My Review of the SysRoll Cart

[Frank Pellow]

(part 1 of 3)

SysRoll 100 Cart - Early Impressions:

A SysRoll arrived on my doorstep early this week and I have been putting it through its paces since then.  Festool provided the cart on loan to me and our agreement is that I will eventually use it to find out if the cart is rugged enough to transport tools to and around Pellow’s Island.  But, that will have to wait until the ice goes out on the lake.  

In the meantime, I have been subjecting the cart to local Toronto ruggedness.  Unlike many carts, the SysRoll is not foldable.  This means that the cart arrived in a very large box:

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All the parts are quite durable and I think that they will stand up well.

The small parts are in the drawer that located just below the platform.  Here is a another photo of those parts:

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There was a slight problem in that two of the six required washers were missing.  But I have a good supply of spare washers and found two of the correct size.  Assembly was easy and fast.  It took me about 10 minutes to complete the job (and that included the time that I spent looking for the two washers).

The drawer is almost, but quite, the same size as a systainer 1.  The plastic in it is not quite as thick, but I expect that it is strong enough.  It can be removed and it can be locked shut.    I wondered just what to do with the drawer.  Just what can it hold?

It can hold one mini-systainer with lots of room left over:

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It can hold one of the drawers out of a racktainer:

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It would be possible to cut a little bit off the sides of a tool insert for T-loc systainer-1and then fit it into the drawer:

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I didn’t actually cut the insert down, but I know that I could.

Several of the small bins used with the systainer-1 small parts box:

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The fit is a bit loose, but I think that it is good enough to keep everything in place.

In the end, I decided to use the drawer to hold a first aid kit that I have in a mini-systainer, together with a bungee cord and some work gloves:

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[Frank Pellow]

(part 2 of 3)

Now, to load on some systainers.  There are indents in the platform to accommodate the protrusions in the bottom of a systainer and to help secure the load.

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I only own three T-loc systainers, so that is what I started with:

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Notice the strap around the top systainer.  The strap slides up and down the grooves in the handles and secures the load quite well.  It can be both uncoupled and tightened.

Well that load wasn’t very challenging.  Let’s really load the thing up:

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The load consists of:
• a systainer-5
• a systainer-2
• two systainer-1s
• a systainer-toolbox
• a collapsible sawhorse
• a 1400 mm guide rail
• a four foot level

The load weighs 52 kilos and the SysRoll with filled drawer weighs 10 kilos for a total of 62 kilos or about 125 pounds.  That’s about half the maximum advocated load.  But, I doubt that I will need to use the SysRoll with any heavier loads.

The first thing that I noticed was just how steady and manoeuvrable the SysRoll is on its four wheels.  The cart could be rotated almost in place using very little pressure.

One of the items on my load is a guide rail.  I saw a video on the internet where a guy cut the small support piece:

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out of the recess at the side of the platform so that a guide rail could fit in.  I am reluctant to do that.  I simply set the guide rail on top of this recess and strapped it on.  I subsequently subjected the load to some vigorous treatment and the guide rail remained in place.

Notice that there is a space behind the systainer stack and in front of the handles where I placed my level.  This space also allows one top open the systainer that is at the top of the stack allowing the contents to be accessed while the systainer remains on the SysRoll:

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I guess that I had better haul the SysRoll up the stairs:

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I didn’t rush things or strain at all and it took me just under a minute to move the loaded cart up the stairs (14 of them).  Coming down took just over half a minute.  The two green “slide strips” on the near the bottom on the back of the SysRoll protected the stairs during these operations and the cart almost seemed to slide up and down them.  I expect that these will wear in time –but new ones can easily be installed.

Although the load did not shift at all while I was going up and down the stairs, I would feel better if it were held in place with two straps.  I will endeavour to purchase a second strap as soon as possible.  I guess that a bungee cord would do, but I really like the Festool straps.

 

[Frank Pellow]

(part 3 of 3)

It was easier to move the cart over solid rough terrain on two wheels than I expected it to be:

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But, as expected, it was quite difficult (but still possible) to move the cart over rough loose ground:

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Just for the heck of it, I strapped the SysRoll to my dolly that has proper tires and the combination was easy to move:

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While I would certainly like such tires on the SysRoll while moving it around over rough terrain, I can see that this is not the normal environment where the SysRoll will be used by most people.  The “plastic” tires that  it does come with seem the be well made and I expect them to last a long time.  Also, the set of four tires works very well when on a hard flat surface and I expect that the cart would lose some of its great manoeuvrability if the larger pair of tires were to be replaced with pneumatic ones.

