Hand Truck vs Dolly – Detailed Comparison Guide
Moving an object can be an easy task when you are using the right carrier. Appliance dollies and hand trucks are both almost similar, but they are used in different fields. However, there are many differences between dolly and hand trucks from the built quality to load capacity.
Both are portable and versatile, and they’re both great for transporting heavy objects. If you’ve ever needed to move a washing machine, refrigerator, or dishwasher, then you know that these items are notoriously heavy. You can either use a hand truck or an appliance dolly to help you lift them and maneuver them around your home. In this article, we’ll compare and contrast the pros and cons of using each one. Let’s get started.
What is an Appliance Dolly?
An appliance dolly is a four-wheeled carrier that is mainly used to move heavyweight, bulky items like washing machines, refrigerators, stoves, and dryers from one place to another easily. It also has security straps that hold heavy things and help to move safely.
A dolly is typically used for carrying items that are small and easy to handle. They are perfect for transporting heavy loads that require a dolly for proper handling. These include grocery bags, cleaning supplies, and boxes. The most important thing when using a dolly is to make sure you are lifting with your legs, not your back. This will help you avoid injury and also make the work go faster. You can get a dolly at a store that sells baby products.
Benefits of Dollies
- A large and heavy load can be easily transported
- You can move items that you cannot move with a hand truck
- Dollies are very portable, easy to store, carry, and assemble
- You can transport heavier items than a hand truck
- It is more stable than a hand truck
- Dollies are great for moving heavy items around the house like lumber, pallets, boxes, or even tires
- It is convenient to use and does not require a lot of work
- They are very sturdy and are built to last.
What is a Hand Truck?
A hand truck is an “L” shaped upright piece of equipment specially designed to simply move medium and large boxes. It has many designs for use in different fields, and it is specially used in transferring goods from different factory stores.
Hand trucks have many advantages. First of all, they are easy to use. Just put the load you want to move onto the platform, and the hand truck will roll easily. They are also very stable, so you don’t have to worry about your load falling. The hand truck is ideal for moving large items. It can be used to move small furniture, like a bed or chair, but it can also be used for big items, like appliances or large pieces of furniture. It is not ideal for transporting small things, like books or boxes. The load must be heavy enough to carry the hand truck. There are different types of hand trucks such as:
- Hand trucks with handles and wheels – These are the most popular because they are easier to use and have many styles to choose from.
- Hand trucks with castors – These are popular for use in offices or homes because they can be moved easily, even on rough surfaces. You can find these in chrome, polished nickel, black, and white.
- Hand carts – These are also known as Hand carts, dollies, and Hand trucks.
Benefits of Hand Truck
- They are a versatile and cost-effective option for moving different types of items
- The design makes it easier to carry items around the home, such as grocery bags, laundry baskets, toys, and boxes
- The hand truck is also safe for children to use
- They can be used with or without a dolly
- The hand truck is a great tool for moving smaller items
- You don’t need a dolly
- The hand truck can be used to help make carrying a baby more comfortable
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- The hand truck can be used to lift items up and downstairs
- Easy to use
- The hand truck is cheaper than the dolly.
Comparison of Appliance Dolly vs Hand Truck
In this section, we will explain part by part in detail, what is the difference between a hand truck and a dolly in detail, so let’s get started.
Load Capacity
The appliance dolly is several times ahead of hand trucks in terms of load capacity. There are many reasons for this. The appliance dolly is made with heavy appliances, bulky and heavy work in mind like dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators, due to which its load capacity is much higher than that of a regular dolly or hand truck.
Regular appliance dolly has a minimum load capacity of 700 to 900 pounds, but many appliance dollies have different load capacities depending on model and industry. On the other hand, the minimum load capacity of hand trucks is 150 to 200 pounds, while some other model hand trucks have a slightly higher load capacity.
Usability
You may already have at least a little bit realized about appliance dolly and hand truck usability. Appliance Dolly has been created to do the work of moving household appliances, and large industry items. You can easily move different medium and heavy appliances using it.
However, the appliance dolly has a downside; when any extra heavy items are transferred with its help, two people have to handle it together. One has to push, and the other has to hold the objects carefully to balance things.
