How to Use Heavy Duty Hand Trucks
In order to transport an item that is too heavy to lift from one location to another without injuring yourself, you can use a heavy duty hand truck. Knowing how to use a hand truck will help you move your item easily and safely, preventing any injuries to you or damage to the items. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Heavy duty hand truck
- Work gloves
- Weightlifter's back belt
- Heavy and/or bulky items to move
- Straps (optional)
Instructions
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1
Put on your weightlifter's back belt and work gloves.
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Plan the route you plan to walk, making sure there are no obstacles in the way. Take note of any steps.
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3
Bend at the knees, keeping your back straight, and lift one item at a time and place it on the hand truck. Put the heaviest items on the bottom front lip of the hand truck.
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4
Stack boxes side by side, if you must, but be sure to stagger them a bit to help lock them in better on the hand truck.
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Put your foot on the bottom back rung of the hand truck and your hands on the handle and tip the truck backwards slightly using your body weight.
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Push the hand truck forward, keeping the hand truck tilted at an angle, allowing the wheels to do the work and bear the weight.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid walking backwards and always push rather than pull to help protect your back.
To make sure your items stay on the hand truck, you may wish to strap them to the hand truck using straps or belts.
If you have back or other injuries, check with your doctor before attempting to move any heavy items to get an idea of what your weight limit should be.
Don't stack the items so high that you can't see over the hand truck.
References
- Photo Credit safety lable image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
