Powered stair climbing hand trucks are machines that are use to transport heavy equipment, moving boxes, appliances, furniture and more, up through multi-storey buildings via the stairs.
These items include but are not limited to:
- Vending machines
- Safes
- Cooker ovens
- Wardrobes
- Dressers
- TV’s
- Refrigerator-freezers
They work in a similar way to hand trucks and appliance dollies, where the equipment is loaded to the L-shaped frame, that supports the weight on their back rails.
The equipment is then locked into the frame using some type of retention system. You can the extend the handle, engage the battery and then move the load up steps using the battery assisted motor.
Top Benefits
There are several benefits to using a power stair climbing truck:
Reduces the physical effort required to move items up floors of buildings
Reduces the number of people required to move loads up sets of stairs. Often requiring just a single person where you’d usually require two
Provides a safer form of transporting items via stairs, reducing the inherent risks of loads falling or slipping down stairs
In most cases is faster than carrying by hand or with a non-motorized hand truck
The design allows for awkward and bulbous loads that would otherwise be difficult to grip to be transported more easily
The best stair climbing hand trucks provide all these benefits and more depending on the model used. The main differentiator of top and low models is the battery capacity and the power of the motor.
Both are factors in:
- How many steps you can carry loads up on a single charge
- The maximum weight you can successfully move
- The number of hours of operation you can get on a single charge
Two Main Types of Powered Stair Climbing Hand Trucks
There are two types of powered hand truck designs. Both have their pros and cons depending on your intended use.
Motorized Stair Crawler Tracks Type
These hand truck can be wheeled around on level ground upright. Their extension mounting frame uses caster wheels to make a 4 wheeled configuration to allow this to be possible. When climbing stairs the treaded motorized belt tracks are angled down into position, then the truck is tilted, supported by the main 2 wheels and the tracks as the hand truck climbs or descends the stairs. The treaded tracks prevent any slippage of the truck and the load while it is angled on the stairs. This allows for incremental and precise control of the forward and backward commands that make for safe travelling.
Allows for loads to be wheeled around supported by 4 wheels when on level ground
Loads will have to be lifted up onto the loading platform, which can prove difficult depending on how heavy the item is
Motorized Wheels Type
This hand truck is designed almost identically as the classic hand truck, the main difference being the addition of a battery and electric motor. In this configuration you have to balance the load over two wheels when transporting it. However additional drop down supporting caster wheels can be used to provide support when on level ground. The advantage of this of course being that you do not need to actively balance the load when its on the move. With the ground plate being at floor level, you can load equipment onto the hand truck without having to lift the equipment up.
The loads can be mounted on the hand truck without being lifted
Without treaded tracks these hand trucks often rely on thick rubber to create the friction required to prevent the hand truck slipping down stairs. While effective this is the lesser of the two in terms of safety
How To Use Powered Stair Climbing Hand Trucks
- Charge the battery for at least 5 – 7 hours, ensuring it is fully charged before use
- If it is applicable to the hand truck, insert the removable flat mounting platform to the main frame body
- Lock the wheels and physically lift the load onto the mounting platform. If using a ground plate, slip the plate under the load by tilting it slightly
- Unlock wheels then back the hand truck up to the staircase you are going to climb, leaving 12 inches of free space between the first step and the treads of the hand truck
- Lock the wheels once more then pull the tracks down into the locked out angled position in preparation to start the ascent
- Engage the battery with the button/key switch, then power the dolly on with the handle bar console power button
- Raise the D-shaped handlebar to the appropriate height for yourself and lock into place
- Using the handlebar tilt the dolly until the treaded tracks are resting flat on the stairs
- Press the start button to start your ascent, walking backwards up the stairs at the same pace as the dolly, while maintaining full control of the heavy load using the handlebar
- When you reach the top of the stairs, continue moving backwards till the front wheels have cleared the last step
- Lean the handlebar forward to sit the dolly upright, fold the tracks back in, lower the handlebars and unlock the wheels to continue transporting the dolly on level ground
Top 7 Powered Stair Climbing Hand Truck UK Listed
1) Tonpop Electric Folding Stair Climber Cart
Weight Carrying Capacity
160kg
Overall Package Weight
30.9kg
Motor Power
120W
Battery
13.6Ah
Highlights:
Doubles as a stair climbing hand trolley and a wheel chair climber, improving accessibility throughout your home
81cm stair crawling treaded tracks provide exceptional grip when on the incline/decline of stairs for vastly improved safety
Overall Description
Tonpop claims their electric folding stair climbing cart can traverse up 130 floors at a rate of 40 steps per minute after charging the battery to its full capacity after 3 – 4 hours. This translates to about a 1500 step capability when the battery is fully charged. This is excellent performance packed into the 120W motor is a great indication on the huge number of features Tonpop has managed to pack into their stair climbing cart.
