Why Are IKEA Carts So Hard To Push?

Have you ever found yourself trying to maneuver an IKEA cart but cannot seem to push it because it feels so tough? Shopping trips can suddenly become a workout session if you are not careful.

IKEA carts are a slightly different breed; let’s talk about how you can get them under control easily.

Read on to learn why IKEA carts are so hard to push and how to make the process a bit easier.

An Insight Into Carts At IKEA

Whether it’s time to haul large flat-packed furniture or stock up on small items, there’s no need to worry. IKEA has thought of it all, with an array of carts and trolleys to suit every shopping experience.

You will come across at least three types of shopping carts at IKEA.

For more oversized items that take up space and could get uncomfortable with a regular cart, an IKEA Cargo trolley will give you ultimate convenience with its foldable flatbed option that ensures it is as easy to store as any other trolley.

If you have only a few light items, the regular shopping cart is perfect — the Asian shopping cart with escalator wheels. But if you need small items, go straight for a lightweight IKEA basket.

All in all, IKEA’s got you covered with different carts.

Design of IKEA Carts

Let’s break down the design of carts at IKEA for better understanding.

Height

Their smartly designed height is ideal for loading and unloading goods without exerting too much effort. Keeping it closer to the ground gives users a more leisurely time while shopping. This thoughtfully tailored height prevents any items from being damaged or falling out of the cart.

Customized Handles

IKEA’s trolley gives you a range of choices to accessorize it according to your needs. Depending on the goods you intend to carry, you can choose from plastic or metal handles for optimal convenience.

Both also have a special coating to ensure preferential grip, allowing you to maneuver them around easily.

Sidebars

The sidebars are adjustable and help you get more support as you navigate the tight entries and exits in the store.

Noiseless Wheels

It is fitted with four noiseless wheels, two at the front and two swivel casters at the rear. They provide smooth, silent movement across uneven surfaces, ensuring that other people barely notice when you pass through them.

Tig Welding

All IKEA carts are made with precision for the safety of all customers. The edges are kept smooth through tig welding, which minimizes any risk of injury.

Foldable and Bed Compact

Flexibility is a crucial design feature and allows for use in many different ways; the bed can be folded flat to provide better space optimization when transporting heavy stock or when not in use.

It also has two optional handles that can help lift the trolley more efficiently and help store it away, taking up as little space as possible.

Wheel Locking and Coating Options

IKEA’s wheel locking mechanism securely holds the wheels in place when parked and in motion, thus encouraging safe navigation along the store’s wide aisles.

As for the coating option, IKEA provides powder-covered steel or zinc-plated finishes on the trolleys to ensure long-lasting durability.

What Makes Them Hard To Push

IKEA carts look like they’d be a breeze to push, but they’re the bane of any shopping trip. The carts at IKEA have no straight-line trajectory with casters on all four wheels, and they skids or slinks with only one direction in their compass: random.

These carts with quad casters make navigation even more complicated on uneven terrains, such as some points in parking lots.

For most consumers, something else comes along with this shopping excursion — hard-to-push carts. Since these carts are always loaded with tons of items, maneuvering in tight corners and zones is quite challenging.

When shoppers head out to their cars via that slope down the parking lot, they risk an unintended movement damaging a nearby vehicle or potentially themselves.

In addition to the design, the carts could also have flaws. The wheels of a shopping cart can become worn or damaged over time, making the cart challenging to push. This can be caused by normal wear and tear or by using the cart on rough or uneven surfaces.

Or if you overload it beyond the limit by putting heavy or bulky items, you’d find it difficult to push. This is especially true if the items are not evenly distributed within the cart, which can cause the cart to tip or become unstable.

Tips for Handling IKEA Carts

With a few nifty tips, you can ensure you have an easier time pushing your IKEA trolley or cart.

Here are some of the best tricks to make your shopping experience smoother:

• Rein in the ‘swiveling ability’ of the rear castors and let them wheel across the store rather than skating. This way, you can get your IKEA haul from point A to point B much more quickly, with less effort and greater precision.
• Position your body to maximize force when pushing; stand close to the cart with your hands on the handle and elbows slightly bent. This will help you get more power with less effort.
• Go slow and steady; don’t get too bold with your IKEA cart, or you may end up in an embarrassing spin. Easy does it.
• Use the brakes to control the trolley better; if you want to turn a corner sharply, brake one wheel and let it roll around the other side.

Final Thoughts

No matter the terrain, a trip to IKEA is always an adventure. The carts may be hard to push but can fit items of any size and shape. However, there are several ways to push an IKEA cart easier, including using the sidebars for additional support or using the brakes when required.

So next time you’re at IKEA, take a moment to appreciate the ingenious design of their carts and trolleys, no matter how hard it may be to push them around.