Are there really any set dimensions for a cart? Like, what I’m going for is a basic robot carrier, since it’s my first year and I don’t wanna do anything too complicated. 
I was thinking the platform to be the max robot dimensions, but with ten inches on each side, so there would be an ideal 5 inches around it. But, looking at all of these carts, that seems way too small! :?
If it can’t fit through a standard doorway, it’s as good as useless–you may need to get through that at a demo, or to leave the classroom/build area. Now, your standard 28x38 robot with a full set of 2.5" thick bumpers will go through that at 33" (with about 3" to spare, IIRC). So you may actually be too big if you go 5" on each side.
Your best bet would be a platform just about the size of the robot with bumpers on (note: include a lip to keep stuff from coming off, and rails to put the robot wheels off the platform, or chocks so the robot doesn’t move) with a storage area below for batteries and quick-fix tools. Doesn’t have to be terribly high, or terribly complicated.
Just to note, our cart is EXTREMELY heavy. We also have a brake at the back end to keep us from moving. A switch can be turned on that activates a “horn/beep” to warn people that we are approaching…and there are lights that we are in the process of trying to fix.
eStop Robotics introduced the Competition Cart for the 2012 FRC season. The cart is intended to be a universal solution that will serve teams for a lifetime of competitions.
The Competition Cart was designed based on years of FRC competition experience. The cart is lightweight, yet extremely strong, and is easy to assemble and disassemble.
The Competition Cart is intended to be both a pit service and transport cart capable of carrying a full size FRC robot with bumpers along with two FRC KOP plastics crates below the robot. The cart offers 6" of ground clearance to easily navigate over electrical cableways and other obstacles often found at event venues.
Remember, the cart is heavy to help keep members on their toes. We usually have a programmer push it along for some experience in “hardware”. 
The storage compartments in the cart allow for batteries, tools, and other maintenance utilities.
How might that give me experience in “hardware” again? ::ouch:: ::ouch:: 
haha.
Back on topic: The cart is heavy indeed. Pushing it around (even short distances) can prove to be quite strenuous.
Motorized Carts anybody?
Heavy, but also very robust… sort of like a tank.
It was a joy to push around in Atlanta for Championships… :o About 300lbs of Buzzstuff. Last year in St. Louis was exponentially easier without the up and downhill slopes.
We’ve had our tank for about a decade. The discussion of motorizing the cart is always brought up… but before a decision is made Kickoff comes and then it’s Build. Maybe this year will be different. :rolleyes:
I was the pit manager last year. We built custom made carts ancered in dimond plate. One cart was 4 drawer long shallow, and the other was 4short deep drawer. We stored all the things in it. It was at counter level. The thing we need to fix is the Drawer glides. You need some hevy duty glides. We charged all the bateries and all the power tools in the short deep drawer. The one charging the batteries needs ventlation.
"How might that give me experience in “hardware” again?
haha.
Back on topic: The cart is heavy indeed. Pushing it around (even short distances) can prove to be quite strenuous."
define hard, it is more work to lift the bot off the cart and into position on the field then actually push the cart…
Talk wheels to me, forum.
I wanted to use pneumatic ones, but our overseer leader guy has concerns about their size and weight. So, now I am stuck into using KOP plaction wheels, and am told that this will not be much of a problem, as we will be mostly on carpet and linoleum. What about turning though? Standard tankish way? Should they swivel?
Attaching them as well, any suggestions for that?
Hehe, there I go thinking out type. But seriously, any help or input or anything would be greatly appreciated!
Im sure there are pictures on their website, but i love the one that technical difficulties have. YOU CAN RIDE IT! 
I don’t know if your leader has been to a normal competition. For a cart, you can expect concrete or gym floors (depending on venue), not carpet (as only the field area and practice field can be expected to have carpet). You can also expect to go over at least one cable run via its ramped cover.
Again for a cart (you could be asking about either cart or robot–your post is kind of unclear), I would make one end swivel and one end not. Maneuvering is a tad easier that way.
If you’re asking about robot, that’s a whole 'nother ball game.
I’m confused, how does this provide access to the bottom of the robot?
A scissor lift allows the robot to be lifted to a height where the bottom of the robot is easily accessible. The cart holds the robot up by its frame so wheels/chains can be changed easily.
Oh he has, it was just a general statement, sorry for the confusion. :L My concern comes from the jostling that may occur when going over those cables with said plaction wheels. (these things: http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt147/Rydia9/Picture0077.jpg )
I’m asking about cart wheels, sorry if that wasn’t clear. ^^; So…swivel, as in chair wheels sort of?
I am not :L
It looks to me like there’s a platform under the robot. Am i just not looking at the picture correctly?
Our team has a cart with a main box base. On top of that is a 4 jack system. The jacks can slide left to right and forwards and backwards. This allows for any size frame in the normal frame requirements. The jacks have U-brackets on them that fit around our frame. They fit snug enough that when we lock down the jacks the cart can tip several degrees without any slip.
No, you are not incorrect. There is a platform under the robot.
So then how would lifting it up provide access to the bottom of the robot if there is still a full platform under it??