(Topic ID: 185220)

Best hand truck under $100

By Nokoro

7 years ago


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  • Latest reply 2 years ago by Miguel351
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    There are 54 posts in this topic. You are on page 1 of 2.
    #1 7 years ago

    I would like to get a hand truck for moving pins. I don't plan to be moving a lot of them. Just occasionally getting one into or out of my basement. What is your favorite reasonably priced hand truck for the occasional move? Thanks!

    #2 7 years ago
    Quoted from Nokoro:

    I would like to get a hand truck for moving pins. I don't plan to be moving a lot of them. Just occasionally getting one into or out of my basement. What is your favorite reasonably priced hand truck for the occasional move? Thanks!

    a good new one is going to go for over $100 so look for a used one with stair treads. craigslist?? just moved four water heats with mine. multipurpose tool

    #3 7 years ago

    Keep an eye on Craigslist for a good used one.

    About a year ago a used Yeats popped up in my area, two straps, $75.

    Search for appliance dolly, appliance cart.

    LTG : )

    #5 7 years ago

    You want something light.

    I bought a used Stevens Appliance Co. Escort Model MRT-2R off CL a few years back for $75. It is magnesium. They sell for $550 new.

    I've used it a lot over the past 5 years. Pulled furnaces and water heaters up the stairs as well.

    #6 7 years ago

    I got an appliance dolly with the said stair rollers for $50 on Craigslist. Best $50 ever.

    #7 7 years ago

    Big Wheels and 55 bucks. Might want to run a strap around the pin a time or two, but works great and has many uses. http://www.harborfreight.com/700-lb-capacity-bigfoot-hand-truck-62974.html

    #8 7 years ago
    Quoted from dozer1:

    Big Wheels and 55 bucks. Might want to run a strap around the pin a time or two, but works great and has many uses. http://www.harborfreight.com/700-lb-capacity-bigfoot-hand-truck-62974.html

    I use this one too. Works fine for wheeling pins around inside and outside. I've also used it to haul pins up sets of stairs a few times--the big wheels help. However, when I do that, I take off the backbox and remove the playfield from the cabinet, and just use the hand tuck for the cab and backbox (and strap them to it), and hand carry the playfield.

    You can also take off the wheels, so it's easier to store.

    An escalera would be much, much easier and less time consuming, but that piece of equipment is also rather expensive.

    #10 7 years ago

    Great thread. Thanks for the info all.

    #12 7 years ago

    Wow, thanks for all the suggestions. This is great. I'll check out Craigslist and some of these other new listings.

    Quoted from barakandl:

    so look for a used one with stair treads.

    What are stair treads? Are they those oval belts on the back that help hold it over stairs?

    Quoted from ForceFlow:

    I use this one too. Works fine for wheeling pins around inside and outside. I've also used it to haul pins up sets of stairs a few times--the big wheels help. However, when I do that, I take off the backbox and remove the playfield from the cabinet, and just use the hand tuck for the cab and backbox (and strap them to it), and hand carry the playfield.
    You can also take off the wheels, so it's easier to store.

    Just curious, but why do you take the playfield out. I'm looking for something that I can use without too much trouble. Is there a reason why you feel you need to take the playfield out when using this one?

    Quoted from Titan_Pinball:

    I know it's over $100 but this one has been really great so far
    http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200624027_200624027

    That looks awesome! It may be worth the money. Here's a slightly cheaper priced one from the same company: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200624020_200624020

    That one might work, though you don't get the extra set of wheels.

    #13 7 years ago
    Quoted from dozer1:

    Big Wheels and 55 bucks. Might want to run a strap around the pin a time or two, but works great and has many uses. http://www.harborfreight.com/700-lb-capacity-bigfoot-hand-truck-62974.html

    Ditto on this, great helper for the price.
    Moved 2 EMs including my HEAVY Jet Spin with this - great tires make maneuvering a breeze.
    (Until you get that stair-climber, of course!)

    #14 7 years ago
    Quoted from Nokoro:

    Just curious, but why do you take the playfield out. I'm looking for something that I can use without too much trouble. Is there a reason why you feel you need to take the playfield out when using this one?

