Abstract: A hand-operated lift truck includes a pump unit adapted to operate a hydraulic cylinder which in turn serves to move a fork up and down above a chassis. The pump unit is positioned right above one of a pair of rear wheels of the lift truck and includes a pumping handle for operating a plunger pump. The pumping handle is rotatable about its own axis and linked at the lower end to a support which supports the one rear wheel stated, so that when rotated the handle causes the one rear wheel to turn integrally with it. The pumping handle, therefore, bifunctions as a steering handle which is easy to operate. In addition, because the pumping handle is rotatable as stated, it can be tilted and untilted to drive the pump even if the space available at the rear of the lift truck is narrow.