Hand trucks are a type of material handling equipment used in many industries to safely and efficiently move large, heavy objects and materials. They are necessary for the continued functioning of industries such as HVAC, moving, manufacturing, construction, and medical services.
Hand trucks come in many sizes, materials, capacities, and structures depending on what they are designed to move. They tend to have two wheels and a vertical frame, and feature a nose plate that slides under an object for easier lifting. They can be manually operated, electrically powered, motorized, or designed with stair climbing capabilities.
This guide provides an overview of the most common hand truck types and explains how and why each type is used.
Basic Anatomy of a Hand Truck
Though hand trucks differ in structure depending on their intended purpose, most variations feature the same essential parts.
- Nose: The small ledge at the base of the hand truck where objects are set down for transport. The nose can also slide underneath an object so the user does not have to manually lift and place it.
- Handles: Used to control, tilt, push, and steer the hand truck.
- Wheels or tracks: The movement system that allows the load to be transported. Stair climbing models may use specialized tracks or powered climbing mechanisms.
- Frame: The main structure that supports the object being carried. Frames are commonly made from steel or aluminum. Aluminum is lighter, while steel is typically stronger and suited to heavier loads.
All the Types of Hand Trucks, Explained
Hand trucks have different attributes based on what they are used for. A single model may combine several features, such as powered movement, folding construction, or a convertible frame.
Powered Hand Trucks
Powered or motorized hand trucks use battery-operated systems to help maneuver heavy loads. Some assist with wheel movement, lifting, or travel on stairs.
Traditional Hand Trucks
The familiar L-shaped, two-wheel design is manually tilted and pushed by the operator. These models are often used for boxes and lighter everyday loads.
Convertible Hand Trucks
Convertible models can operate vertically on two wheels or unfold into a four-wheel platform for larger or wider loads.
Folding Hand Trucks
Folding or collapsible hand trucks are designed for convenient storage and transport in closets, work vehicles, or delivery vans.
Powered and Stair Climbing Designs
Motorized hand trucks use a powered system to help rotate the wheels or otherwise propel the hand truck. Some also provide automatic lifting, reducing the need for the operator to manually tilt a heavy load.
Stair climbing powered hand trucks use specialized mechanisms to ascend and descend stairs. Push-arm designs repeatedly extend against the next step to raise or lower the load. Track-based models use rotating tracks that move across the stair edges. These systems may include braking features intended to help control movement during ascent and descent.
By reducing the amount of physical effort required, powered stair climbing hand trucks can help lower the risk of overexertion and lifting injuries.
Hand Truck Design by Object
Whether you are loading boxes into a moving truck or transporting a large piece of equipment, the best hand truck is the one designed for the specific shape, size, and weight of the load.
General Purpose
General purpose hand trucks usually feature two wheels and a vertical frame. They are designed to lift boxes, crates, bins, and raw materials.
Appliance
Appliance hand trucks are designed for refrigerators, ovens, vending machines, and other bulky equipment. They often include straps and additional support wheels.
Furniture
Furniture hand trucks are used for tables, file cabinets, dressers, and similar items. Many can convert into a four-wheel platform for bulky loads.
Pail or Drum
These specialized trucks move cylindrical containers such as pails, drums, barrels, and buckets. Additional supports help secure the container.
Beverage
Beverage hand trucks often use lightweight aluminum frames for cases, bottles, and water containers. Delivery models may include curb or stair climbing features.
Cylinder
Cylinder hand trucks carry gas cylinders and tanks. They may use chains, straps, fitted supports, or magnets to keep the cylinder in position.
What Is the Difference Between a Hand Truck and a Dolly?
The terms hand truck and dolly are often used interchangeably, but they are not technically the same type of equipment.
Hand Truck
A hand truck is generally L-shaped and vertical, with two large wheels and a nose plate that slides under a load. Convertible models may use four wheels but still retain the vertical frame and nose plate.
Dolly
A dolly is typically a horizontal, raised platform supported by four wheels. Because it does not have a nose plate, objects usually need to be lifted onto it.
Dollies offer excellent stability on flat surfaces, while hand trucks are often better for maneuvering around obstacles, across uneven areas, and up or down stairs when equipped for that purpose.
Why Are Hand Trucks Used?
Variations of hand trucks have appeared in recorded history for centuries. Early sack trucks were developed to move heavy sacks and other goods that could not be carried easily by hand.
Modern hand trucks remain useful for the same fundamental reason: they make it easier and safer to move heavy materials. They reduce the strain placed on muscles and joints and can turn certain two-person jobs into one-person tasks.
Safety Considerations
Appropriate material handling equipment can help reduce lifting-related strains, sprains, and other injuries caused by overexertion.
Workplace Efficiency
Hand trucks reduce the need for multi-person lifting and make transport faster by allowing objects to roll rather than be carried.
What Industries Benefit From Hand Trucks?
Hand trucks are used across a broad range of industries and occupations where materials, equipment, supplies, or deliveries must be moved regularly.
Medical
Hospitals and medical facilities use hand trucks for supplies, equipment, oxygen tanks, and storage boxes.
Construction
Construction teams and contractors use hand trucks to transport building materials, tools, fixtures, and appliances into buildings.
Moving Companies
Movers use general purpose, appliance, furniture, convertible, folding, and stair climbing hand trucks depending on the job.
HVAC
HVAC professionals move large heating and cooling units using heavy-duty hand trucks with wide noses, straps, support wheels, and durable frames.
How Do You Decide Which Hand Truck to Use?
With so many types available, choosing the correct hand truck requires a careful look at the load, the operator, the work environment, and the travel path.
Thinking About a Stair Climbing Hand Truck?
If your business regularly moves heavy equipment or materials on stairs, a powered stair climbing hand truck may help reduce physical strain, decrease labor demands, and provide greater control during ascent and descent.
Voltstair offers motorized stair climbing hand trucks for a range of professional applications and load capacities. The right model depends on what you are moving, the maximum load weight, the stair configuration, and how frequently the equipment will be used.
Find the Right Voltstair
Explore our powered stair climbing hand trucks or contact our team for help comparing models for your application.