a hand truck having ground engaging members which tilt the hand truck under conditions of greater leverage than that available by grasping the frame of the hand truck . the ground engaging members are journaled to the frame of the hand truck . in one embodiment , the ground engaging members assume the entire weight of the loaded hand truck . in another embodiment , the ground engaging members push the front end of the hand truck upwardly , employing the wheels as a fulcrum . in the second embodiment , the wheels remain in contact with the ground . in the first embodiment , the ground engaging members serve also as a fulcrum , allowing the wheels to be elevated off the ground . in both embodiments , the ground engaging members are powered either by a foot operated lever or a hand operated lever . in the first embodiment , the foot or hand operated lever is rigidly fixed to the ground engaging members . in the second embodiment , the foot or hand operated lever is a separate part which moves flippers by a multipart linkage . the flippers engage the ground and elevate one end of the load plate .