attachments depend on what you are moving and how far. Send the basics below and we will come back with a configured quote.