Dollies & Hand Trucks

Common Questions About Hand Trucks

What is a platform truck used for?

Hand trucks, also called platform trucks, are used to transport heavy and awkward items through your facility. Their durability means they can hold materials that weigh thousands of pounds, and they can be used to carry heavy boxes, containers, kegs, tables, and chairs.

How do I choose a hand truck?

Hand trucks are available with capacities ranging from 500 pounds to 3,500 pounds. Heavy items like full kegs require high-capacity models, while lighter items, like dining room chairs, can be transported on smaller units. Because all hand trucks are rigid and durable, most models can hold at least three full kegs.

The length and width of your hand truck should be determined based on the size of the item you'll be transporting. It's also important to consider the measurements of your facility, including doorways and aisles. If the hand truck is too large for the area, you won't be able to maneuver through the space.

There are three available handles on hand trucks: U-shaped, T-bar, or stanchion. U-shaped handles connect two of the corners of the hand truck, meaning it is ideal for hauling heavy items. Units with U-shaped handles often have a handle on each end, while a single pole and wide bar on the top makes up a T-bar handle. This type of handle mounts in the center of the hand truck and provides comfortable maneuverability through the facility. Stanchion handles enable you to push and pull the truck from each corner, so you can transport rugs, carpets, pipes, and other bulky items.

For extra-heavy loads, there are power drive options available. These hand trucks use rechargeable, battery-powered motors, making it easy to transport 3,000-pound loads.

What are the most common types of specialty dollies?

Dish and glass rack dollies safely store and transport empty and full racks from the dishroom to the kitchen or storage space, though these dollies are rated based on capacity rather than the amount of racks they can hold. A handle is integrated into some dish rack dollies, which is beneficial if you plan to haul a small number of dishes and can't stoop to reach the stack to push the dolly. There is a drain hole in the center of some of these carts, so water can drip through the bottom instead of collecting.

Trash can dollies can maneuver bulky waste containers through facilities. Most of these dollies have a raised center that holds the trash can in place during transport, and on other units, raised edges keep the waste container on the dolly. Available in square and circular shapes, the dollies can be used with a variety of trash cans, including trash cans with capacities up to 900 pounds.

Chair and table dollies efficiently move large amounts of these items around your facility, like from a storage area to a dining area. These dollies can hold as many as 20 stackable or folding chairs in a variety of configurations, including stacked, standing up, hung, or laid flat.