A heavy duty carriage includes a carriage body, a load receiving platform horizontally rotatably mounted on a top of the carriage body, and a plurality of caster bodies each horizontally rotatably supported by a caster shaft in a lower part of the carriage body. Each of the caster bodies has, in a lower part thereof, a front wheel rotatably supported by a front wheel shaft and rear wheels each rotatably supported by a rear wheel shaft. The front wheel and the rear wheels are positioned forward and rearward of an axial center of the caster shaft on a straight line in a horizontal direction. When the carriage body is placed on a floor surface and outer circumferences of the rear wheels contact the floor surface, an outer circumference of the front wheel does not contact the floor surface. By using four heavy duty carriages, the heavy object can be moved.

An apparatus for applying pressure to at least a portion of an edge surface, which bridges opposing faces of a workpiece, comprises a frame, a first roller, a second roller, a rotation-control member, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The first roller and the second roller are coupled to the frame and are rotatable relative to the frame. At least one of the first roller or the second roller is translatable relative to the frame along a first axis. The rotation-control member is movable relative to the frame, controlling rotation of the first roller and the second roller relative to the frame. The first biasing member is configured to operate in compression along a second axis. The second biasing member is positioned, in compression, between the frame and the rotation-control member.

An apparatus for applying pressure to at least a portion of an edge surface, which bridges opposing faces of a workpiece, comprises a frame, a first roller, a second roller, a rotation-control member, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The first roller and the second roller are coupled to the frame and are rotatable relative to the frame. At least one of the first roller or the second roller is translatable relative to the frame along a first axis. The rotation-control member is movable relative to the frame, controlling rotation of the first roller and the second roller relative to the frame. The first biasing member is configured to operate in compression along a second axis. The second biasing member is positioned, in compression, between the frame and the rotation-control member.

An apparatus for applying pressure to at least a portion of an edge surface, which bridges opposing faces of a workpiece, comprises a frame, a first roller, a second roller, a rotation-control member, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The first roller and the second roller are coupled to the frame, rotatable relative to the frame about a first pivot axis, and translationally fixed relative to the frame. The rotation-control member is movable relative to the frame, controlling rotation of the first roller and the second roller relative to the frame. The first biasing member is coupled to the frame and is configured to operate in tension. The second biasing member is positioned, in compression, between the frame and the rotation-control member.

An apparatus for applying pressure to at least a portion of an edge surface, which bridges opposing faces of a workpiece, comprises a frame, a first roller, a second roller, a rotation-control member, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The first roller and the second roller are coupled to the frame, rotatable relative to the frame about a first pivot axis, and translationally fixed relative to the frame. The rotation-control member is movable relative to the frame, controlling rotation of the first roller and the second roller relative to the frame. The first biasing member is coupled to the frame and is configured to operate in tension. The second biasing member is positioned, in compression, between the frame and the rotation-control member.

A clasping stability device and clasping stabilized hand truck provide a stable material handling platform safely operable by a single human operator from the rear of the hand truck, without having to use straps or ties. The clasping stability device may assist in loading material onto the hand truck at the source location, stabilize the material during transport, and assist in unloading the material from the hand truck at the destination location. The clasping mechanism may automatically lock into place once the clasping arms are closed to a sufficient degree to secure the material. The locking mechanism may remain locked, stabilizing the material during transport, until the locking mechanism is released. The clasping stability device provides a single stroke clasping and release mechanism that is engaged entirely from the rear of the hand truck.

A clasping stability device and clasping stabilized hand truck provide a stable material handling platform safely operable by a single human operator from the rear of the hand truck, without having to use straps or ties. The clasping stability device may assist in loading material onto the hand truck at the source location, stabilize the material during transport, and assist in unloading the material from the hand truck at the destination location. The clasping mechanism may automatically lock into place once the clasping arms are closed to a sufficient degree to secure the material. The locking mechanism may remain locked, stabilizing the material during transport, until the locking mechanism is released. The clasping stability device provides a single stroke clasping and release mechanism that is engaged entirely from the rear of the hand truck.

A drum loading and unloading system and method for loading and unloading a drum. The system includes a portable base unit having pedestals for holding a drum at a predetermined position for loading and unloading material from the drum; a pair of pneumatic cylinders attached to the portable base supporting a cross-beam; a pumping piston attached to the cross-beam for pumping material into and out of the drum; and a lifting device attached to the cross-beam for lifting the drum onto the pedestals of the portable base.

A drum loading and unloading system and method for loading and unloading a drum. The system includes a portable base unit having pedestals for holding a drum at a predetermined position for loading and unloading material from the drum; a pair of pneumatic cylinders attached to the portable base supporting a cross-beam; a pumping piston attached to the cross-beam for pumping material into and out of the drum; and a lifting device attached to the cross-beam for lifting the drum onto the pedestals of the portable base.

A log lifting device for raising a log into a cutting position includes a cylinder, a handle, and a wedge. The handle is coupled to and extends from the cylinder equally distant from opposing ends of the cylinder. The wedge is coupled to and extends from the cylinder proximate to the handle. The wedge is substantially perpendicular to the handle. The wedge is configured to be positioned beneath a felled log, positioning a user to grasp and pull on the handle to rotate the cylinder to apply a lifting force to the log so that the log is supported upon the handle above a surface. The log thus is positioned to be safely cut by the user using a chain saw, or other log cutting implement.