Abstract: A hand truck includes an automatic height adjusting load platform, or alternatively, a kit of components provides for adding an adjustable load platform to an existing hand truck. The load platform position is held in a raised position while under no load conditions. A user places an article including a package on the raised platform, which is configured to rest at approximately waist level. In response to the weight of the article, the platform lowers, but the downward motion of the platform is inhibited by a platform arrestor. Preferably, the platform arrestor is configured such that the distance the platform will drop due to the weight of the load is proportional to the height of the article placed upon the platform. Thus the top of the article first placed upon the load platform is now substantially at waist level. This process can continue until the platform is lowered to the bottom of the shaft that the platform is slidably mounted to.