The hand truck is one of the most common and versatile material handling aids. They are commonly used to move refrigerators, stoves and other large furniture when moving and in warehouses for a variety of tasks. The mechanical advantage afforded by the lever action of the platform and wheeled fulcrum make them a powerful assistant on any job where heavy things need to be persuaded into motion. Because of this, hand truck owners are always the first to be asked by family members, coworkers and friends to help them move. And if they somehow manage to escape the heavy lifting, the owner usually offers the truck on loan to absolve their laziness.

This is all in jest. Hand truck owners are good, charitable people willing to lend a hand at any time. And before they lend their muscle and equipment to a job, they do research on the type of hand truck they need. Let’s take a look at some different types of hand trucks and how they can help you as you spend your weekend moving your coworker’s 30 year old washing machine out of his basement. Besides giving you the ability to lift things without causing strain or injury, hand trucks are also a great way to make new friends.
(more…)