The next thing I did was to test the brakes that can be set on the two small wheels.  They held very well on this 15 degree slope:

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OK, so that was a contrived load.  But, I have already used the SysRoll with a couple real loads on a couple of real off-site jobs.  Here is one such load first about to be placed into my Subaru Forrester and then in place in the vehicle:

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I found it very easy to lift the SysRoll and then to slide it wheels first into the vehicle.  It was equally easy to remove the loaded cart at the job site.

After I have used the loaner cart for three or four months and under much more rugged conditions, I will write a follow-up review. But, based on my limited experience to date, I can recommend the SysRoll and I expect to purchase (at least) one.  

 

[rnt80]

Thanks Frank for an insightful review that points out the strengths and weaknesses of the product.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm glad you got this out Frank because I still undecided.  I think your opinions may help me make up my mind one way or the other.  I have a question regarding storing the Sysroll laying down in the back of your car.  Do you find the tools and other contents get displaced and if so, is it a problem?  I don't think I really need to travel with cart laying down since I have an open pickup.  I do think it might be a little easier that way.

Here are some general concerns I have with the functional practicality of this cart.  For the most part I find carts or other wheeled tools to be more practical in theory than practice.  For example, I'd rather carry the Kapex and my Sawhelper folding stand than something like the UG cart.  My thoughts are the cart adds unwanted bulk when storing and trying to maneuver through smaller doorways, stairs or any tight spaces.  Sure it's nice to wheel a tool instead of carrying it.  However, there is the inevitable obstacle that requires lifting.  Sometimes it is easier to lift a cart a few times up curbs and up/down stairs than carrying the tools, but not always.

Your example of going up a flight of stairs in about a minute highlights one of my biggest reservations.  I'd be able to go up a flight of stairs way fast carrying than using the cart.  Another concern I have with stairs is that I'm not sure if it would always go over well my dragging a cart up/down several flights of my clients grand oak staircase.  I don't know if there would be any damage, probably not but it could give an impression that I don't are if I damage their house in the name of doing the job.  My neighbors might not like hearing the bang, bang, bang as I take the cart down the front stairs at my house at 6:30 in the morning.  Also, it seems the SysRoll can carry about the same number of Systainers that I can per trip.  So I won't be able to move a lot more at one time with the cart.     

So the million dollar question, is it easier to carry 5-6 Systainers and keep the $175 in my pocket or wheel them on the SysRoll?  No one can answer that for me, still, any feedback you (or anyone else) can give me is much appreciated.                     

 

[LostInTheWood]

Great initial review Frank.  Can't wait to see what's next.    Ahhh.....you beat me to it Brice.    The cart is nice for what it does, but I also see it faster just grabbing the systainers and running up the stairs.  For me my concerns would be in volume.  The cart can carry only so many systainers until they become so high that it's too cumbersome to use the handle.  I tend to find it more convenient to use the sys dolly attachment on a few stacks of systainers.  I have an open pickup as well and this cart seems like a good idea, but again, how many systainers can I put on it and still maintain the carts intended convenience.  For the moment I'd rather buy another sys dolly and a few more systainers. 

 

[Tinker]

Brice,
The ease of hauling a heavy load up/down stairs wood be in the eyes (or back) of the beloader.
When I was your age, I hauled many a heavy load up a strong ladder. That was before I was 39.
Now that i am 39 (for more years than i wasn't), I don't even want to think of rolling such loads up even a slight incline.
When i have to move something heavy today, i just get on the phone and call my son, or soon, my grandson.

BTW: Frank, that was a great review.  I do agree with Brice about sliding the load up and down stairs.
My cellar stairs would be fine.  I have worked in some more expensive homes where I would have the same concerns about damage.
all it takes is one little ding that could be avoided by lifting and carrying is enough to sour a relationship and put the skids to future recommendations.
I have been leery of that problem from the start.  All the rest looks fine >>> or even great.
Tinker

 

[kev carpenter]

got mine last week and its great and remember you can load systainers above handle height so can take 5 plus tools at a time and probably carry the hoover at same time and i also bought big and small sys tool box and got rid of my stanly tote bag, now i have a real system to work by, and now have a smaller van from long wheelbase semi high transit to vw transporter swb low roof  [big grin]

 

[Frank Pellow]

This post is in answer to some questions raised by Brice.