    Main reason is that you can move it by yourself. Also much less risk of losing control.

    #15 7 years ago
    Quoted from dothedoo:

    Main reason is that you can move it by yourself. Also much less risk of losing control.

    Yep (I imagine that is what Forceflow was talking about) Unless you have a pretty nice rig such as am escalera, moving a pin should be a 2 man job. Especially if the head folds down and PF left inside. Bring a buddy or ask seller if he can help or provide a helper.

    #16 7 years ago
    Quoted from Gryszzz:

    Great thread. Thanks for the info all.

    Agreed. I have about 20 steps to the basement and every one is a month off my life for each pin, especially going up.

    #17 7 years ago

    FYI, on my 3rd one, love the cart, but stair belts break off.

    #18 7 years ago
    Quoted from Nokoro:

    Just curious, but why do you take the playfield out. I'm looking for something that I can use without too much trouble. Is there a reason why you feel you need to take the playfield out when using this one?

    Weight. The cabinet body isn't quite as heavy when you remove the playfield. Less weight means it's easier to haul up the stairs. And since I've already disconnected everything from the backbox, disconnecting the remaining cables for the playfield is fairly trivial.

    Once the cabinet is up the stairs, I put the playfield back in.

    #19 7 years ago

    Excellent thread. Been researching this as well.

    #20 7 years ago
    Quoted from ForceFlow:

    Weight. The cabinet body isn't quite as heavy when you remove the playfield. Less weight means it's easier to haul up the stairs. And since I've already disconnected everything from the backbox, disconnecting the remaining cables for the playfield is fairly trivial.
    Once the cabinet is up the stairs, I put the playfield back in.

    I've done this a number of times both for stairs and for narrow doorways. Hate taking backbox off and pulling all those cables + the pf coming out is usually damn heavy and can be sketchy. However, it's near impossible to go up stairs with everything together with 1 person and traditional handyruvk. I wouldn't go down solo either.. while it's a breeze to move the empty cab. Bigger wheels always help with stairs

    #21 7 years ago

    Big mistake to cheap out on this. You need a quality appliance mover with ratchet strap and stair treads.

    Low end quality USA-made you are looking at about $250. If you buy one of the super cheap ones you'll be sorry. I've seen busted treads, bent axles, and wheels falling apart after only a move or two on cheap ones.

    Doesn't matter if you are only moving a couple of pins a year or dozens - you want the right tool for the job.

    #22 7 years ago

    If you are going up or down stairs, I would recommend checking to see if you have a moving equipment type store that rents Escalera stair climbers. I used to use an appliance dolly that I got from Harbor Freight, which sufficed, for anything outside of going up stairs. I then found a moving equipment store that rented Escalera's for $35/day (bonus is that you won't have to store it when not in use).

    If you're not going up any stairs, the appliance dolly from Harbor Freight is hard to beat with the 20% off coupon.

    #23 7 years ago
    Quoted from Titan_Pinball:

    I know it's over $100 but this one has been really great so far
    http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200624027_200624027

    Man... I was going to order this(thanks for the link!) but shipping is $96 to my house. Dang. Been using a hand truck I bought 20 years ago and would love to upgrade to the kick stand type. Maybe one day...

    #24 7 years ago

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KS6FBNM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

    I've been looking to upgrade mine to this one that has the kick out to tilt the hand truck back. I brought a couple games to Magfest this past year and they let me use one to move my machines...wow what a difference! It was a breeze!

    #25 7 years ago

    Should have known to look at Amazon. Same hand truck... $60 less for shipping. Thanks EV.

    #26 7 years ago

    I've been watching this thread now to see all of the suggestions. Interesting to see the different solutions for moving games. Here is mine. If you are going to be in this hobby just go ahead and buy the Escalera now. I know I sell them and am biased. But after years and years of selling them, being at shows and moving lots of games myself this is what I hear most.

    "Thanks Larry for selling me the Escalera. I should have done it years ago."

