handcart

A handcart is a simple, manually operated wheeled vehicle used to transport goods over short distances. It is designed to be pushed or pulled by hand and commonly features a flat loading platform or a small cargo basket. The two wheels are mounted under the load, with handles at the rear for the operator to grip.

Two-wheeled handcarts are the most common; the operator stands behind the cart and tilts the frame to move. Three-wheeled variants exist and are sometimes called hand trucks or dollys; there are also four-wheeled platform carts used in warehouses and stores. A wheelbarrow is a related device with a single wheel and a different balance and steering dynamic, while a handcart generally has a separate loading area for the cargo.

Handcarts have been used since ancient times in markets, construction, and street trade to move crates, boxes, vegetables, and other goods. In urban settings, porters and shopkeepers relied on handcarts to transfer loads over short distances. In modern contexts, handcarts remain in use for loading and unloading shipments, moving items within warehouses and retail environments, and serving as a low-cost, human-powered alternative to powered equipment.

Construction and materials vary, with frames made of wood, steel, or aluminum and wheels using solid rubber or pneumatic tires. Typical capacity ranges widely depending on build, from tens to several hundred kilograms. Maintenance involves checking wheels, bearings, and axles, securing loads, and ensuring that handling remains ergonomic to reduce the risk of back or shoulder injury.