Appliance hand trucks?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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Appliance hand trucks?
Does anyone here have much experience moving appliances etc with hand trucks? What kinds of hand trucks have you used? What works well? What doesn't? What is a good quality hand truck? Are there any drawbacks to aluminum other than repair welding being more difficult if the scenario ever arose?
I'm looking at an aluminum Wesco that has the extra wheels to support a load tilted back on 4 wheels. I see it is made in Taiwan though... Thoughts? Others similar?
On a little different topic, has anyone ever used one of the powered stair climbing trucks? Those look pretty sweet but I don't have $2000+ to buy one. I don't mind spending a few hundred.
I have a cheap hand truck now, 10" pneumatic tires and no stair climbers/treads. It works OK but I don't trust it to move what I need to move, more than rolling on a flat surface a short distance.
I'm looking at an aluminum Wesco that has the extra wheels to support a load tilted back on 4 wheels. I see it is made in Taiwan though... Thoughts? Others similar?
On a little different topic, has anyone ever used one of the powered stair climbing trucks? Those look pretty sweet but I don't have $2000+ to buy one. I don't mind spending a few hundred.
I have a cheap hand truck now, 10" pneumatic tires and no stair climbers/treads. It works OK but I don't trust it to move what I need to move, more than rolling on a flat surface a short distance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
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From: Lafayette, IN
When I worked for a moving company eons ago, all the drivers had the two-wheel trucks with the tracks on the back just above the wheels. I've used others since, and nothing compares. With those, I could fairly easily move a refrigerator by myself up or down a flight of stairs, and I was only 6' and a buck-fifty back then. Those trucks also had the built-in ratchet strap for securing the load.
Jason
Jason
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Southern MD
Steve, I've used several different types/kinds of handtrucks over the years, from cheap handtrucks to expensive ones.
I've moved refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, soda machines, heavy (and I mean HEAVY!) boxes of paper.
We had a really good, but 'cheap' appliance handtruck in our print shop, that had the 'belts' behind and above the tires, as well as a set of 'out-riggers' with wheels, that 'locked' at 45° and took the weight.
When that shop was closed down, we were told that we could 'junk' anything we wanted.
Like a FOOL, I didn't 'junk' that handtruck and get a 'package pass' to remove it from the property.
Both supervisor and manager said that they'd sign off the pass.
Now that I've got some age and body limitations, I'd spend the $$$ and get a GOOD handtruck for moving stuff.
(Either that, or call someone to move it for me!!)
I've moved refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, soda machines, heavy (and I mean HEAVY!) boxes of paper.
We had a really good, but 'cheap' appliance handtruck in our print shop, that had the 'belts' behind and above the tires, as well as a set of 'out-riggers' with wheels, that 'locked' at 45° and took the weight.
When that shop was closed down, we were told that we could 'junk' anything we wanted.
Like a FOOL, I didn't 'junk' that handtruck and get a 'package pass' to remove it from the property.
Both supervisor and manager said that they'd sign off the pass.
Now that I've got some age and body limitations, I'd spend the $$$ and get a GOOD handtruck for moving stuff.
(Either that, or call someone to move it for me!!)
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Cargo Master
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After thinking about my situation and the future - those involved and the aches and pains following - I broke down and got a powered hand truck. I'm sure my back, and others' backs, will be very appreciative.
I ended up ordering a Wesco StairKing - 230051 model number (66", not the 72"). I want to get the kick out wheel option too but thats another $400 or so, which I don't get because that one option is not much cheaper than the whole non-powered equivalent hand truck to the StairKing WITH that option.
The pneumatic wheels are nice from a floatation standpoint, but maintenance-wise they are a pain. The truck I have has the tires popping the bead every so often. Last summer I put them back on the rims when I used it and got them inflated OK, I'll have to check them to see if they are still good. Molded rubber is always ready - no bead to pop. The new truck has the molded wheels - though a bit small (6"). I'll just put plywood down to roll my appliance on - protect the floor.
I ended up ordering a Wesco StairKing - 230051 model number (66", not the 72"). I want to get the kick out wheel option too but thats another $400 or so, which I don't get because that one option is not much cheaper than the whole non-powered equivalent hand truck to the StairKing WITH that option.
The pneumatic wheels are nice from a floatation standpoint, but maintenance-wise they are a pain. The truck I have has the tires popping the bead every so often. Last summer I put them back on the rims when I used it and got them inflated OK, I'll have to check them to see if they are still good. Molded rubber is always ready - no bead to pop. The new truck has the molded wheels - though a bit small (6"). I'll just put plywood down to roll my appliance on - protect the floor.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
I own an old steel appliance hand truck with the tilting rear wheels and the stair climbing tracks. It handles the job well but it's heavy as the dickens.
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Cargo Master
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Just thought I'd post an update... I've been trying out this StairKing hand truck. It is a beast. I thought ahead a little bit and figured there was going to be a lot of pressure on the the stair climber feet, enough to damage the flooring, so I made up a bunch of stair caps - 2x8 boards with a 15/32" plywood front to catch the step edge, non-slip mat underneath. Testing this thing out with a little under 600lb appliance I managed to dent the 2x8's pretty good. Better those boards than cracking the wood floor members free from the steps...
Manufacturers video:
Manufacturers video:
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