Great Tool For The Home-The Hand Truck
When using a Hand truck in your house, you have to take precautions that one does not have to be concerned with when using a hand truck in a warehouse. Scuff marks which are a non-issue in the warehouse become an issue at home, especially if you are doing a job for somebody else. We always want to avoid the possible complaints.
A hand truck is perfect for moving those heavy appliances around your home, but you really have to be careful. The hand truck is made up of metal, either steel or aluminum, and so is the appliance. The friction rubs metal on metal and you could end up scratching your brand new washing machine on the hand truck.
To prevent this kind of heartache, here is a simple solution. Take a piece of pipe insulation and cut it in half length wise. If you are in a generous mood take two pieces and make a slit downwards. Then take these two pieces and attach them to the side bars of your hand truck, using a strong tape to ensure that it won’t slip around during heavy use.
Although a hand truck has rubber tires and the rubber is soft, they have a tendency to pick up sand and grit. The grit then rubs into the floor, leaving marks and scratches behind. You will also need to protect the floor from the tires, especially if it is your brand new hardwood floor. One of the first things that you can do is to find a clean and flat piece of cardboard to put under the appliance. Disconnect the appliance beforehand and be sure to get every tube or cord connecting it to the wall before you try to pull it out of there. Tilt the appliance back and slide the cardboard underneath. Put another piece of cardboard down to protect the floor when going out the door.
It might sound a bit cumbersome and take extra time to lay down the cardboard but it is well worth it! You can also use a drop cloth which won’t slip away as easily as cardboard but because it is not as thik it doesn’t offer the same degree of protection. Also if using a cloth make sure someone holds it out taut or else you will just get all tied up in it.
Moving a heavy appliance through your house with a hand truck is quite a tedious job. However, it is easier to move an appliance with a hand truck than it is to tough it out and move the bulky machine yourself. Using a hand truck helps to prevent injury. You simply need to prepare your floor and your hand truck before you attempt to move a heavy item.
If you have heavier loads and are looking for full control the magliner 2 handle hand truck is a good choice. If you have lighter loads you might want to look at the magliner single handle hand truck