Sack trucks have been around since the industrial revolution and were used to move large sacks of spices around the docks. As this was usually the job of young boys, the simple L-shaped sack truck with two wheels was invented to allow the children single handedly move goods much heavier than they could carry. That design has survived and is still in use today. There have also been further design developments resulting in numerous material handling trucks more suited to specific tasks.

This guide is to offer some insight into the various sack trucks available and advice on making the right purchase. We’ve been supplying them since 1970 so have picked up plenty of knowledge about them along the way!

Sack trucks are constructed from different materials and have varying wheeling, footplates, handles and capacities. While a standard sack truck may suffice for most jobs, on closer inspection of the type of work being carried out, a more suited model can often be found, resulting in a cost effective solution as it speeds up the task at hand. Another benefit is much less operator fatigue and risk of injury, resulting in little or no downtime.

The first consideration is to decide what you want the sack truck to do. The answer to this may seem quite vague but with more detailed questions, we can build up a picture of which model might be best suited for the task. Here are some considerations to ponder regarding the goods to be carried and where it will be used:

1. Are there any kerbs, ramps or narrow doors to navigate?
2. Are there any stairs to negotiate?
3. What type of floor surfaces will it be used on?
4. What size are the items to be moved?
5. What weight are the goods?
6. Are the goods robust or delicate?

You may be able to work out which type of sack truck meets your requirements from the comparison notes. If any assistance is needed with making your decision, free advice is available, so take advantage of this and save some time.

 

Steel v Aluminium
Sack trucks are generally constructed with either steel or aluminium sections. Mild steel is strong and durable, which means it is suitable for the tubular, angle iron or box section frames of a sack truck. Aluminium is also strong but more lightweight, so an aluminium truck will be much lighter than the mild steel version, which will make it easier to move around and therefore more suitable for lifting and transporting, being ideal for delivery drivers. Aluminium is also rust-resistant, so it will stand up to wet or corrosive conditions better than a steel version. However, being as it’s not as strong as steel, the highest capacity trucks are the mild steel models and these, if well looked after, will last for years!

 

 

Folding toe v Fixed toe
The toe plate or foot plate of a sack truck is the load bearing point, so it is important to establish the fixed load capacity. A fixed toe plate is likely to be heavier duty and capable of holding a greater load and being that it does not need to be folded down, is obviously ready for immediate use. If your truck is being used for a range of different load items then it’s normally advisable to use a folding toe sack truck, as this offers more versatility and takes up less space when stored.

 

 

Solid wheels v Pneumatic wheels
Sack trucks are usually fitted with either solid rubber or pneumatic wheels. Pneumatic wheels are air-filled and can be pumped up like bicycle and car tyres. This makes them more suitable for use on uneven ground or when in contact with kerbs, as they will absorb bumps and make the truck much easier to use. Solid rubber wheels are not air-filled. This means that they cannot puncture if they hit something sharp, nor will they deflate over time or constant use. A solid rubber wheel is more suitable for use over flat warehouse floors or when the surface is smooth and hard, but naturally they would not be great on uneven ground. There are also foam filled rubber tyres and a number of other options which include nylon, polyurethane or even cast iron wheels, which were once popular down at the docks.

 

 

Stair climber wheels
These are designed and fitted with a stair climber three wheeled system aligned in a triangular shaped steel bracket. This format means that there will always be a wheel in contact with the stair to be climbed. The truck will literally climb up each step as it is pulled by the operator. The wheels are designed to work on a wide range of step sizes and there are even electric motor versions available to take the strain out of extra heavy load operations.