Data Center Material Handling Solutions for Cable Reels

If you’re planning on new construction, electrical installation is certainly an important part of the arithmetic. That means that cable spools and reels need appropriate material handling equipment (MHE) designed for the task at hand.

But if you’re building a data center, material handling solutions are even more important.  Data centers consume roughly 4% of total electricity in the United States, and AI infrastructure is expanding rapidly — which translates to a lot of cable in greenfield installations, including feeder cables alongside Category 6a (Cat6a) and other standards.  

BHS produces specialized material handling tools built to streamline wire pulls while protecting infrastructure during construction. Below, we’ll discuss a few options — but if you’re looking for specialized data center material handling solutions for your next installation, we’re here to help.

Call 1.800.BHS.9500 to speak with a member of our team or to find a local dealer.

Low-Voltage Cabling for Server Density

Data centers are about high transmission speeds, which requires a particular set of products. If you’re installing Category 6a copper for 10GBASE-T links and high-wattage Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems, you might be handling dozens of lighter, smaller spools at the same time.

If your material handling equipment twists or crimps the jackets, you’ll end up wasting materials — and installers will be constantly bending, twisting, and turning to get the cable where it needs to be. BHS provides data center material handling solutions to make installations easier, more efficient, and much more ergonomic.  

The Reel Taxi® (RT-1424)

Standard spools for Cat6a cabling typically range between 12 and 24 inches in diameter. Rolling or dragging these spools across access floors creates friction, tangles lines, and damages the jacketing.

The Reel Taxi® (RT-1424) from BHS provides a compact roller platform designed specifically for small-to-medium data cable reels.

• Space-Saving Footprint: At just under 22 inches wide, the unit fits into tight server aisles, raised-floor environments, and mechanical closets. It’s a popular option for server rooms for that reason.
• Low-Friction Payout: Poly-coated rollers and sealed bearings allow smooth payout without dragging or snagging sensitive data lines.
• Positioning Control: Four swivel casters let technicians roll spools up to 400 pounds into place, while foot-activated brakes lock the cart during payout.

Use the Reel Taxi® for shorter runs that require frequent repositioning or tight maneuvering.

Data Center Power Feeder Installation

High-density AI racks pull enormous amounts of power. Running higher-voltage lines helps keep cable bundles manageable, but the main electrical feed still requires massive conductors.

When you’re maneuvering 5,000-pound spools of heavy feeder cable through finished corridors, work is slow — and potentially dangerous, if your MHE isn’t appropriate for the job at hand. If your equipment doesn’t pay out cable evenly, the work is much harder than it needs to be.

Parallel Reel Payout (PRP)

Pulling multiple heavy conductors simultaneously normally requires setup of several individual jack stands. The BHS Parallel Reel Payout (PRP) consolidates multiple heavy cable reels onto a single master frame equipped with independently spinning compartments.

Features include:

• Multi-Conductor Pulls: Multi-compartment reels allow electricians to execute parallel pulls in a single movement, cutting labor time significantly.
• Heavy-Duty Capacity: Solid 2-inch steel center shafts and heavy-walled steel frames support industrial loads across demanding worksites.
• Maneuverability: Built-in four-way fork pockets allow lift trucks to move fully loaded units directly to the pull location.

The PRP was built with ergonomics in mind, and it’s a popular option for wholesalers looking to add value-added products to their lineup. To learn more, read: Cable Storage, Conduit Racks, and Shelving for Electrical Wholesalers.

Parallel Reel Wagon (PRW)

The Parallel Reel Wagon (PRW) takes the multi-reel payout capability of the standard PRP and packages it into a fully mobile, narrow-frame wagon. It’s designed to improve throughput where space is limited:

• 34-Inch Doorway Clearance: A slim 32-inch width allows crews to roll loaded spools directly through standard 34-inch commercial doorways and narrow server aisles.
• Full 5,000-Pound Capacity: Built with a heavy-duty steel tube base and a solid 2-inch center shaft, the PRW carries up to two and a half tons of feeder cable across up to five free-spinning reel compartments.
• Mobility & Stability: Heavy-duty casters and a pivoting handle allow manual maneuvering around tight corners, while an integrated floor lock and shaft locking pins secure the unit completely during high-tension cable pulls.

Like the standard PRP, the PRW has built-in fork pockets to allow the unit to be loaded onto flatbeds for easy transport between job sites.

Optimize Your Data Center Cable Installation

Equipping electrical and telecom contractors with heavy-duty cable handling tools speeds up data center construction while protecting workers from overexertion. BHS provides solutions to help your team move quickly and safely.

Explore our full line of Electrical Equipment online, or call 1.800.BHS.9500 to speak with our team.