    I started out over 30 years ago moving games with brute muscle, then an appliance dolly then finally an Escalera. Best thing I ever did as well. I've had the back surgery and know what that feels like. Save your body and go ahead and get it now. In the long run its cheaper. Then at the next show you can tell me how easy it makes moving anything, not just games.

    Larry
    flipnoutpinball.com

    #27 6 years ago
    Quoted from dothedoo:

    Main reason is that you can move it by yourself. Also much less risk of losing control.

    Ah, thanks. I should have mentioned that I don't intend to move a pin by myself. I would always have one or two buddies to help. I still want a decent but not expensive hand truck to smooth the process of getting it up and down the stairs. I've tried the carrying method, and it is not fun.

    Do people have an opinion as to whether it is better to get one with big wheels or one with a stair belt? It sounds like the stair belts on the cheaper models don't last, so perhaps I'm better off getting one with big wheels . . . .

    #28 6 years ago
    Quoted from Nokoro:

    Ah, thanks. I should have mentioned that I don't intend to move a pin by myself. I would always have one or two buddies to help. I still want a decent but not expensive hand truck to smooth the process of getting it up and down the stairs. I've tried the carrying method, and it is not fun.
    Do people have an opinion as to whether it is better to get one with big wheels or one with a stair belt? It sounds like the stair belts on the cheaper models don't last, so perhaps I'm better off getting one with big wheels . . . .

    I can't speak for the stair belt, but with a hand truck on wheels, I can stop and pause while going up if I need to adjust my grip, or the load, or just rest for a moment.

    That said, it's harder go down the stairs (safely) with a hand truck than it is to go up.

    #29 6 years ago
    Quoted from Nokoro:

    Ah, thanks. I should have mentioned that I don't intend to move a pin by myself. I would always have one or two buddies to help. I still want a decent but not expensive hand truck to smooth the process of getting it up and down the stairs. I've tried the carrying method, and it is not fun.
    Do people have an opinion as to whether it is better to get one with big wheels or one with a stair belt? It sounds like the stair belts on the cheaper models don't last, so perhaps I'm better off getting one with big wheels . . . .

    All 3 of my appliance dollies have seen more games than just about anyone will ever move . Every game goes up and down a 3/4ths flight of stairs coming in and out of my game room. I own the one sold by harbor freight, one by Harper, and one by Amazon listed above. Never once had a issue with the tred.

    The tred allows me to slide a full game down the stairs myself (me at the bottom). The tred also allows me to pull it up myself.

    I would never get one of those big wheel trucks. No balance. No straps. No stability.

    #30 6 years ago
    Quoted from the96stang:

    All 3 of my appliance dollies have seen more games than just about anyone will ever move . Every game goes up and down a 3/4ths flight of stairs coming in and out of my game room. I own the one sold by harbor freight, one by Harper, and one by Amazon listed above. Never once had a issue with the tred.

    Nice. Thanks. How does the Harbor Freight one compare to the other two in quality, etc.?

    #32 6 years ago
    Quoted from Nokoro:

    Nice. Thanks. How does the Harbor Freight one compare to the other two in quality, etc.?

    I prefer the other 2. The other 2 only have 1 strap on them. Makes it easier to strap up. The other 2 are also about 2 inches wider at the handles. That width adds stability that allows me to leave a game strapped up when I load it into my truck.

    #33 6 years ago
    Quoted from Nokoro:

    Ah, thanks. I should have mentioned that I don't intend to move a pin by myself. I would always have one or two buddies to help. I still want a decent but not expensive hand truck to smooth the process of getting it up and down the stairs. I've tried the carrying method, and it is not fun.
    Do people have an opinion as to whether it is better to get one with big wheels or one with a stair belt? It sounds like the stair belts on the cheaper models don't last, so perhaps I'm better off getting one with big wheels . . . .

