A new collection of Crescent industrial utility carts and modular add-ons and accessories popped up online, and it seemed interesting enough to take a closer look.
To start, none of these products are priced for home or personal use; Crescent describes these as industrial utility carts, and the prices are definitely aligned with that.
One of the new carts features 8″ casters, HDPE structural foam shelves each with a load capacity of 250 lbs, V-notch for securing pipes and round materials for cutting operations, and an adjustable handle with 3 locking position.
There’s a more economical version with smaller casters.
The first add-on I saw was this angled workstation, made from “18+ gauge” powder coated steel.
This mesh security panel, which wraps around the utility cart, features a center shelf and Site-Vault locking mechanism with recessed lock housing.
There’s also a non-mesh solid sheet metal version.
Described as “a groundbreaking innovation for industrial utility carts,” the Crescent electrician’s corner posts “elevates wire spools to the top shelf.”
This helps to reduce bending and frees up the bottom shelf for other tools and materials storage.
Crescent says:
Transform your utility cart into a mobile electrical workshop and experience the difference!
PVC shelf liners can be added to help protect the cart from scratches, stains, and spills. Crescent says they can be cut or trimmed to fit if needed.
Pricing
- Cart with 8″ Casters (IUC2S8CBM) – $450
- Cart with Hard Casters (IUC2SCBM) – $240
- Angled Workstation (IUCPWCRM) – $300
- Mesh Security Panel (IUC1DMPLCRM) – $440
- Security Panel (IUC1DLCRM) – $330
- Electrician’s Corner Posts (IUCRCPCRM) – $100
- Shelf Liners (IUCSL20CBM) – $200
COO: Made in USA with Global Components
Discussion
Yes, it’s pricey for home users, but not out of line for commercial or industrial use.
We’re seeing an increased focus in industrial carts. Klein launched a ModBox work cart, and Dewalt launched their ToughSystem DXL modular workstation.
Crescent looks to be taking on Knaack’s mobile cart solutions at lower price points. Knaack has an “armored transport mobile cart” with security panels for $799 at Acme Tools.
If you combine Crescent’s cart with 8″ wheels and solid security panels, that comes out to $780, which is just under the price of the Knaack. The Knaack has a higher payload rating, but the Crescent cart seems a little better featured.
Milwaukee launched a tool cart nearly 6 years ago, and it’s still available (Home Depot has it for $503). I’ve been expecting to see a revised model with greater Packout compatibility, especially now that they have workshop storage products and tool box rail attachment accessories.
Crescent’s new industrial utility cart system seems limited but perhaps full of potential.
I also found it interesting that the carts and accessories only carry Crescent branding, rather than Jobox. Many Jobox products – cabinets, chests, field boxes, and similar – now carry Crescent Jobox labeling, but the new carts are only “Crescent.”
Jobox and Knaack are competitors, and the new Crescent carts – most notably the security enclosures – compete with Knaack. That these are Crescent and not Crescent Jobox products is noteworthy, although I’m not certain of the implications.
At the least, this seems like a noteworthy expansion of Crescent’s focus beyond tool bags for tradespersons and into industrial mobile storage solutions.
