Slopes - Research by the HSE has found that an increase in the slope of just 1 degree results in an approximate 1.75 increase in the push force per 100kg of the laden pallet truck weight. The same report recommends that pallet trucks in excess of 227kg regularly used on ramps or slopes should be powered.
Rough Surfaces - The surface that the hand pallet truck is operated on also has a huge influence on the effort required to move a load. With a heavy load the smallest obstacle or rough area can massively increase the effort required.
Research compared moving a loaded trolley on a smooth surface and a carpet and found the carpet required between 30-50% higher force to move the trolley.
It's been done in the past, does it really matter?
According to the HSE, more than one third of all injuries requiring at least three days off work are caused by manual handling (lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying).