When it comes to material handling, having the right piece of equipment to hand can save you time, energy, and potentially reduce the risk of a lifting related accident.
Sack trucks are a diverse tool that can be used in a variety of load handling situations and can make the transportation of various goods easier, faster, and safer. If you’re on the hunt for a sack truck, you may be wondering how you can determine which sack truck is right for you.
There’s a surprising amount to take into consideration when it comes to sack trucks, and there are a number of different features that differentiate one sack truck from another.
Buyers Guide - Things to Consider
What are the most important factors to consider when selecting a sack truck? What are the right questions to be asking?
Wheels
Sack trucks are available with a variety of different wheel options, each made to endure different environments and conditions.
A few of the different options available when it comes to wheels include:
- Pneumatic wheels
- Puncture-proof wheels
- Solid rubber wheels
- 3-Wheel Climbers
Lifting Capacity
When it comes to sack trucks it might be easy to think that ‘bigger is better’ and just go for the sack truck that can handle the heaviest load. However, it’s worth noting that lifting capacity has a lot of effects on other aspects of a sack truck, such as the material it’s made out of, the wheels, and the price, so it’s generally recommended to stick with a sack truck closely aligned with your anticipated needs.
Additional Note: Although some sack trucks have more impressive maximum lifting capacities than others, it’s worth noting that a percentage of this weight will still be borne by the user. Using a sack truck that is capable of transferring 300kg will be of no use to you if you’re not physically able to pull the load back onto its wheels and transport it around. Moving heavy loads can potentially result in injury: read our blog 'How to Use Sack Trucks Safely' for helpful guidance.
Special Terrain/Load Needs
When selecting a sack truck, it’s important to think about where and how you’re going to be using it.
- If you’re looking for a sack truck for use in a warehouse with lots of steps, you might be interested in opting for a stair climber.
- If you’re working in an environment where the space is very limited or need to transport your sack truck around with you (e.g. in a car), you might benefit from using a compact folding sack truck to help save storage space.
- If your anticipated environment has a rough floor covered in sharp debris, you’re probably better off making use of a sack truck with puncture-proof tyres.
- If you work in a variety of different environments and need a sack truck that's as flexible as you are, a 3 way sack truck might be worth considering - they can be used as a trolley as well as a sack truck.
- If you're anticipating transporting larger-than-average loads, a sack truck with folding plate extensions will be perfect since they allow for larger loads to be comfortably loaded onto the plate.
Material
Sack trucks are most commonly made out of either steel or aluminium. Each material has its own strengths and weaknesses.
- Steel is a strong and durable material, and is commonly used in sack trucks with heavy lifting capacities.
- Aluminium is a more lightweight material, and as such makes a more manoeuvrable sack truck that’s easy to lift and carry.
If you’re looking for a sack truck that’s better suited to lifting heavy loads, we’d recommend opting for a steel frame. If you need an easy to lift sack truck that handles well, aluminium is the best option for you.
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These are a few of the most important factors the differentiate sack trucks from each other, and we hope our guide has helped you to determine what type of sack truck is right for you. If you’re ready to browse the range of sack trucks available from SafetyLiftinGear, click the link down below.
Browse Sack Trucks
Read More: Heavy Duty Sack Trucks from SafetyLiftinGear.com
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