On the other hand, you can use a hand truck in the field of regular moving tasks. It is not a perfect option for heavy objects like refrigerators, but you can easily use the hand truck to move heavy box items from one place to another. Its usage is very simple; only one person can easily manage it.
Maneuverability and Mobility
Appliance dollies are designed with large, sturdy wheels that enhance maneuverability on different surfaces. The wheels are usually made of rubber or pneumatic material, providing traction and shock absorption, making it easier to move heavy items smoothly. However, due to their size and weight, appliance dollies may require more effort to maneuver in tight spaces or navigate stairs.
Hand trucks, on the other hand, are highly maneuverable due to their compact design and smaller wheels. The two-wheel configuration allows for easy navigation through narrow hallways, doorways, and staircases. Hand trucks are well-suited for both indoor and outdoor use, and their smaller size makes them more agile in tight spaces.
Durability
When you are comparing any tools, durability, and quality matter first. There is a lot of difference in the build quality and durability of appliance dolly vs hand truck. Appliance truck is made especially for heavy objects, due to which their built quality is made with comparatively many high-quality materials.
With the L-shaped metal structure of the appliance dolly, its two durable and comfortable separate handlebars will help to push heavy things easily.
On the other hand, hand trucks are also made of durable metal to easily carry medium and heavy things. In the maximum field, it is used to carry heavy boxes, due to which most hand truck models are designed with a combination of durable materials. However, in terms of durability, it lags behind the appliance truck.
Security
Because appliance dolly is used for carrying heavy goods, manufacturers have given much importance to security in making it. There are security straps on one side of the appliance dolly so that you can safely move your sensitive heavy objects. When you load any goods in it, put it in perfect positioning and set the satraps in it. You can then safely move to any location without any difficulties.
On the other hand, as a hand truck dolly is usually used for moving regular items and does not carry any heavy items, that’s why it does not include any safety straps or systems.
Storage and Costing
There is a big difference between hand trucks and dollies in terms of cost. Since hand truck dolly is used for regular work in most fields, their load capacity and comparatively much less e due to which their price is much less than appliance dolly. Appliance dolly has huge features and outstanding load capacity, so their price is very high.
The hand dolly is a very convenient and compact size so that it can be easily stored in any tight space after use. On the other hand, the appliance dolly is a bit bigger, which requires a little more space than the hand truck for storage.
Safety and Stability
Both appliance dollies and hand trucks prioritize safety and stability during the moving process. However, appliance dollies provide additional features that enhance safety for moving appliances. The adjustable straps or clamps on appliance dollies ensure that the items remain securely in place, minimizing the risk of accidents or damage during transportation.
Hand trucks, although not equipped with built-in straps or clamps, provide stability through proper weight distribution. By tilting the hand truck backward, the weight of the load is centered on the wheels, allowing for balanced and secure movement. Users can also use additional securing straps or bungee cords to further stabilize the load on a hand truck.
Here’s a table that contrasts some essential features of appliance dollies with hand trucks:
| Features | Appliance Dolly | Hand Truck |
|---|---|---|
| Load Capacity | Higher load capacity, typically 600-1,200 lbs | Lower load capacity, typically 400-800 lbs |
| Maneuverability | Slightly less maneuverable, especially on stairs and tight spaces | Highly maneuverable, ideal for navigating narrow areas and stairs |
| Versatility | Specialized in moving heavy appliances | Versatile, suitable for various items like furniture and boxes |
| Safety and Stability | Adjustable straps or clamps for secure transport | Requires proper weight distribution and additional securing |
| Ease of Use and Ergonomics | Ergonomic handles and grips for comfortable maneuvering | Ergonomic handles for optimal grip and control |
| Pricing | Generally higher due to specialized design and added features | Generally lower, offering a cost-effective moving solution |
Conclusion
There are many advantages and disadvantages to both the hand truck and dolly. You should decide which one is better for your needs and budget. If you’re considering buying a hand truck or dolly, it’s a good idea to learn how to operate each one. The most important thing you should consider when purchasing a hand truck or dolly is the quality of the materials used.
