Handcart Safety Tips

  1. Handcarts should not be overloaded. They are designed to hold the gear for only 11 people, including clothing, sleeping bags, tarps, cooking equipment, and water.

    Total weight should not be over 400 pounds.

  2. Each handcart has a 20-foot rope that should remain attached to the cart during use. This rope allows more people to pull at once.

  3. Treat handcarts with care; pull or push them by hand. Do not pull handcarts behind vehicles.

  4. When stopping the handcart, slowly lower the yoke until it rests on the ground. Do not drop the yoke or it will break.

  5. Do not sit or stand on the yoke when it is resting on the ground.

  6. Do not run with the handcarts. People can trip and fall under the wheels.

  7. Stay away from the wheels. Some clothing, especially dresses can get caught in the wheels.

  8. When stopping on a hill place a rock behind the wheels so that the handcart does not roll backward. Having a proper object ready at all times is a good idea.

    (Do not turn cart sideways. Items may shift to one side and the increased weight on the wheel at that angle can break the wheel.)

  9. When going down steep hills, attach the rope to the back of the handcart and have everyone help to slow down the cart. Remember to always stay behind the cart and keep it under control.

  10. Do not pull a loaded handcart sideways on a steep incline (where one wheel is consistently lower than the other). If all the weight of the handcart is shifted to one wheel it will break. When going up hills, if prepared switch back trails are not provided, attack the hill straight on.

  11. Do not deface any surface of the handcarts (writings, carvings, paintings, etc.).