What is a Folding Sack Truck?

The term folding sack truck is mostly used in the United Kingdom (UK) to mean the hand-maneuverable, wheeled, metal materials transporter called a "dolly" in other parts of the world. Since the wheeled device is directed along by the hands, it's also known as a hand truck. "Two wheel dolly" and "hand cart" are other common names for the folding sack truck. When not in use, folding hand trucks can usually be folded in a fairly compact size for storing.

Industrial folding sack trucks are made of heavy duty metal, while household and office versions are more lightweight. The frame of both types may be completely open in the center, or it may have metal supporting bars. The top of the rectangular metal frame serves as the handle, while the bottom holds a shelf-shaped toe plate. The toe plate is the loading platform of the folding sack truck; on either side of this flat, rectangular piece is a wheel. The wheels on top-quality commercial folding sack trucks are strong tires designed to move easily over uneven or rough surfaces.

Some types of industrial folding sack truck can be converted into other functions. For instance, a wheeled dolly may have two smaller wheels near the handle to transform it into a trolley cart. The handle can be lowered down so that the extra wheels touch the ground and are parallel to the larger tires. The hollow frame then provides a horizontal surface for carrying a load of materials.

Some sack trucks have adjustable features such as a movable hollow plastic square that can be positioned near the handle to hold a commercial trash bag. The hand cart then becomes a temporary garbage container for heavy scraps of metal or other materials at a construction site. Although many folding sack trucks are black or silver in color, some are available in red so that they are more visible at a job site.

Many different industries use folding hand carts or sack trucks. Moving companies use them regularly for transporting a customer's belongings from an old residence to the new one. A heavy duty commercial sack truck can hold a heavy stack of moving boxes on its toe plate platform. Appliance delivery workers use folding sack trucks made especially for large appliances such as freezers and dishwashers. Some moving dollies have specially designed wheels that allow them to be used up and down stairs.