Manufacturers provide a large variety of platform carts and hand carts. Hand trucks are carts that you push by hand, and platform carts have a horizontal platform where you put the load. Most platform carts are also hand trucks, and many upright hand trucks also convert into platform carts when needed.

Platform hand truck frames are made of the following materials:

1. Steel hand trucks are the strongest, most durable and heaviest.

2. Steel pipe frames reduce the weight but maintain a hand truck’s durability.

3. Aluminum hand trucks cost and weigh less than steel, but won't hold as heavy a load.

4. Magnesium hand trucks are lightweight and durable.

5. Fiberglass platform hand trucks are rust-free, durable and lightweight.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a steel or aluminum platform hand cart for general use

Most vendors carry steel and aluminum platform hand carts. Look for features suited to your needs: a foldable one if you have a small office or a lightweight one if you will often lift it into a van or truck or move loads up stairs with it. Check the load capacity to make sure it will hold enough weight for your purposes.

I recommend: Choose from a variety of steel and aluminum hand carts at Global Equipment Company Inc. Purchase steel and aluminum hand carts from Cisco-Eagle, where they provide solutions for the movement, storage, retrieval, control and protection of materials and products.

Buy convertible or adjustable platform hand trucks if you have loads of many sizes

Convertible hand trucks carry loads in two positions: upright on two wheels, or horizontally on four wheels. They hold twice the weight in the four-wheel position than in the two-wheel position.

I recommend: Shoplet.com offers corporate accounts and carries a variety of hand trucks that convert into platform carts. Keysan also offers a large variety of convertible hand trucks and office and business supplies.

Order motorized and custom hand trucks for specialized needs

Motorized platform trucks are made for moving heavy objects like refrigerators. Several companies will build custom hand trucks for your specific needs if you can't find one that works well for you.

I recommend: Find motorized hand trucks and a selection of hand and platform trucks and carts at Hand Trucks 'R' Us, LLC. Choose from several self-propelled hand trucks and platform trucks at Hand Truck Central, where they have same day shipping on most items. Buy hand carts that also lift at HandTrucks.com.

Pick a flat platform hand truck for large loads that stay on the same level

Platform hand carts that always ride on all four wheels are a good choice if you have large loads that you move around a one-level warehouse. These types of carts are sturdy and often inexpensive. On the downside, they lack maneuverability and take up space when not in use.

I recommend: Obtain a number of different style platform carts from Business Supply, Inc., where they offer free next-day delivery to 95% of customers in the 48 contiguous United States. Choose from a large number of platform carts at InstaOffice.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Manufacturers classify hand trucks as heavy duty or standard. Choose a heavy duty platform hand truck if you will carry loads over 600 pounds.