Transporting loads

A dolly comprising a generally rectangular load-receiving platform having four wheels adjacent its corners, bearers suspended below the platform and adapted to be moved relative to the platform down from and up to inoperative positions, a pedal at each end of the dolly, linkage between each pedal and the bearers whereby upon initial depressing of either pedal the bearers are lowered into engagement with the floor or ground, each of the bearers being suspended by pairs of toggle links arranged to move into substantially in-line positions during final depressing of the pedal to lift the platform and raise the wheels clear of the floor or ground, and each pedal has a lever arm affording a mechanical advantage that is amplified by the mechanical advantage of the toggle links themselves moving into in-line positions, locking means for securing the bearers in floor or ground-engaging positions, and release means activatable to cause raising of the bearers from the floor or ground when the dolly is required to be movable on its wheels, and wherein each pedal has a spring return to a raised neutral position, and the linkage is provided with a change-over system, whereby, after depressing either pedal to bring the bearers into engagement with the floor or ground the bearers are locked in floor or ground-engaging positions while the pedal is allowed to return to its raised neutral position, ready upon subsequent depressing of either pedal to cause reverse movement of the linkage, to unlock the pairs of toggle links and allow spring means to return the bearers to their inoperative positions.