A new Klein Tools ModBox utility cart, model 54831MB, quietly launched at online retailers this week.
The Klein ModBox work cart features a 500 lb load capacity, 6″ rubber wheels, 2 cup holders, compartments near the pull handle for small tools, parts, and personal gear, holes in the legs for mounting wire spool holders, and separate notches for marking and cutting conduit and 2×4 wood boards.
The side rails are compatible with ModBox tool pouches and accessories.
Advertisement
It looks a lot like an ordinary utility cart, but Klein added a slew of features that turn it into an electrician’s work cart.
For example, the cart is 39″ tall, to provide for “the ideal jobsite worksurface,” and the caster wheels are also larger for easier mobility over tough terrain.
There’s also of course the ModBox rail, for attaching tools, pouches, and other ModBox rail-compatible products.
Price: $199
Discussion
We’ve seen different tool cart solutions before.
Milwaukee launched a tool cart with drawers in 2019.
Advertisement
Industrial supplier Zoro (a Grainger company) created a modified Packout-compatible cart, but it was more of a transport solution than a working cart.
Dewalt ToughSystem DXL is a new modular workstation.
This is not what I would have visualized a Klein Tools ModBox utility cart might look like. But, it does seem well thought out and suited for electricians’ needs.
It’s not alone in that regard – here is a Suncast 37″ x 18″ utility cart, model PUCHD1937 (buy it at Acme Tools), which is also priced at $199. They have another version without the attachable bins for a little less.
Suncast – and I’m sure other brands – have add-ons and enhancements, such as lockable panels for security.
Southwire has utility carts with electrician-targeted attachments.
All this is to say that Klein’s ModBox cart is not unique or revolutionary, but it does seem like an interesting and potentially useful expansion of the ModBox modular tool box and accessory lineup.
Hopefully this is just the start. One could load this cart with Klein ModBox drawer tool boxes and organizers, but maybe we’ll see tool box integration or compatibility in the future.
Actually, I like the strategy; this is just a utility cart with ModBox side rails and electrician-friendly enhancements, rather than tool box integration that would lock users into the ModBox platform. I think this could add to its appeal.
Jared
This looks pretty good. I like the same thing about you mentioned – that it’s got some modbox accessory compatibility without being a product you can ONLY use with modbox. The extra height should be nice too.
Supposing it is competitive with Rubbermaid Commercial carts, the price isn’t even that offensive. The weight capacity seems promising.
MM
Agreed all around, this seems like a nice cart. It’s nice to see more competition for the Rubbermaid commercial carts, and it’s especially nice that this one is useful even without other modbox products, yet is also compatible with them. I don’t have any interest in modbox generally speaking but if I needed another workshop cart I’d look hard at this one.
Saulac
They may not look as nice as a stack of modular storages, but they can pack much more stuff in many different ways. I work at an aerospace OEM and we always have various mechanical contractors on site. They are all commercial/high end contractors. All of them use carts like these. Have not seen a single modular storage yet.
Jim
It looks like Klein was paying attention to all of the modified Rubbermaid utility carts that are in every plant I’ve ever been in.
Good on them. In my experience the plastic cart is a better choice of material as well. In every shop I’ve ever worked in the metal carts are bent after being subjected to rough use (abuse). The Rubbermaid plastics have the best longevity of any work cart I’ve used, even though they are abused the same way.
It appears to me that Klein is on the right track
JR Ramos
Not sure about the wheels but they’re at least a step up from what’s usually on the Rubbermaid carts (which are durable but bend a bit too easily under heavier loads or when people can’t steer correctly and scoot the cart sideways on the rigid end). I like the 2×4 notch…not using a cart anymore but I would totally add that myself. Changing casters on these is sometimes easy and sometimes a waste of effort…hopefully they made it accept standard plate hole spacings if someone wants to upgrade or replace in the future.
We’ll have to see if ModBox continues to exist as a line…probably will be many months until there’s movement of interest in that patent suit.
Nathan
I like the added height. Seems a good idea
Lynyrd
I like it, but now wait for Milwaukee to introduce an unannounced upgrade or full replacements of this cart and tool boxes leading to Christmas, all more geared around the most successful modular storage system ever.
Farkleberry
Not sure Milwaukee Packout can offer much of this does.
The corner brackets on Pack out are useful for securing the boxes themselves, but attaching things to them requires some sort of clamp on adapter.
Toughbuilt and Klein have created very useful corner brackets.
I’m not sure of historical precedents in the tool or other industries, but these systems remind me of how the firearm industry copied adjustable shelf bracket systems to create “Keylock” in order to hang accessories off rifle forends. Then Magpul streamlined the idea with “MLOK”, which is now the standard.
In the same vein, I wouldn’t be surprised if Toughbuilt and then Klein were inspired by quick detach holster systems. Having a belt mounted interface that can rapidly load and unload various pouches or other accessories is very quick and flexible.
Incorporating this design into mobile storage was perhaps the driving force or golden opportunity for Stacktech, and obviously inspired Modbox.
Does Milwaukee have such a quick detach belt mounted pouch/accessory system?
Incidentally, I much prefer things I’m carrying on my body to ride as closely and securely as possible. The quick detach systems sure are quick, but they ride a significant distance further from your body, and only have a single point of attachment. This means they and end up moving around more and always seem in the way – bumping into things and your arms.
I would much rather have pouches (or holsters for that matter) that fit tightly to your waist and have widely spaced belt supports. Stiff metal clips are quite popular for holsters and could work with tool pouches too. If 2 different belt pouch setups are needed, I’d rather have 2 belts set up that can be hung when not in use. They can hung from any hook which can be DIY mounted to any cart, even that metal Milwaukee which looks pretty handy.
Farkleberry
I like that bottom open drawer/sliding shelf on the Milwaukee cart, can’t recall seeing a cart like to that.
Perhaps inspired by contemporary kitchen cabinet design.
Stuart
Milwaukee managers spend a lot of time doing field research, talking to and watching pros.
That’s where at least some of their product features and design decisions come from.
Farkleberry
Nothing wrong with being inspired, consciously or otherwise.
Whether it’s managers, inventors/designers or eventual pro users who say “couldn’t we adapt this to our product?”
Innovation is both generative and iterative, requiring waves of evolution, and quite often cross pollination from other fields.
No caveman was ever going to invent an IPhone.
Saulac
The discussion on integrating features of cart and modular storage systems is interesting. In that regard, a potential new modular “unit” is the “frame” which basically is the existing crate but with no side walls. Such frames offer what open carts offer: easy access, over size stuff can stick out…,
Jim Felt
We’ve used Rubbermaid industrial carts as lens/accessory/prop carrying means on in-studio shoots for decades. Quiet. Sturdy. East to clean.
Though personally I use MetroWire roll around carts because they can be so easily customized and don’t collect dust.
ElectroAtletico
For that extra height Klein should’ve used the opportunity to provide an optional additional shelf to the user.
LGonToolGuy'd
> 54831MB
Wonder if that is the file size of the CAD model. 😅