I found that the loaded SsyRoll worked well in my car and, even though the systainers were on their sides, all the systainer contents seemed to be in proper order at the job site.  By the way, as the photo showing the generator also packed in the car might have implied, the job site was off the grid.  The last kilometre or so was over a bumpy dirt road.

I guess I was not giving a fair example when I said that it took me about a minute to get the SysRoll up the stairs.  That was a heavy and unusual load and it was the first time that I took the SysRoll up any stairs.  I just finished experimenting with what could be considered a more normal load and went up and down the stairs five times:

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The average accent took 26 seconds and the average decent took 18.

I would not be concerned about damaging a "grand oak staircase".  Our oak staircase certainly is not grand, but it has been well maintained, and I can detect not trace of the SysRoll.

 

[vwdave]

Nice job on the review Frank and with all the pics.  I'm excited to see how the sysroll does on the rocky terrain of pellow island.

I was doing a kitchen install in NYC and the sysroll was really handy, I had it loaded to the max.  I also bought one of those collapsible hand carts too. The collapsible cart was nice on the streets but when it came time for the stairs and tight hallways it wasn't as easy as the sysroll was to maneuver.  The sysroll does make carrying tools around easier and if you are an installer and use the same tools almost all the time, the sysroll is perfect for you.

Dave

 

[WPeters]

Great Review!  Mine should be coming this week.....we have a ramp and slide out steps on our install truck....I should have checked this before now but I'm a little concerned that the sysroll will not fit up the steps as they are narrow.  Does anyone know the width of the unit?  Thanks!

 

[Brice Burrell]

This post is in answer to some questions raised by Brice.....

Frank, thanks for taking the time to address some of my concerns, I appreciate it. [thumbs up]

 

[Frank Pellow]

Great Review!  Mine should be coming this week.....we have a ramp and slide out steps on our install truck....I should have checked this before now but I'm a little concerned that the sysroll will not fit up the steps as they are narrow.  Does anyone know the width of the unit?   Thanks!

Thanks, I am enjoying testing the cart and writing the reviews.

It's 59 centimetres (or just over 23 inches) wide.

 

[Vi_k]

I wonder how this thing will handle snow, ice and/or other winter crud?  ???

Have a good one,

Vi_k

 

[AlexThePalex]

I wonder how this thing will handle snow, ice and/or other winter crud?   ???

It's good as long as you install the accessory snow chains.  [wink]

 

[Tinker]

I wonder how this thing will handle snow, ice and/or other winter crud?   ???

It's good as long as you install the accessory snow chains.  [wink]

you could mount a small snowblower.  :

 

[Frank Pellow]

I wonder how this thing will handle snow, ice and/or other winter crud?   ???

Have a good one,

Vi_k

Good question.

If I had received the SysRoll a week before I did, I could have found out because we still had some snow on the ground.  But, spring now appears to be firmly entrenched here.

 

[Tinker]

Frank,
thanks for further explanation and for that last pic where you are dragging the wheeled stack up the stairs.  i can see (as i already knew) that you have just turned 39.  You have learned a few of the tricks to save your back when moving heavy loads. You and i use our knees, thighs and lower parts of those extremities to take a bit of the strain from our backs.  For youngsters like Brice, it is probably a lot quicker to just grab a pile of systainers and plow on up the stairs or hill as if the load is nothing.  I think you, and i know I was the same, in days long gone just grabbed, lifted and walked away.

On one of those "long gone days", i was working on a stone wall out in front of my house.  i was lifting and placing some rather large rocks when a neighbor stopped by to observe my efforts.  After a short conversation, he said, "That work sure keeps you healthy."  My reply was, "Yeah, it sure does.  It keeps me healthy, bent over and my chiropractor rich." That sysroller should help to keep a few $$$ out of chiropractors pockets, i am sure.
Tinker

 

[Brice Burrell]

Frank,
thanks for further explanation and for that last pic where you are dragging the wheeled stack up the stairs.  i can see (as i already knew) that you have just turned 39.  You have learned a few of the tricks to save your back when moving heavy loads. You and i use our knees, thighs and lower parts of those extremities to take a bit of the strain from our backs.  For youngsters like Brice, it is probably a lot quicker to just grab a pile of systainers and plow on up the stairs or hill as if the load is nothing.  I think you, and i know I was the same, in days long gone just grabbed, lifted and walked away......

Tinker

Tinker, I'm not as young as you think, as of this year I'm older than you. [tongue]

 

[Brice Burrell]

I don't remember if it has been mentioned whether or not the Sysroll is considered a tool or accessory?  I'd like to know if the 30 return policy is available on it or not.