    Get the small wheel cart with the stair belts just make sure the belts turn .The big wheel cart work fine outside but suck on stairs if you plan on stairs stay away from those

    #34 6 years ago

    http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_21082_21082

    I use this hand truck at work or hard cement and tile floors and it works great. We have an elevator to move the heavy furniture between floors. I move file heavy 4 draw file cabinets, big cabinets and it is really nice with the extra support back wheels that hold the weight, so you don't have to balance it all the time. Probably great with two people going up or down a flight of stairs, but moving a machine by yourself going up or down is no joke depending on your size and strength. Getting older is not helping me either.

    With one person going up and down a set of stairs (my house 13 steps), I use to move my machines with my friend (who is better shape than me) and it was not fun. A good pair or rubber tacky gloves feels better on your fingers when lifting the machine with or without a hand truck. You don't hear your fingers screaming as much. I finally bought a Escalara had truck from Larry at Flipnoutpinball.com. Went with the middle height model. Yes it is a expensive purchase, but let me tell you, well worth the money when you factor in your back. I don't have to rely on my friend as often. I moved two pinball machines and two arcade machines without him, and I still broke out in a sweat. It would have been nice to have someone there to guide you. Still not easy moving it by yourself. Going down with the machine makes me more nervous than going up. Feels like you are going to get pulled down, but you just have to get use to your footing and keeping the weight balance and not fighting with it. More nerve racking not having the extra help, but can't always find help when you need help. Always good to buy and have a few extra ratchet straps on hand. Depending on the surface (indoors or out doors) makes a difference on the wheels you balance and pivot on. Hard rubber wheels compared to inflatable wheels makes a difference going over thresholds and door saddles, curbs, gravel. All things to factor in. Hope this info helps.

    #35 6 years ago

    All terrain capabilities is where the big wheel dolly shines. Not stopping on a pebble that is on a driveway is a big selling point to me. There are advantages and disadvantages to any of these units mentioned. All terrain was a huge factor for me. Stability, balance, a strap (which I have a few of) are not issues with the thing.

    Whatever you decide on, it will get the job done as long as you have an extra guy like you mentioned. Makes it MUCH safer.

    1 month later
    #36 6 years ago

    I've been monitoring CL for a while, but haven't seen one pop up near me that fits the bill. I'm leaning towards the small wheel one from Harbor Freight with the stair treads. One more question: the toe plate looks pretty small / narrow on it. I assume it is sufficient to hold a pin? For those who have used it, did you have to add anything to it?

    #37 6 years ago

    Honestly, I got my hand truck out of the trash. It's the most ordinary, beat up hand truck out there. Slapped on a new pair of wheels from harbor freight, taped on some pipe insulator to protect the game from the metal of the hand truck, and it's been good to me ever since. Total investment: $10. I've moved every single one of my games into/out of my basement, and I haven't had a problem. Sure, there's probably a gazillion better options, but I don't move enough games around to really justify needing something brand new and fancy.

    1 week later
    #38 6 years ago

    I bought the Harbor Freight one today. With a 25% off Mother's Day coupon, I couldn't pass it up. $70 total including taxes.

    The only thing I didn't read carefully enough until I got it home is that even though it has a 600 lb. capacity, it says that it only has a 250 lb. capacity if using the stair treads. I imagine that is enough for most pins and even if you go over a bit, it will be ok. Not sure about my WOZ though (though I have no current plans to get rid of it) which weighs a lot more.

    #39 6 years ago
    Quoted from Nokoro:

    The only thing I didn't read carefully enough until I got it home is that even though it has a 600 lb. capacity, it says that it only has a 250 lb. capacity if using the stair treads. I imagine that is enough for most pins and even if you go over a bit, it will be ok.

    I have the exact same handtruck. I've moved probably a dozen pins now up and down stairs without a single issue. Belts are holding up well.

    #40 6 years ago
    Quoted from GLSP3022:

    I have the exact same handtruck. I've moved probably a dozen pins now up and down stairs without a single issue. Belts are holding up well.

    Great to know! Thanks!

    2 weeks later
    #41 6 years ago

    Just moved my first pin with the Harbor Freight truck. It went great. Very smooth getting it downstairs into my basement.

    It is much harder getting pins upstairs. My short pull up the front steps made me realize that. My next test will be getting one out of my basement.

