You have just received your Fortemo strapping dispenser cart and want to make it your warehouse's mobile strapping station from the very first shift. This guide covers how to set it up, how to load the coil without jams, how to organize the equipment on the tray, what accessories complement it, and how to maintain it for professional operation. If your unit is the 203 mm version or the adaptable 203/406 mm version, this guide applies to both, with specific notes where the procedure changes.

Manual Strapping Tools

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Product Specifications

The cart is available in two variants depending on the core diameter of the coils you will be using. Locate your variant by the SKU on the delivery note or product, and consult its details in the table below.

Specification 203 mm (8 in) 203 mm + 406 mm (Adaptable)
SKU 534567 324527
Manufacturer Fortemo Fortemo
Core compatibility Coils with 203 mm (8 in) core Coils with 203 mm (8 in) and 406 mm (16 in) core
Structure Reinforced steel Reinforced steel
Brake mechanism Yes, integrated Yes, integrated
Tool tray Yes, integrated Yes, integrated
Wheels Industrial-grade Industrial-grade

Step-by-step usage guide

The cart is designed so that the coil travels with you to the pallet, not the other way around. Here are the steps to set it up and start strapping:

1

Inspect the cart upon receipt

Check that the structure has no dents on the side disk or visible bends in the central tube, that the wheels turn freely, and that the brake mechanism responds when activated. A 30-second inspection when unpacking avoids carrying factory defects into the first shift.

2

Load the coil onto the mandrel

Lift the coil with both hands and slide it onto the central mandrel until it rests on the base of the disk. The coil should rotate freely without rubbing against the base or the sides of the cart. Make sure the free end of the strapping faces forward, accessible for pulling.

📌 Note based on your variant
  • If you have the 203 mm variant: Your cart directly accepts coils with a 203 mm core. Load the coil onto the mandrel without further adjustments.
  • If you have the adaptable 203/406 mm variant: Check the adapter's configuration before loading. For a 406 mm industrial coil, the adapter should be installed in the 16-inch position; for a standard 203 mm coil, remove it or set it to the 8-inch position as indicated in the product manual.
3

Adjust the coil brake

Engage the brake mechanism with just the right tension: enough for the coil to stop as soon as you stop pulling the strapping, but not so much that it's difficult to start unrolling. A brake that is too loose will cause the coil to spin by inertia and tangle meters of strapping on the floor; too tight will require jerking motions that tire the operator.

4

Organize the equipment on the tray

Place the tensioner, crimper, box of metal seals, and cutter on the top tray. Centralize everything you will use there so you don't have to return to the workbench between pallets. Reserve a secure space for the seals: if they fall to the floor, they get lost and dirty.

💡 Dodom Expert Tip:

Always position the cart with the strapping exit side facing the pallet, not perpendicular. This reduces torsion on the coil when pulling and allows the strapping to come out straight, preventing the roll edge from deforming shift after shift. It's a detail that extends the life of the coil and improves the quality of palletizing.

5

Unroll, strap, and move to the next pallet

Pull the strapping with a firm motion until you have the necessary length to go around the load. The brake will stop the coil when you stop pulling. Complete the strapping (tension, seal, cut) and, when finished, move the cart to the next pallet without needing to manually load the coil.

Doubts about which coils are compatible with your cart?

If you are unsure about the core diameter of your coil or which cart variant is best for your type of operation, consult Dodom's virtual assistant. It will guide you in seconds on the correct combination of cart and coil for your palletizing workflow.

Complementary products

The cart centralizes the equipment, but complete strapping requires consumables and sealing tools. These are the products that naturally accompany it:

PP and PET strapping coils are the consumables loaded by the dispenser; standard coils use a 203 mm core (compatible with both variants), while 406 mm industrial coils only fit into the adaptable trolley. The manual PP strap tensioner is the tensioning tool that travels in the trolley's tray; if working with PET, replace it with the specific PET tensioner. The battery-powered strapping tool is the motorized alternative when the daily pallet volume increases and manual operation is not enough.

Maintenance and care

The trolley is a structure plus mechanism. The critical points for its lifespan are the wheels, the brake mechanism, and the core base. Apply these guidelines:

  1. After each shift, remove cut strap debris and dust from the central core and the disc base; accumulated residue interferes with the free rotation of the coil.
  2. Every two weeks of intensive use, lubricate the wheels with a drop of light oil on the axle. Jammed wheels require effort to push and, over time, strain the structure.
  3. Inspect the brake mechanism monthly: the tension should continue to respond to actuation without jamming or completely releasing the coil. If it loses fluidity, lubricate the contact point.
  4. Store the trolley in a dry place and, if used outdoors in humid or saline environments, dry it before storing. Surface oxidation on the structure is slow, but it appears quickly in the brake mechanism.
  5. Do not use the trolley as a support to stack other heavy loads on top when it is without a coil: the tray is dimensioned for light tools and consumables, not to support structural weight.
⚠️ Common mistake to avoid:

Do not force a 406 mm core coil onto the 203 mm variant: it neither fits correctly nor is the brake mechanism calibrated for that diameter. If you regularly work with large industrial coils, use the adaptable variant. Forcing the fit deforms the central core and irreversibly ruins the trolley.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the adaptable variant also work with small 203 mm coils?

Yes. The adaptable 203/406 mm variant is compatible with both core diameters; simply configure the adapter to the correct position before loading the coil. If your warehouse alternates between standard and industrial coils, this variant gives you flexibility without needing to buy two trolleys.

Can I load the battery-powered strapping tool onto the trolley's tray?

Yes. The tool tray is dimensioned to support the manual tensioner and crimper or, alternatively, the battery-powered strapping tool with its charger. If you work with a motorized system, the trolley still serves as a mobile station to carry the coil and the strapping tool to the pallet.

Do I need the trolley if I only strap 5-10 pallets a day?

For low volume, a fixed station with the coil on a stand or a simple support may suffice. The trolley starts to pay off when pallets are in different areas of the warehouse and moving the coil (which weighs between 15 and 25 kg) becomes a repetitive task. In operations with a continuous flow of dispersed pallets, the trolley considerably reduces the operator's physical strain.