3 Parts That Make or Break a Hand Truck
When you work in a warehouse, understanding hand trucks is essential. When you and your team understand these important pieces of equipment, it’s easier to create a safe and efficient work environment.
Understanding the basics of a hand dolly
can sharpen your material handling skills and help you customize your
tools. Here are a few hand truck parts every warehouse team member
should be familiar with.
Nose Plate
Sometimes referred to as the front plate, this feature is one of the
most essential parts of a hand truck. This is the piece of metal at the
front of a hand cart where items are stacked.
Familiarizing
yourself with different types of nose plates can help you choose the
right tool for different situations. A short, standard nose plate is
great for boxes and stackable items. On the other hand, if you’re
transporting appliances or other heavy items, a heavy duty hand cart
with a wider nose plate might be best. Some hand carts even have
foldable nose plates, making them easier to store in the back of a
moving van or delivery truck. Choose a hand truck that allows you to
customize individual components to your specific application.
Frame
The frame is the main portion of the hand truck body, running
perpendicular to the nose plate. The material and design of the frame
determine the overall strength and stability of the hand truck. A heavy duty aluminum hand truck offers an impressive strength-to-weight capacity, making it a great choice for warehouses.
Aluminum frames are one of the best options for hand trucks, since this
naturally rust-resistant metal is lightweight and durable. Choosing the
right frame makes a major difference in the performance of a hand
truck.
Handles and Grips
The handles are used to steer and guide a hand truck, ideally offering control and stability.
While the best type of handle depends on the layout of a warehouse and
what types of shipments the team handles, there are a few key types
worth knowing about:
- Straight Handles: Ideal for general pushing and pulling.
- Welded Pistol Grip: Allows one-handed steering and stability.
- Bolted Double Drip: A versatile handle ideal for a variety of situations.
Understanding these three essential hand truck parts can benefit warehouse teams.
About Magline
For
more than 75 years, Magliner material handling tools have set the gold
standard for material moving and delivery solutions. Magliner tools
enable employees to complete tasks across various industries,
prioritizing both efficiency and safety. With a wide selection of
material handling tools available, they’ve become a common sight in
workplaces worldwide. From white glove delivery drivers to warehouse
workers, professionals everywhere count on Magliner tools to help them
get the job done. Shop the full selection or Design Your Own Magliner
material handling solutions today.
Ready to design a hand truck? Head to https://www.magliner.com/
This article was originally published on magliner.com’s blog here.


