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Super Contributor
Posts: 23,431
Registered: ‎11-29-2005

What do I need in a hand cart?

I'm moving in the next month or two, and while we are hiring some people to help with the moving, I need to get a hand cart/dolly/hand truck. Since I've got to get the cart anyway, I thought I might get one that I could put to work getting myself to and from gigs. I definitely need big inflatable tires in order to get stuff up and down stairs, but any other features you might recommend that would come in handy after I use it for the move would be helpful.
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Super Contributor
Posts: 3,767
Registered: ‎07-17-2007

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

I would be interested to know this as well. I want something that can easily be folded up, but is strong enough to haul 70-100 lbs.
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Regular Contributor
Posts: 220
Registered: ‎12-13-2011

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

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Super Contributor
Posts: 5,868
Registered: ‎02-09-2010

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

Quote Originally Posted by skybluegary View Post
Second this suggestion. I didn't need anything more than one of the smaller versions (R2), but it's some of the best gear money I've ever spent. Pissed I didn't buy one before last year.
For cripe's sake, somebody buy that kid a freaking DICTIONARY already!
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Super Contributor
Posts: 14,231
Registered: ‎03-12-2007

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

I have one that converts to a 45 degree angle, along with folding down flat as a cart. I've never used it flat, but the 45 degree is handy as heck. Aluminum. I think it says Costco for the brand. It wasn't bought at Costco.

Bad pic...


Better pic at a 45 degree.
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Frequent Contributor
nousername
Posts: 92
Registered: ‎09-23-2012

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

IMO, a good moving hand truck has little in common with a good hand truck for use with band equipment. Like the above hand truck that tilts to 45°, that has little use for moving boxes. At least the way I've used them to move boxes in the past. Stack the boxes, place the hand truck underneath the stack, lean the whole thing back and go up the ramp into the truck. Maybe I was doing it wrong.

Pneumatic tires for uneven surfaces and some sort of cushion between the ground and equipment.
Convertible capability. It would be great if the hand truck converts to a flat cart for large cabinets, etc.
High weight capacity.
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nousername
Posts: 92
Registered: ‎09-23-2012

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

Quote Originally Posted by StratGuy22 View Post
I have one that converts to a 45 degree angle, along with folding down flat as a cart. I've never used it flat, but the 45 degree is handy as heck. Aluminum. I think it says Costco for the brand. It wasn't bought at Costco.

Bad pic...

Better pic at a 45 degree.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_304427-66651-12301ABL1_42949.
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Trusted Contributor
guido61
Posts: 28,329
Registered: ‎12-09-2001

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

Quote Originally Posted by StratGuy22 View Post
I think it says Costco for the brand. It wasn't bought at Costco.
Cosco are the people who make handtrucks and ladders. No "t" in their name.

Personally, I wouldn't get much use out of a truck with a set angle as the weight-distribution of whatever-is-on-the cart is the biggest factor is determining the best angle for moving. Personally, I like the standard hand trucks that have some sort of "slider" on the back so that it can go up-and-down stairs easier.
--David

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Stage gear: Korg Kronos, Yamaha Motif, M-Audio Venom, Neo Ventilator, Digitech GSP-1101, Fender Stratocaster, Takamine Eg544SC, Samson SM10 line mixer, Alesis Picoverb, Samson Airline 77 Wireless, APC Smart-UPS SC 450VA
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Super Contributor
Jealousblues
Posts: 2,032
Registered: ‎01-01-2004

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

weve always used the rocknroller carts.
We end up keeping the stuff on them in the truck and tying them to the walls so they dont move.

Basically when we get to the shows the keycart and the lightcart are already loaded and ready to loaded in.
Other stuff is either on casters (speakers) or have hard cases with wheels (lighting truss and stands, Electronic drums, mixer rack)
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Super Contributor
Posts: 14,231
Registered: ‎03-12-2007

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

Quote Originally Posted by nousername View Post
IMO, a good moving hand truck has little in common with a good hand truck for use with band equipment. Like the above hand truck that tilts to 45°, that has little use for moving boxes. At least the way I've used them to move boxes in the past. Stack the boxes, place the hand truck underneath the stack, lean the whole thing back and go up the ramp into the truck. Maybe I was doing it wrong.

Pneumatic tires for uneven surfaces and some sort of cushion between the ground and equipment.
Convertible capability. It would be great if the hand truck converts to a flat cart for large cabinets, etc.
High weight capacity.
True. My trailer has a low interior height (5'6") this is so it will fit in my garage. I find the 45 degree option handy, as I can tilt it back onto the wheels at a 45 and it takes the weight instead of trying to balance the cart while stooping over a bit inside and the door...

I do have another cart, with the roller track for steps, and a strap. I think originally it was for moving appliances. The tongue isn't as big so I don't use it as much.
We'll oil the jaws of the war machine, and feed it with our babies.

