Using a hand truck is by far the simplest and most time-efficient method available for transporting heavy items within an industrial setting. The frame is in the shape of an L, and it rests on a wheeled base that is flat. It is also known as a box cart. On the base, you are able to place boxes and other large objects, and once they are in position, the hand truck can be rolled. Hand trucks all have a design that is roughly the same, but each one has its own unique characteristics. When selecting a hand truck, the following five factors should be taken into consideration.
Nose Size
When shopping for a hand truck, it is important to pay attention to the length of the nose. The base of a hand truck is referred to as the nose. When you are transporting objects or boxes, you will need to stack them on the nose of the vehicle. As a consequence of this, the size of the things that can be supported by the hand truck will be determined by the size of the nose. Because of your little nose, you will only be able to transport items that are also small and of a similar size.
Height of the Frame
When looking for a hand truck, you should pay attention to both the size of the snout and the height of the frame. Stacking items on the nose of a hand truck allows you to transport many items at once with the hand truck. The movement of stacked boxes, for instance, requires the employment of hand trucks, which are frequently utilized not only by workers but also by customers. Having said that, you shouldn’t stack boxes or other items higher than the frame in any way. It is possible for them to topple over if they are stacked above the frame. When shopping for a hand truck, you need to remember to take into account the height of the frame.
Carrying Capacity
When shopping for a hand truck, make sure you don’t overlook the importance of taking into account its load capacity. It’s exactly what it sounds like: the load capacity is the greatest amount of weight that a hand truck can support without tipping over or becoming unstable. A load capacity of up to 500 pounds can be found in some hand trucks. The load capacity of certain others is one thousand pounds. You need to make sure that the hand truck you purchase can support the overall weight of the things you need to move. As a consequence of this, when selecting one, you will need to take into consideration the load capacity.
Compared to the Stair-Climbing Method
There is a choice between normal hand trucks and hand trucks that can climb stairs. Hand trucks that adhere to industry standards have a conventional layout that includes a frame, a nose, and a set of wheels at the base of the device. Hand trucks that can climb stairs have a similar design to standard hand trucks, but they have one or more additional sets of wheels. Stair-climbing hand trucks are able to roll up and down stairs thanks to their additional wheels.
Material
There are many varieties of hand trucks, each built of a unique material. The majority of them are constructed out of metal and have metal nose pieces. However, the type of metal used in their production could be different from one another. There are carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum hand trucks available on the market today. Hand trucks made of aluminum are the lowest in weight, while hand trucks made of stainless steel or carbon steel are often stronger and have a larger load capacity than aluminum hand trucks.