Bushels vs. Cubic Feet: How to Size a Commercial Laundry Cart

Shop for laundry carts and you’ll notice something confusing right away: some are sold by the bushel, others by the cubic foot. A “12 bushel” truck and a “15 cu ft” truck are nearly the same size, but you’d never know it from the labels. This guide explains both units, gives you a quick conversion chart, and walks through how to pick the right capacity for the job.

What is a bushel in laundry carts?

A bushel is an old agricultural measure of volume, and the laundry industry still uses it to size basket trucks, wire carts and smaller poly trucks. One US bushel equals about 1.24 cubic feet. So a 10 bushel truck holds roughly 12.4 cubic feet of linen.

Cubic feet is the more common unit for larger bulk delivery carts and containers. Neither unit is “better.” They just come from different corners of the industry, and many manufacturers stick with whichever one they’ve always used.

Quick conversion chart

Use this chart to compare carts listed in different units. Values are rounded.

Bushels	Cubic feet	Typical cart type
2.5	3.1	Small wire laundry cart
6	7.5	Wire cart or small poly/vinyl basket truck
10	12.4	Mid-size basket truck
12	14.9	Mid-size basket truck
16	19.9	Large basket truck
20	24.9	Large basket truck
29	36	Bulk delivery cart
39	48	Bulk delivery cart (most popular bulk size)
48	60	Large bulk delivery cart
68	84	Extra-large bulk delivery cart

The math: bushels × 1.24 = cubic feet. Cubic feet ÷ 1.24 = bushels.

How to choose the right capacity

Bigger isn’t always better. The right size depends on what the cart does all day, who pushes it, and where it has to fit.

1. Match the cart to the job

• Room-to-room collection (2.5 to 6 bushels): Wire laundry carts and small basket trucks are easy to steer through hallways and fit beside a housekeeping cart.
• Moving loads inside the laundry room (6 to 20 bushels): Poly bushel trucks and vinyl basket trucks carry loads between washers, dryers and folding tables.
• Transporting linen between floors or buildings (33 to 84 cu ft): Bulk delivery carts move full linen runs to guest floors, nursing units or the loading dock.

2. Think about weight, not just volume

A cart can hold more than one person can comfortably push. Wet linen is much heavier than dry, so a cart that’s easy to move full of clean towels can be a struggle full of wet ones. If your staff moves wet loads, consider a mid-size cart or a heavy-duty model with larger casters rather than the biggest capacity available.

3. Measure doorways and elevators first

Capacity drives size. Most bulk delivery carts in the 33 to 48 cu ft range are about 26 to 31 inches wide and fit through standard commercial doors. Larger 60 and 84 cu ft carts can be 42 inches wide. Check every door, hallway turn and elevator the cart will pass through before you order.

4. Plan for how full the cart really gets

Staff rarely fill a cart perfectly level. Loads get heaped, and overfilled carts spill and tip on turns. Choosing one size up from your “exact” calculation gives you a buffer without overfilling.

A simple way to size your fleet

1. List each job a cart does (collecting, sorting, transporting, storing clean linen).
2. Estimate the volume of one typical load for each job.
3. Pick the cart type and capacity that fits that load, using the chart above.
4. Check the cart’s width and height against your doors and elevators.
5. Count how many loads are in motion at the same time during your busiest hour. That’s roughly how many carts you need of each type.

Want help with the numbers? Our laundry cart guide and capacity calculator walks through it step by step.

Frequently asked questions

How many cubic feet is a 12 bushel laundry cart?

About 14.9 cubic feet (12 × 1.24).

What size bulk delivery cart is most common?

The 48 cubic foot (about 39 bushel) cart is the most common bulk size. It’s large enough for a full linen run but still manageable for one person. The Maxi-Movers 48 Cu Ft cart (M7090) is one of our Quick Ship items and ships in 48 to 72 hours.

Are bushel and cubic foot ratings exact?

They’re close but not always exact. Manufacturers round their ratings, and two carts with the same listed capacity can differ slightly in shape. When it matters, compare the actual inside dimensions.

Should I buy one size or a mix?

Most operations do best with a mix: small carts for collection, mid-size trucks in the laundry room, and bulk carts for transport. One size rarely fits every job.