What Is a Pallet Truck?

A pallet truck, also known as a pump truck, is a piece of material handling equipment that is used to lift and transport heavy, generally wooden, palletised loads. They are commonly found in warehouses and stockrooms.

Electric ride-on pallet trucks offer heightened efficiency and reduced operating costs. They are designed for intense warehouse operations and are ideal for long internal transports and HGV/lorry loading.

Forks

The forks in a pallet truck are able to move and lift heavy loads by shifting the center of gravity. This allows them to be used on uneven surfaces such as slopes and inclines. They’re a useful addition to warehouses, distribution centers and logistics hubs. Many models are small enough to fit through doors and have low operating costs.

Typically, the forks in a pallet truck have a width between 7″ and 9″. However, if you’re working with specialty items that don’t fit on standard pallets, you can choose a model with wider forks. The length of the forks is also important, allowing you to safely transport a variety of load sizes.

With the forks in a down position, shift the control lever to the neutral or uppermost position. Then, push the handle in a pumping motion to raise the forks. You’ll need to keep the handle pumped in this position until the forks reach your desired height, with a clearance of about an inch between the floor and the pallet.

To lower the forks, shift the handle to the lower position. A clear, intuitive operating method makes these hand pallet trucks easy to learn and operate. You can reduce operator fatigue by lowering your loads in short increments. This helps to prevent the load from getting too high off the ground, which can affect its centre of gravity and cause it to sag or tip over.

Wheels

The wheels in a pallet truck (also known as hand pallet trucks) are one of the most important components. They support manual pallet jack the load, provide stability and enable smooth operation.

The most common wheels are made from polyurethane. This material is quiet and shock-absorbing, which makes it ideal for a range of applications. It is also easy to handle on rough surfaces and can take the rigours of frequent use.

Nylon wheels are suitable for a wide range of environments and offer more durability than polyurethane. They are ideal for warehouses, factories and workshop environments that are exposed to dirt or debris. They are less prone to punctures, have low resistance and are easily steam cleaned. They are more expensive than PU wheels, but they are long-lasting and can handle high-usage rates.

A key factor in the lifespan of your pallet truck’s wheels is how you care for them. Avoid running over large cracks, significant drops or gaps in the floor as this can easily damage the wheel. It is also important to always keep the wheels clean of debris. Running over nails, screws, wood chips or other small objects can cause the wheels to chunk, which is not only unpleasant but can reduce the loading capacity of the pallet jack. Finally, never leave a pallet jack loaded for a prolonged period of time. This can create flat spots on the wheels that make it harder to pull the pallet truck when it is parked up.

Hydraulics

Pallet trucks use hydraulics to move and lift pallets. The hydraulic system is comprised of a pump, a cylinder and several valves. The pump provides hydraulic oil to the cylinder, which extends and pushes the forks upwards when you crank the tiller, or handle. When you stop cranking the handle, the oil flows back to the pump and the forks lower.

This allows you to transport and stack pallets without having to lug around a separate precision scale. In addition, hydraulic hand pallet trucks are more affordable than electric ones.

Some models even come with integrated weighing systems. These allow you to weigh your loads digitally and efficiently. Alternatively, you could go for the specialist M25 Scale+ from Linde, which has the ability to combine weighing and transport tasks.

If you notice that your pallet truck no longer pumps or lowers its forks, it may be due to air bubbles in the hydraulic fluid. This is usually caused by transport-induced pressure changes in the hydraulic system and can be corrected by bleeding the circuit. To do so, simply raise and lower the tiller handle a few times with the operating lever in the raised position while the pump is activated. This should force out the air and allow the forks to elevate normally when pumping again. You should also check the lowering valve screw on a regular basis for tightness.

Safety

Pallet trucks make material shifting work safer by reducing the physical strain of operators. As such, they help reduce workplace injuries and promote employee health in warehouses, factories and distribution centers. If you need to move heavy loads in a warehouse or factory, an electric pallet truck is a powerful and efficient option.

Manually operated pallet trucks feature two long prongs (also known as forks) that fit inside cargo pallets. They are powered by a hydraulic pump, which raises the forks and controls their direction. There are also two large steer wheels below the handlebar and load wheels underneath the forks to maneuver the pallet jack where it needs to go. The control buttons on the handlebar activate the hydraulic pump and turn the forks pallet truck supplier up or down. The forks can be raised to an optimum height for handling specific products. When not in use, the forks should be lowered and the lever left in the neutral position to avoid tripping hazards.

Riding a pallet jack isn’t recommended unless you’re fully trained and certified to do so. Like forklifts, riding a pallet truck can lead to back injuries such as sprains and dislocations if you’re not careful. However, with the right training and safety guidelines in place, you can operate a pallet jack safely without risking injury.