One of the most essential pieces of equipment at most industrial work sites is a high-quality hand truck. These hand trucks are able to move heavy loads relatively easily by leveraging the item’s weight and pairing that leverage with a strong and reliable set of wheels or casters. There are, however, several different options for industrial customers, and each of these options are suitable for different kinds of jobs. Before purchasing just any hand truck, make sure it’s the right one to get the job done in the most efficient way.
Here at Douglas Equipment, we realize that not everyone will be knowledgeable in all things related to casters. That is why we’ve provided this helpful article as a quick caster reference guide so that you will be fully educated about the type of material-handling equipment you’re in the market to purchase. Here is short checklist of the kind of hand truck you will need for specific applications:
Traditional Steel or Aluminum Hand Trucks: The Entry-Level Model
When anyone thinks about a hand truck, they tend to picture a piece of equipment that stands several feet tall, has medium-sized wheels, and a small platform. It’s capable of lifting light or moderate loads, but it’s by no means the most versatile or heavy-duty model on the market. This is exactly the case with traditional steel or aluminum hand trucks.
Benefits of Traditional Steel or Aluminum Hand Trucks:
- They are perfect for completing smaller jobs
- They are great for tasks that require lesser weight to be placed on the truck’s platform
- Both steel and aluminum models are quite durable and reliable
- Each model holds up to 900 lbs. for a single load
Steel tends to be a little less prone to rust, but both materials are perfect in this instance. Companies with relatively minimal requirements should look at one of these models first.
For Bigger Moves: The Appliance Hand Truck
Probably one of the heaviest loads carried by any hand truck comes when the equipment is used to transport appliances from one place or another. This process requires a hand truck that has the right “tilt,” or angle, to get the job done. Not having the proper hand truck to transport oversized loads can result in catastrophic damage to your material, equipment, or worse—a person. Stocking the wrong hand truck can result in thousands of dollars of liability damage.
Such oversized jobs require a hand truck that can lift the right amount of weight and ensure that the appliance—and the transporter arrive without being damaged during the moving process.
A number of appliance trucks are available to industrial customers with tilt angles that range from 45o to 49o. This rating is especially important for bulkier appliances like refrigerators or large ovens, because the wrong tilt angle can make them nearly impossible to move without incurring at least some damage. So, always be sure that an appliance hand truck has the right combination of tilt and capacity before using it to move a given appliance.
Dual Purpose Hand Trucks Cover All Bases
When it comes to buying a truly versatile product, nothing beats the dual purpose hand truck. These hand trucks are designed to work either in a standup or flatbed configuration. That means that they can be used to move a wide variety of wide, tall, or bulky loads, and the rated capacity of most models exceeds even the 900 lbs. of traditional models. They’re perfect for warehouses and shipping operations, and that’s where they’re most likely to be found. You can also find these trusty hand trucks to be the essential tool for major mail and package-handling couriers like UPS and FedEx.
Types of Hand Trucks Douglas Equipment Carries
One of our top-selling hand trucks is our Wesco series.
Wesco manufactures a variety of hand trucks that are designed for such specific applications that were previously mentioned. Here’s quick list of our Wesco hand trucks:
- Spartan Jr. Economy Aluminum 2 in 1 Truck – For those jobs that require the dual purpose of carrying small items and oversized equipment, this is kind of hand truck you will need.
- Spartan Sr. Economy Aluminum 2 in 1 Truck – The Sr. series is just like the Jr. except that it comes with a handle for better steering and maneuvering. It’s also designed to transport more weight.
- Cobra Jr. Convertible Truck – The Cobra Jr. hand truck is very similar to Spartan’s Jr. 2 in 1 truck, except with this brand, you have several more options regarding the type of model you want
- Cobra Sr. Convertible Truck – With the Sr. model, you’ll also get a wide variety of options along with the ability to transport more weight.
Buy in Bulk!
Because we get our equipment directly from the manufacturer, there are no overhead costs and you won’t pay more than you need to. As a result, Douglas Equipment can afford to offer you discount pricing on any of the hand trucks that you want to buy in bulk. This is going to be the most cost-effective and efficient way to purchase any of your material-handling equipment.
Choose Douglas Equipment When Shopping for the Best Hand Truck
Businesses should always remember that a hand truck is a must-have tool to have on site whether it’s in a warehouse, retail or office setting. The professional staff at Douglas Equipment offer high quality products and are committed to ensuring fast delivery. It’s our great customer service and professional relationships with our vendors that make us the leading option for industrial business owners everywhere.
Call to place your order for your hand trucks at 1-800-451-0030 or contact a Douglas Equipment representative online today.
