A sack truck is also known as a hand truck, and if you run a business, this is one handy tool that you cannot do without – and your back (or your employee’s backs) will definitely thank you when you purchase one. The term sack truck actually refers to a type of cart that is pushed by hand and is very, very useful in transporting and moving goods around in a store, warehouse, or even in your own home or garage.
The sack truck is easily recognized by its design, which is L-shaped with wheels at its base and handles on the top to make it easy usable. The toe plate of the sack truck is a small protruding platform that lays flat against the ground so that it can “scoop” up things that need to be moved, such as boxes. Or boxes can be sat manually on the tool. Once the load has been established, the operator would tilt the truck backwards and then roll the truck to wherever the goods need to be moved. In addition to the term hand truck, you may have heard this handy tool called a dollie, stack truck, bag barrow, or two-wheeled dollie.
Choosing
When shopping for a sack truck, keep in mind that the most optimal material for these heavy-duty trucks is stainless steel that has been powder coated, although you can also find them in high impact plastic versions, or made from tube steel, aluminum, or blends of aluminum and steel. Steel trucks are more durable and can handle a bigger workload than those made of other materials. Look for tires that are made of a high gauge rubber, especially if you plan to use the truck for heavier loads. The high end sack truck may have a ball bearing hub in order to minimize the shock of the load as it is transported.
You might also look for wheel protectors that can assist with cradling and holding the load better, and can make maneuvering in tight spots a bit easier to handle. As a rule of thumb, the better the quality of the wheels and tires, the more pay load the truck will be able to handle, even when traversing rougher terrain outside of a smooth concrete floor. Buy a sack truck based on the weight that you plan to haul on a regular basis. Some trucks are designed to carry bigger items, and thus have a larger and longer toe plate. The toe plate may also be thicker on some trucks because they need to haul bigger, bulkier, or heavier items.
Pay attention to the maximum weight that the truck is designed to accommodate. If space is a concern, or if you plan to transport the truck, you should look for a folding truck that can be easily folded down and stored or transported to another location.