Climbing Performance
Firstly the excellent stair crawling tracks measuring 81cm end to end provides huge benefits as compared to standard rubber wheels.
Second the tracks have an increased surface area of motor controlled contact point with the stairs. This greatly improves the anti-slip gripping properties of the crawler when ascending and descending steps. In turn this increased friction improves the safety of the whole systems as the likelihood of the dolly falling down the stairs uncontrolled is severely reduced.
Ergonomics
The telescoping handle allows for users of all heights to adjust for best comfort and maximum control of the load. Extending to a maximum height of 160cm. Atop the handle is a small control panel for easy and quick access to the main controls you need while moving the loaded climber cart.
Safety Features
The dolly is design as such where the crawler tracks move into stair climbing position independently of the main frame of the cart. The main advantage you derive from this of course is that when on level round there is no need to tilt the dolly whatsoever. Once again improving stability and overall safety when in use.
Easy operation at all times, just turn the key on the battery to engage it, then use the one button lever switch for full control of the stair climber.
Bonus Feature
The last truly unique design feature is the addition of a wheel chair slot in the frame, with buckles to support the chair by its wheels and by the back rest supports. It undoubtedly improves accessibility in your home, however keep in mind the maximum load should be no higher than 160kg.
2) Caglan Technology Electric Stair Climb Cart and Hand Trolley
Weight Carrying Capacity
160kg
Overall Package Weight
Unknown
Motor Power
1000W
Battery
Lithium 48V2.5 kg
Highlights:
Telescoping handle allow you to adjust it for your specific height, adding to the comfort and control when operating the hand trolley
The inflatable pneumatic tyres allow you to adjust the pressure specific to the load being carried for optimal performance
Overall Description
Caglan technology offers this great value for money electric stair climbing hand trolley at a highly competitive market price. This undercutting of price compared to their main competitors in no way impacts its overall performance as non of the essential features you would come to expect from a electric stair climbing cart are missing whatsoever.
Climbing Performance
As evidenced by the 1000W motor specification; capable of moving massive loads up several floors of stairs with minimal user efforts. This is the main drawing factor of this hand trolley, as it severely reduced the effort required when carrying the maximum recommended load weight of 160kg.
Ergonomics
The telescoping handle design can be adjusted between the heights of 170cm and 110cm to accommodate your own height for increased comfort when operating the dolly. This small feature is a minor detail they’ve added that greatly improves your confidence and ability to control the fully loaded cart when moving heavy loads up and down stairs.
The generously sized nose plate measuring 40cm across and 30cm in depth allows for large and bulky loads to be mounted and carried safely on the frame. This is a stiff nose plate that is built to have a long use life, resistant to scratch, bends, and dents.
Safety Features
It uses massive rubber tyres that ensure a large angle of attack to easily clear most steps on a stair case. You can adjust the pressure specifically on these inflatable tyres to accommodate the type of load you are handling.
Bonus Feature
The lightweight steel frame is ideal for supporting heavy loads and is highly durable, capable of withstanding heavy impacts. The lightweight materials used add to the performance as the motor doesn’t have to work hard to carry the frame weight up several floors of a building, thus extended the potential battery life.
3) Faxioawa Electric Stair Climbing Cart
Weight Carrying Capacity
350kg
Overall Package Weight
Unknown
Motor Power
1000W
Battery
30Ah
Highlights:
The powerful 1000W motor is well designed with good heat dissipation and low noise when running
D-shaped handle is well though out with an ergonomic design that houses the multifunction switch for quick access to the controls
Overall Description
The Faxioawa electric cart provides great performance with a claimed endurance of 150 floors of stair climbing power from a single full charge of the battery. Making it a good candidate if long life performance is a top requirement.
