Working on a dock involves a lot of unloading and loading. To make these activities less stressful and physically demanding, you'll need a hand truck. Choosing the perfect one for dock-related activities is easy thanks to this buying guide. 

Design

Hand trucks vary a lot in terms of their design. Two of the most popular options include upright and convertible. An upright hand truck simply stays vertical, which is ideal if your dock activities require you to transport cargo boxes. To get them moving, you simply have to push back on them and move forward.

Convertible hand trucks can be moved vertically or horizontally, depending on what you plan on hauling on the dock. As mentioned earlier, the vertical design works great for boxes. However, if you need to transport large dock items that are irregularly shaped, then you'll want to use the horizontal design. You'll have more space to work with and four wheels for added stability.

Condition 

The condition of the dock hand truck you select is another impactful factor to consider. You can save a lot of money when you buy used hand trucks, but they may not be in perfect condition. You'll thus have to spend some time inspecting used hand trucks from top to bottom -- making sure they're structurally sound and capable of holding a lot of weight. 

If you want to circumvent a rigorous inspection, you should consider buying new hand trucks. They'll be in much better condition and are often easier to move. You'll just need to make sure these new hand trucks work for your budget. 

Special Features 

Since you're investing your hard-earned money into this dock tool, it's important to get the most out of it. You can when you think about the features you want this hand truck to have. You can't go wrong with hand trucks that have textured surfaces. They enable boxes and other cargo items to stay put while the hand truck is moving. 

Another way to ensure your cargo items stay put on the hand truck is selecting one that has adjustable straps. They'll wrap around items and keep them in place. In terms of the hand truck's construction, think about going with stainless steel. This material is extremely durable and can support a lot of weight. It also won't fall victim to rust.

There are so many quality hand trucks you can purchase on the market. For dock-related activities, pay attention to certain factors like specs, condition, and overall design. You'll then be able to make the perfect selection. 

Check out websites like http://www.commercialhardwaregroup.com for more information on purchasing dock equipment.