Hand trucks are invaluable for many industries from delivery trucks to warehouse unloading. They are especially useful when these loads need to be moved around in tight places where larger equipment can’t easily travel. Basically any time you need to unload heavy materials a hand truck will do the job.
What is a Hand Truck?
A hand truck is a type of material handling equipment that consists of an upright frame with large wheels that allow them to be placed under a load, such as a stack of boxes or an appliance such as a fridge. The hand truck is then tilted back allowing the hand truck and load to roll freely where it needs to go. Many heavy duty hand trucks have additional features that add to the safety of the operators and maneuverability of the hand truck when large loads are present.
The added features include benefits such as a set of kick out wheels that make the hand truck into a four wheeled moving machine when it is tilted back. Other attachments allow the hand truck to climb stairs by adding treads that allow for safe gripping of stairs during ascent or decent. Still other hand trucks include wheels at the top of the truck that allow you to lay the truck down, effectively becoming a four wheeled cart.
Here are a few samples of some heavy duty hand trucks that are available from Wesco for moving large loads. Douglas Equipment can help you to choose the right one for your needs:
- Spartan Jr. Economy Aluminum 2 in 1 Truck: This hand truck has a sturdy yet light-weight aluminum frame construction with solid 10” rubber wheels and 5” non-marking swivel casters. A pedal release allows for easy conversion from 2 wheel to 4 wheel positions. The extra strength 18” wide noseplate is cast from a special aluminum alloy for durability under larger loads. Dimensions are Width 22”, Height 52”, Depth 19” with capacity of 500 pounds on 2 wheels and 1000 pounds on 4 wheels. The hand truck weighs just 54 pounds.
- Stairclimber for 100 Series Hand Truck: This bigger hand truck includes a belt attachment for hauling heavy loads up stairs. The attachment fits on the 100 series hand truck, which has a steel frame construction and semi-pneumatic wheels. Dimensions are Width 22.5”, Height 48”, Depth 24” with a capacity of 500 pounds for the 100 series hand truck. The hand truck weighs 37 pounds and the stairclimber attachment adds an additional 7 pounds.
- Series 470 Cobra-Lite Aluminum Hand Truck Model 470-T18-R3: This Wesco aluminum hand truck has a flat backed aluminum frame with 2” wide cross braces for additional strength, which is ideal for moving stacked boxes. A heavy duty cast nose plate gives a loading surface area of 7.5” by 18” wide. The dimensions for this unit are width 18”, height 52”, depth 20” with a weight of 21 pounds and a load capacity of 600 pounds. For easy movement the unit includes 8” mold-on rubber wheels.
- Series 126D Industrial Hand Truck: This larger truck has a steel frame construction and closed “D” shaped handle for multiple hand positions or one hand control. Three horizontal cross straps and full height vertical center strap provides support for small packages. The hand truck weighs 41 pounds with 10” semi-pneumatic wheels. Dimensions are Width 22.5”, Height 46”, Depth 18.5” with capacity of 700 pounds.
- Steel Appliance Truck Model WRC: This is a specialty hand truck from Wesco designed for appliance movers with an all steel welded frame construction for maximum strength. Non-marking grey vinyl surfaces protect the load during use, and a 2” wide heavy duty web belt is included to secure the load. Dimensions are Width 24”, Height 59.5”, Depth 13” with capacity of 750 pounds. The hand truck includes 6” Mold-on rubber wheels and weighs 52 pounds.
- StairKing Battery Powered Stair Climbing Truck Model DC-72: The StairKing has a ½ horsepower, 50 Amp, high torque motor and an industrial grade gear box for steady power. The truck includes a continuous tread stair climber above the wheels that grip the stair and raise the hand truck from one stair to the next. The truck has a capacity of 850 pounds and 15 cubic feet with dimensions of width 24”, height 72”, depth 15” and weight of 102 pounds. Wheels are 6” Mold-on rubber for firm grip and easy rolling and lift feet that are 2” polyurethane for a more secure stair gripping surface.
- 900# 25T73 Hand Truck: This hand truck is made with a frame of 1 1/4 “ tubular steel and heavy gauge steel fenders to prevent the load from rubbing against the wheels. This gives it a good 900 pound capacity for heavy loads. For better handling the hand truck includes dual handles for controlling loads using both hands. Unit dimensions: Height 50”, Width 21”, Base Plate 7” X 18” with 8” mold-on rubber wheels. (Other wheel types are available)
Douglas Equipment for Wesco Hand Trucks
If you’re unsure which hand truck or attachment best meets your needs, contact Douglas Equipment today and let one of our experts assist you.