Climbing Performance
The frame material is constructed from a mix of both alloy steel and stainless steel material. Both adding rigidity and strength to the frame adding to its performance on the climbs. This of course being purposely manufactured to accommodate the hefty 350kg of loads that the frame is designed to carry comfortably.
Ergonomics
The design has been well thought out, with the ergonomic D shaped handle housing the multifunction control switch from where the cart can be controlled. The main unit housing the main switch, and the power and charging interface that displays the remaining battery capacity. The battery will need to be charged to 100% before use in order to unlock the full performance benefits of the dolly.
Safety Features
The wheels use pneumatic rubber tyres, the best type of wheel for comfort, optimised rolling resistance, and easy maintenance. The large diameter aids with the ease of climbing steps as the greater angle of attack allows you to clear each step with less physical effort, and with less destabilisation of the carried load. We also love the addition of tread on the tyre to ensure that that grip levels are adequate to inspire confidence on the incline or decline of a stair climb. The anti-slip properties alongside the electric motor adds to the safety of the tool.
Bonus Feature
Lastly the 1000W motors performance is fit to purpose with great design features that ensure its smooth operation and long life; including low noise, worm gear reducer and heat sink design to prevent over heating.
4) HLGKBY Electric Hand Truck
Weight Carrying Capacity
400kg
Overall Package Weight
35kg
Motor Power
1200W
Battery
36Ah
Highlights:
Greatly reduces the users workload with a hugely powerful 1200W electric motor
Turn dial allows you to adjust the speed to levels that is safest for you
Overall Description
HLGKBY electric hand truck is an excellent climber of stairs thanks to the massive 1200W motor that can climb up a large number of steps.
Climbing Performance
On a full charge it is capable of 6000 steps, perfect for use in high rise apartment buildings and offices.
We like the huge battery capacity provided to accommodate this large motor rating that gives you a generous battery life.
The cart is useful for carrying heavy objects both up and down stairs. It achieves this in a safe manner by use of a sturdy steel frame with a huge loading plate of 40 x 30 cm. This in combination with a huge solid back plate measuring 34cm across, provides a highly stable base for loading large and heavy items.
The frame allows you to use a strong retaining strap that keeps the loads firmly in place while being used to ascend and descend stair cases.
Ergonomics
In addition the telescoping handle is adjustable from a height of 115cm to 165cm. It uses a convenient switch and button control panel, allowing you to have easy access to every operation you need. This includes an on/off button and a touch switch for movement.
Safety Features
A turn dial allows you to adjust the speed on the hand truck, making it safer when you feel the need to climb or descend more slowly.
Bonus Feature
The whole package is topped of by the low price compared to most of the competition offering a similar product.
The charger is included with the package.
5) HLGKBY Powered Stair Climbing Hand Truck
Weight Carrying Capacity
300kg
Overall Package Weight
33kg
Motor Power
250W
Battery
26Ah
Highlights:
Flat loading platform negates the need to counter balance the loads while you’re transporting them on flat ground
Long 85cm end to end tracks provide unrivalled grip on steep stair accents and descents
Overall Description
HLGKBY powered stair climbing hand truck is a different take to their electric hand truck. This design allows for greater load stabilisation when travelling across level ground thanks to the flat loading surface.
This inspires more confidence and negates the need to constantly balance the load when transporting heavy equipment.
The caster wheels provide 360 degree rotation making quick and tight turns easy to navigate.
The flat mounting platform does come at a small cost however. As the platform is raised it means that loads need to be lifted up and onto the platform, rather than being lifted by the hand truck directly from the ground using a low nose plate to slip underneath. This can prove difficult for heavier loads, especially when being mounted by a single person.
Climbing Performance
This small inconvenience is overshadowed however by the excellent overall build quality of this hand truck. Powered by the 250W motor it is capable of carrying 300kg upstairs using the stair crawler treaded tracks.
