Hand trucks simplify the process of moving heavy items. Also known as box carts, they consist of a frame with wheels and a handle. You can place items on the bottom of a hand truck. You can then roll the hand truck to the desired location. While nearly all hand trucks use this same design, they are available in different types, such as self-supporting hand trucks.
The Basics of Self-Supporting Hand Trucks
Self-supporting hand trucks are specialized hand trucks that fully support the loads they carry. Like most hand trucks, they feature an L-shaped frame with wheels on the bottom and a handle on the top. There’s a small lip protruding out the bottom of the frame, which is designed to carry loads. To use a self-supporting hand truck, you just need to stack the item or items you wish to transport on this lip, at which point you can then push or pull the hand truck.
Common features of self-supporting hand trucks include the following:
- Ergonomic handle
- Four wheels
- Puncture-proof tires
- Strong and durable frame
- Corrosion-resistant construction
- High load capacity
Traditional vs Self-Supporting Hand Trucks
There are several key differences between traditional and self-supporting hand trucks, one of which is the number of wheels they have. Traditional hand trucks typically have two wheels, whereas most self-supporting hand trucks have four wheels. They have two large rear wheels, followed by two smaller “omnidirectional” front wheels. This four-wheeled design allows self-supporting hand trucks to balance themselves — even when they are carrying a load.
Self-supporting hand trucks also feature a robust, durable frame. The frame must bear the weight of the load. Therefore, self-supporting hand trucks are often designed with stronger frames than their traditional counterparts.
Why Choose a Self-Supporting Hand Truck
When using a self-supporting hand truck, you don’t have to worry about tilting and balancing the load. Normally, you have to pull back on a traditional hand truck before rolling it. Only after pulling back and balancing the traditional hand truck will you be able to roll it. Self-supporting hand trucks eliminate the need for tilting and balancing such as this.
Because they stabilize themselves, self-supporting hand trucks are easy to use. They roll smoothly and without falling backward or forward.
Self-supporting hand trucks are a popular choice for tight spaces. You can maneuver through narrow hallways and other tight spaces. Self-supporting hand trucks will stabilize themselves so that you don’t have to tilt or balance. As a result, they are easy to use in tight spaces such as this.