Good transactions with spindlergallery, Rezrover, and your mom.

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Super Contributor
Posts: 1,782
Registered: ‎06-26-2002

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

I don't use a cart for moving my drums, but when I move the "big" bass rig I use one of these http://www.lowes.com/pd_171232-26675...1&Ntt=foldable to move the two 2x10s.
Drums:
PDP CX 12-14-22, Pork Pie Big Black Snare
Sabian 13" AA Fusion Hats, A Zildjian 21" Rock Ride
Sabian HH 16" Med-thin Crash, Supernatural Prodigy Pro 17" Crash
Axis X2 Double Pedal
Vic Firth American Classic 5A Nylon
Bass gear:
Zon Sonus V, Warmoth jazz, '70 Ampeg Dan Armstrong, '62 Fender Jazz fretless, '95 Gibson Les Paul
Alembic F1-X, dbx 266XL, Korg DTR-2, Funk Logic DD-301, QSC PLX1602, Eden D210XLT & D210XST

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Super Contributor
Posts: 529
Registered: ‎08-20-2012

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

I bought one of these yesterday: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en


The two sets of wheels make it easy to get over my patio door and step by "cheating", rather than by rolling over the sliding door frame. The flat surface makes it easy to pile on stuff when it's used as a cart.

I played with it last night loading and unloading the top half of my split L100 organ which weighs about 175 lbs. Like butter. Providing it stops raining this afternoon, I'll test loading it into my van solo, too. The idea is to roll it around on the big wheels, tilt it so that the little wheels are inside the van, then lift the bottom up and slide it in.

I also use a flat piece of plywood with a strap and 2.5" casters for hauling stuff, very handy, I also put it flat in my van when I tip the Leslie on top of it, then I roll the Leslie on it while it's in the van. Otherwise the cover and/or wood catches on the carpet, seat hardware, etc.
--

Hammond: BC, M3, Split L111, L122 / Leslie: 51, 760 / Yamaha: DGX-620, PF-85

Follow my new band, Dr. Bombay! We're going to be organasmic!
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Super Contributor
mstreck
Posts: 4,437
Registered: ‎07-17-2005

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

Quote Originally Posted by kmart View Post
Second this suggestion. I didn't need anything more than one of the smaller versions (R2), but it's some of the best gear money I've ever spent. Pissed I didn't buy one before last year.
I bought one of the small ones and ended up buying the larger one the following week. Makes load ins a breeze!!!!
My cover band

HARD WORK BEATS TALENT WHEN TALENT DOESN'T WORK HARD
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Super Contributor
SpaceNorman
Posts: 4,168
Registered: ‎03-04-2007

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

I prefer a simple pneumatic tire hand truck. I find they go over things like curbs and doorsills easier - and are more manueverable in tight spaces than the horizontal "rock'n'roll" carts. Loading a "horizontal" style cart that's awkward to get up over doors and curbs, wrestle through doors and fumble through tight aisles feels like more work. Most of my load-ins have a relatively short distance from van to dance floor. Tip the heavy stuff, slide the lip of the handtruck and run vs lift to load the cart, wrestle it from point A to point B and lift to unload it. The vertical handtruck may mean I make a couple of extra trips ... but it just feels like it's less work.
The SpaceNorman
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Super Contributor
WynnD
Posts: 7,732
Registered: ‎12-10-2006

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

I have a folding hand truck for light stuff. It claims to handle 125 pounds, but if you drop the handle while loaded, it will bend. (I doubt that I'm the only one who is clumsy.) I have a larger non-folding one that I use when towing a trailer. It handles a larger weight and has 4 wheels for even heavier loads. It doesn't fit inside the mini-van very well. I used to use it to bring stuff up from my basement. I'm not interested in carrying 600+ pounds up the steps. (Am I getting too old?) One thing that I didn't see mention was a ratchting strap to tie the load in place. Very useful.
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Super Contributor
Posts: 2,201
Registered: ‎02-17-2002

Re: What do I need in a hand cart?

Quote Originally Posted by StratGuy22 View Post
I have one that converts to a 45 degree angle, along with folding down flat as a cart. I've never used it flat, but the 45 degree is handy as heck. Aluminum. I think it says Costco for the brand. It wasn't bought at Costco.

Bad pic...


Better pic at a 45 degree.
Quote Originally Posted by nousername View Post
This is the one I have. Converts from a normal cart to a flatbed to the 45 degree angle you see in the pic. It holds a lot of weight but isn't very heavy itself. Well worth the cost as we have a couple gigs where the load in spot is a long way from the stage area, and the ability to condense the trips into 2-3 vs 15 is a time and back saver. I mostly use it in the flatbed mode.
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