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A hand truck is a small, hand-propelled vehicle designed for transporting materials. It allows for mechanized pickup and deposit of loads, reducing manual labor in lifting and moving items.1

There are two main types of hand trucks:

  • Two-wheel hand trucks: These require the operator to balance some of the load. Examples include trucks for barrels, boxes, and paper rolls.1
  • Four-wheel hand trucks: These come in various forms, such as dollies, flat trucks, carts, and wagons. Some also feature mechanical or hydraulic lifting mechanisms.1

Hand trucks are a classification of industrial trucks, which are carriers used for flexible material transport within areas like factories. The term "hand truck" was first used in 1920.12

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. hand truck
  2. industrial truck
  3. hand trucks

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