DeWalt Steel Platform Cart

Why I reached for this cart

Moving sheets, boxes, and awkward supplies between the truck, the shop, and a jobsite with beat-up ground is where a platform cart earns its keep. After a couple weeks using DeWalt’s platform cart across concrete, pavers, compacted dirt, and patchy lawn, I’ve come to trust it for the sort of trips that usually chew up time and energy—or worse, someone’s back.

Assembly and first impressions

Assembly is straightforward, but the order matters. The included instructions are light on nuance, and if you jump straight to mounting the wheels, you make some fasteners harder to access. What worked best for me:

• Set the frame on sawhorses or blocks.
• Loosely assemble the platform to the frame first.
• Mount the axle/wheels and the swivel casters.
• Square everything up, then tighten all hardware.

Doing it this way kept my knuckles intact and cut the build time to under an hour. All holes aligned cleanly, and the hardware quality is appropriately stout for an 800 lb-rated cart. Out of the box, the cart feels reassuringly solid—no odd flex or rattles once everything is torqued down.

Wheels and ground handling

The 8-inch solid polyurethane wheels are the defining feature. They’re puncture-proof and shrug off screws, staples, and debris—exactly what I want on a jobsite. On uneven ground, those larger-diameter wheels roll better than small shop casters and don’t sink as readily into soft spots.

Trade-offs to note:

• On smooth, dusty concrete, PU tires can be a bit skittish under heavy lateral loads compared to pneumatics. It’s not alarming, but you’ll notice slightly longer stopping distances and less “bite.”
• They’re noisier than air-filled tires on hard floors.
• Over coarse gravel or pronounced heaves, the ride still transmits vibration into the load (no mystery there with solid tires), but the 8-inch size helps bridge minor holes and edges.

For most shop and site scenarios where “no flats” beats “soft ride,” these wheels make sense. If you regularly traverse deep gravel or muddy lawns with maximum weight, a pneumatic-tire cart will ride smoother—but at the cost of punctures and upkeep.

Maneuverability and the caster setup

A clever bit here: you can mount the swivel casters at either the front or the rear. That flexibility changes how the cart behaves:

• Swivel casters at the handle end: Tight turning in aisles and easy docking against benches or trucks. My pick for shop work and short hauls.
• Swivel casters at the far end: Better tracking for long pushes across rough ground; the fixed wheels at the handle end let you “steer” like a dolly for more stability.

I tried both, and for sustained outdoor runs with heavier loads (400–700 lbs), swivels at the rear felt more predictable. In a crowded shop, I reversed them for tighter maneuvering.

Steering effort is reasonable for a cart this size. One person can manage a few hundred pounds comfortably; once you’re pushing close to the 800 lb rating or tackling an incline, a second set of hands is wise.

Platform size and load security

The 36 x 24 1/4-inch platform is a practical footprint. It’s big enough for medium tool chests, stackable totes, compressors, boxes of tile, and shorter offcuts, yet compact enough not to monopolize an aisle. The platform sits at a comfortable height for loading, and the 34-inch overall height is a good handle height for both pushing and pulling.

A few notes from use:

• The deck surface is plain steel. For fragile or slick items, I laid down a shop mat offcut to add friction and cushioning. A pre-fitted anti-slip pad would be a nice factory touch, but the DIY fix works.
• With tall stacks, keep the load centered and strap it. I use short ratchet straps or bungees around the load and frame. The cart handles weight well, but like any platform, a top-heavy stack can get away from you on a slope.
• Edges and corners are clean, but if you often haul finished cabinetry, a sacrificial plywood sheet on the deck protects faces and corners.

Performance in real scenarios

• Shop to truck: With swivels at the handle, it’s easy to snake through machines and benches. The cart is narrower than a drywall cart, so getting through standard doors is painless.
• Across a lawn: On dry, moderately firm turf, it did fine with 250–400 lbs. Once the lawn got damp, I planned the path and kept moving to avoid bogging—again, the limits of solid tires.
• Ramps: Pulling up a ramp is more controlled than pushing. I flipped to rear swivels for better tracking, and strapped everything tight so nothing shifted mid-slope.
• Curbs and thresholds: The 8-inch wheels climb shallow lips well; higher curbs still require a second person or a portable ramp.

Durability and maintenance

The frame welds on my unit are clean enough and, more importantly, have held up without hairline cracks or paint flake after knocks and scrapes. The finish has resisted rust despite a couple of rainy-day runs—normal wear on high-contact edges, nothing dramatic. The axles and casters spin freely; a periodic check on fasteners is all I’ve needed.

Solid PU tires eliminate tube and valve maintenance entirely. That’s a big intangible value: no shop time lost to slow leaks or surprise flats.

DeWalt backs it with a 5-year limited warranty, which is notably generous for a cart in this class.

Ergonomics and storage

At roughly 3 by 2 feet and 34 inches tall, the cart’s footprint is manageable, but it doesn’t fold. If space is tight, plan a dedicated parking spot or a wall bracket to tuck it upright. I’d love a folding or removable handle option to make it more storage-friendly. Handle height works well for both taller and shorter users; no awkward stooping.

Noise-wise, expect a bit of rumble on hard floors from the solid tires. If you work in a shared indoor space, that’s something to be mindful of.

What I’d change

• Clearer assembly instructions, with a recommended sequence and torque values, would save beginners some frustration.
• Integrated deck grip or a factory mat would reduce DIY tinkering for slick loads.
• Optional wheel brakes on the swivels would be helpful when loading on slight slopes.
• A stowable or removable handle option would make storage easier in small shops.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re realistic ways to improve the user experience.

Pros

• Puncture-proof 8-inch PU wheels that handle debris and uneven ground well
• Reconfigurable caster layout for either tight turning or better tracking
• Solid, no-flex frame with a genuine-feeling 800 lb capacity
• Compact, practical platform size for shop and jobsite
• Low maintenance; 5-year limited warranty

Cons

• Solid tires have less grip on smooth, dusty concrete and are noisier than pneumatics
• Assembly instructions are sparse; the build order matters
• No folding or removable handle; storage needs a dedicated spot
• No integrated brakes on the swivel casters

The bottom line

I recommend this DeWalt platform cart for anyone who needs a tough, low-maintenance hauler that can bounce between shop floors and rough jobsite paths without fear of flats. Its reconfigurable caster setup gives you control over how it handles, the 800 lb rating feels honest in use, and the 36 x 24 1/4-inch deck hits a sweet spot for everyday loads.

If your work involves maximum weights over deep gravel or soft, wet lawns, a pneumatic-tire cart will ride smoother. And if storage space is at a premium, the fixed frame may be a hassle. But for most builders, remodelers, and serious DIYers who value reliability, simple upkeep, and versatility, this cart is a smart, durable choice that earns its floor space.