Hand trucks are an extremely useful piece of equipment in many situations, from removal firms transporting boxes to and from their trucks, to being in almost constant use in store buildings and warehouses. Where ever there is a need to move heavy boxes and similar items, they can improve efficiency, while also preventing back injuries and strain that can be caused by people having to lift and transport these items themselves.

All these factors considered it is not surprising that care needs to be taken when choosing the right hand truck to suit individual needs. A major consideration is which material is best suited to the situation in hand. Steel hand trucks are extremely durable and strong, but are also comparatively heavy, steel tubing frames are often reinforced with flat braces and are also hard wearing but are lighter weight. As steel is prone to rust it must be coated in protective paint and care should be taken if this coating is damaged, especially if it is likely to be exposed to rain or damp. A lighter alternative to steel is aluminium; it is also beneficial in that it does not rust in the same way. Availability of materials will vary on the style of hand truck chosen (some are foldable and some can also be used as a four wheeled truck with a flat base for larger objects). If very bulky or heavy items are being transported, it may be worth checking if straps are included to help attach loads.

Tyres used in manual warehouse equipment are often solid rubber; these tyres tend to last a long time, do not require much maintenance and do not ‘squat' lower than usual when bearing a lot of weight. Pneumatic tyres can be found on some hand trucks. They are better at absorbing shock from uneven surfaces and therefore make transporting items smoother, and pushing the load easier. The pneumatic tyre is also quieter in motion for this reason. In order to ensure these tyres are correctly inflated at all times, users should make sure a tyre pressure gauge and pump is readily available. A variety of handle styles can also be considered before a final selection is made. Although not always practical, some may even go as far as requesting a custom hand truck be specially made to meet their needs.

When using a chosen hand truck, it is important to follow manufacturer guidelines on maximum load capacities and general safe usage. When stacking loads, a lower centre of gravity is preferable, this means heavy loads should be placed underneath lighter ones. This is of course just common sense but is worth mentioning in the interests of safety – both of items being moved and people! When a user's visibility is impaired by tall loads, assistance should be sought to avoid unnecessary accidents. All that is needed is for someone to walk a distance ahead and remove objects that may be in the way, help navigate and advise any people in the vicinity to keep a safe distance. Using the correct hand truck can make manual transporting of items much easier, safer and quicker.