What are Stair Climber Sack Trucks, and Why Are They Useful?

Stair climber sack trucks are simply the best way to manoeuvre heavy sacks and other loads up and down steps, stairs and kerbs.

18:53 17 December 2021

If you ever make deliveries, receive deliveries or need to move stock up and down levels around your site – this article is for you.

 

What is a stair climber sack truck?

 

A standard sack truck basically consists of a flat panel that goes under the sack or box that needs moving, a back frame to support the load on the move, handles and two wheels. When the load is in place on the truck, the user simply tilts the unit backwards, placing the weight onto the wheels and then moves it around as needed. A stair-climber sack truck is almost identical, and is used in very much the same way – but, instead of a single wheel at either side of the base platform, there are three wheels per side. These are mounted in a triangular pattern, ensuring that even when the truck is pulled up against a step, kerb or stair case, there is always a wheel in contact with either the floor, the riser or both.

 

Why are stair climbing sack trucks useful?

 

Manual handling injuries, including muscle strains and back problems, are a key cause of workplace health issues and can often result in long-term physical problems. As a responsible employer, every business must minimise health and safety risks wherever possible so, if you require your employees to move heavy goods up and down stairs and steps frequently, then a stair climber should be a key piece of equipment for you.

 

What should I look out for when I buy a stair climbing sack truck?

 

Just as with non-climbing sack truck models, there are different variations on that basic design. Some good features to look out for include:

 

Brakes – useful if the user needs to take a break while climbing the stairs, or if the truck is used on an incline and greater control is needed. These are often identical to basic bicycle brakes; a lever by the handle is squeezed to stop the wheels from moving, and released to allow free motion again.

 

Handles – all sack trucks will have a handle of some type, even if it is just an area of the back frame that is used for mobility. High-quality stair climbing models will incorporate an ergonomically designed handle, built to fit comfortably into the hand and allow for easier handling. Also look out for soft grips – they provide greater traction than bare metal and are more comfortable for the user as well.

 

Strength – depending on your typical load, you may want to choose a truck that is either more lightweight (and thus easier to handle) or heavier duty. This all depends on your specific use cases – if you are lugging sacks of coal about, you’ll want a steel-framed version with tough wheels. If you’re moving boxes of pillows, an aluminium-framed model will suffice.

 

Folding – if storage space is an issue at your site, or if you want to provide your driver with a stair climbing sack truck, then consider a folding model. These frequently have lower weight tolerances than a fixed model, but you can fit them easily and conveniently into the back of your van or a store cupboard without sacrificing too much space.