    #42 6 years ago

    Just an FYI for the HarborFreight handtruck. The wheels WILL break eventually. I've had to replace both.

    Buy this wheel :
    https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-rubber-heavy-duty-rigid-caster-61647.html

    Take it apart. Pop out the center hub.

    Take off your old wheel, pop out the center hub. Put it in the new wheel.

    Re-assemble.

    #43 6 years ago

    Yeah -- pins do fine with gravity assisting -- but they are a bitch going up stairs, esp. with small wheels on the hand truck.

    1 year later
    #44 5 years ago

    I'm looking at getting the Harbor Freight appliance mover priced at $90. I just have a curb, three or four porch steps, and the step into my house. I'm guessing this would be more than adequate for moving even a heavy pin like a JJP?

    Prior, I'd used an ultra cheapy $40 truck that had inflatable tires that entirely deflated as we moved it. It felt like moving dead weight. Never making that mistake again!

    8 months later
    #45 4 years ago

    I recently moved two more pins with the Harbor Freight truck. It’s still doing a decent job.

    #46 4 years ago

    Harper hand trucks. A Phil Ruffin enterprise.

    3 weeks later
    #47 4 years ago

    2 years ago I recommended a Harbor Freight big wheel hand truck to this thread on post #7. The link still works I see, and the item is on clearance right now. That was my hand truck of choice until today. It still is a good choice, but I sold mine and picked up one of these from Northern Tool. It still has the big wheels which are important to me, but has an extra long frame, which is good for pin use. Also has an oversized toe plate, which may not matter for pins, but could come in handy for many other things. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200737650_200737650?cm_mmc=Google-LIA&utm_source=Google_LIA&utm_medium=Material%20Handling%20%3E%20Hand%20%2B%20Utility%20Trucks&utm_campaign=Strongway&utm_content=67970&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiNnuBRD3ARIsAM8KmlsFi9eW8JSDPYwZAKq_QXjywRoadlAPlifP4Rk-Zvni8Dk_xpZcD1kaAseXEALw_wcB

    dooly (resized).jpgdooly (resized).jpg
    #48 4 years ago
    Quoted from dozer1:

    2 years ago I recommended a Harbor Freight big wheel hand truck to this thread on post #7. The link still works I see, and the item is on clearance right now. That was my hand truck of choice until today. It still is a good choice, but I sold mine and picked up one of these from Northern Tool. It still has the big wheels which are important to me, but has an extra long frame, which is good for pin use. Also has an oversized toe plate, which may not matter for pins, but could come in handy for many other things. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200737650_200737650?cm_mmc=Google-LIA&utm_source=Google_LIA&utm_medium=Material%20Handling%20%3E%20Hand%20%2B%20Utility%20Trucks&utm_campaign=Strongway&utm_content=67970&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiNnuBRD3ARIsAM8KmlsFi9eW8JSDPYwZAKq_QXjywRoadlAPlifP4Rk-Zvni8Dk_xpZcD1kaAseXEALw_wcB[quoted image]

    Basically akin to this, which I just used, and was pretty good tirewise.

    https://www.harborfreight.com/800-lbs-capacity-heavy-duty-hand-truck-64815.html

    And with a 20% off coupon, just $50.

    64815_W3 (resized).jpg64815_W3 (resized).jpg
    2 years later
    #49 2 years ago

    Just posting this 2 years after the last time I posted about it because it is a great hand truck for pins and Northern Tool has a good sale price on it again. Very hard to beat for under $100.00 this day and age.
    https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200737650_200737650

    3 weeks later
    #50 2 years ago
    Quoted from dozer1:

    Just posting this 2 years after the last time I posted about it because it is a great hand truck for pins and Northern Tool has a good sale price on it again. Very hard to beat for under $100.00 this day and age.
    https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200737650_200737650

    And now it is $165.00 and no longer qualifies for this thread. I hope if somebody wanted one of these, they got onboard on the 79.99 sale.

    There are 54 posts in this topic. You are on page 1 of 2.

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