Main benefits of this track design include the anti-slip properties that create a huge amount of friction with the tracks measuring 85cm end to end. It prevents the load from slipping down stairs unintentionally giving you greater control when climbing and descending stairs.
Ergonomics
What we like the most about this hand truck is the large 54cm deep loading platform. This is massively useful for carrying a wider range of loads all of varying sizes throughout the building.
You have the opportunity to save space when not in use as both the loading platform and the stair crawler tracks fold in. This slims down the hand truck to a small 35cm depth, giving you greater options on storage locations.
Safety Features
The large handle and wide back plate give plenty of space to the user when pulling the load upstairs or following behind the truck when going downstairs.
Bonus Feature
After 3-4 hours of charging the truck can climb up to 80 floors. More than enough for most flat towers or large office buildings.
6) BrightFootBook Powered Aluminum Stair Climber Hand Truck
Weight Carrying Capacity
200kg
Overall Package Weight
24kg
Motor Power
120W
Battery
13.6Ah
Highlights:
Clear control panel atop of the telescoping handle improves the ease of use
The addition of two foldable buckle handles give you many options for hand positioning to ensure you always remain safe and in full control of the loaded stair climber
Overall Description
Brightfootbook powered stair climber hand truck is an aluminum framed climbing tool that has a long list of applications.
With a maximum loading capacity of 200kg its capable of use both in the home, high buildings, and offices spaces.
Climbing Performance
Speeds can ramp up to 45 steps per minute, and the long battery life lasts for 130 floors. Good for roughly 3 – 4 hours from a fully charged battery.
The 13.6Ah battery complements the 120W motor well. The crawler design lowers to 30 degrees while climbing or descending. This gives you a more stable position for improved safety and confidence on stairs. Its one of the many features that makes it easier to use.
Ergonomics
Other features that improve it ease of use include the handle lever that can be adjusted to three individual height positions: 49.2″, 61.5″, and 69.7″. The addition of two foldable buckle handles give you even more hand positions to choose from. Each adding increased comfort or offering a better option for better positioning yourself to improve control or personal safety.
Safety Features
The controls are simple, with an engagement/disengagement switch on the side of the battery body. Complemented by an up and down control panel with power light indication atop the main telescoping handle.
Folding design reduces the dimension from 37.4” x 18.9” x (65.9”-68.7”), down to 45.7” x 18.9” x (7.7”-10.4”) when fully folded.
Bonus Feature
The price remains competitive for all the features and performance that is packed in.
7) Wthome Electric Stair Climbing Hand Truck
Weight Carrying Capacity
200kg
Overall Package Weight
35kg
Motor Power
250W
Battery
20Ah
Highlights:
The adjustable backrest allows you to change the size of the hand truck to the size of the load being carried
360 degree manoeuvrability allows for quick turns in tight spaces
Overall Description
Wthome electric stair climbing hand truck provides mid range performance for use in warehouses, office spaces, home buildings, and in the work place.
There is no skimping on the kit provided here. The truck comes fully equipped with all the small features that make it easier to use and live with daily.
Climbing Performance
To highlight just one of these many features would be doing this stair climber an injustice. The first and most important is the heart of the hand truck which is the 250W motor capable of powering 200kg loads up stairs. This is energized by the 20Ah battery equipped and placed neatly near the backrest of the main body of the truck’s frame.
The chair can be adjusted to three moving speeds, high, middle, and low. All controlled by the well laid out control panel on the main handle.
Ergonomics
Keeping on the topic of the backrests, the frame features an adjustable pull to allow you to adjust the height of the backrest. This allows you to make adjustments according to the size of the items you’re planning to move.
Here the main loading platform is flat, supported by 4 rubber wheels, 2 of which allow 36o degree rotation for when you need to navigate tight turns or quick manoeuvres.
The upright position when not climbing stairs is useful as you don’t have to actively balance the loads as you would do when using a traditional L-shaped hand truck.
Safety Features
Non-slip design on the stair crawlers by increasing the friction of course improves safety going up and down.
We like the 60-80 floor endurance claim as it allows for roughly 4-5 hours at full battery charge.
Bonus Feature
The specifications are well balanced for mid-range use, suitable for 90% of the most common use applications of electric climbing carts.
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