Consider the following before making a final decision. This will help you ensure you are buying or renting the best pallet jack for your specific needs. Pallet jack dimensions and weight capacityīecause every pallet jack is slightly different depending on the manufacturer (make and model), it’s important to look closely at certain factors before buying. Typical applications: Moving heavier materials in outdoor, all-terrain setting.Industry uses: Construction sites, garden centers, and other outdoor applications.Height capacity: Around 7”+ off the ground (depending on the make and model).Power source: Electric (battery-powered) or gas.Their forks can usually be adjusted for materials of different sizes. Rough terrain pallet jacks also frequently have larger, water-tight, smooth-rolling wheels to comfortably for uneven surfaces, such as gravel. Many electric pallet jacks also have a platform behind the jack’s handle, which the user can stand on to operate the machine.
In contrast to a hand-powered manual pallet jack, an electrical pallet jack (aka powered pallet jack, pallet truck, or walkie) has an electrical motor and can be used to lift heavier cargo or stacks of cargo. Typical applications: Basic inventory tasks, such as moving a stack of cargo onto a loading dock or moving pallets onto a warehouse shelf.Typical industry uses: Warehouse, manufacturing.Height capacity: Around 7” off the ground.Power source: Mechanical hand-powered hydraulic pump.Then, once the cargo has been lifted efficiently, the user can squeeze on the lever to lower the forks back to the ground. Essentially, the user will “push” on a lever to raise the pallet jack’s forks off the ground and lift the cargo upward. Most manual pallet jacks use a mechanical pump-operated system. They are designed to lift wooden “pallets” of material, and carry lightweight to medium weight cargo over short distances without injuring or straining the worker. They are typically used for horizontal movement, rather than lifting cargo to an elevated height. Manual pallet jacks are hand-powered machines, and the most commonly used type of pallet jack in warehouse and retail settings. Note that each of these pallet jacks are used for different industry and movement purposes, so make sure to find the one that fits your needs. There are 3 main types of pallet jacks that are typically used for commercial purposes. Lastly, pallet jacks have wheels in the front which allow workers to easily maneuver the jack around the workplace.This handle releases hydraulic fluid, which allows the jack to lift to its height capacity. The pallet jack has a large lever or handle that workers can push to lower or raise the jack.These forks can be inserted underneath material or a load of pallets. Pallet jacks have two “forks” that sit at the ground level when not being used.Pallet jacks – both manual and electric versions – are one of the most simple forklifts and are very easy to use. They can be used to load and unload truck shipments, raise items to storage shelves, or relocating heavy items from the ground to a higher location. However, there are a few other industries that reap the benefits of a pallet jack as well.Įssentially, a pallet jack is a simple forklift that can be used anywhere commercial materials need to be moved around frequently. Pallet jacks are most commonly used in retail and warehouse settings. max), whereas order pickers can help warehouse workers reach heights of up to 35 feet. Pallet jacks can typically lift materials up to 1-2 ft. Reduce risk of injuries and inventory damage.Are very affordable (including maintenance).Move material across short/long distances quickly.
They are an ideal piece of warehouse equipment because they:
Pallet jacks are one of the most basic and commonly used types of material handling equipment, and are very frequently used in warehouses, manufacturing, and retail settings. A pallet jack (aka pallet truck, pallet pump, or pump truck) is a type of material handling forklift used to easily and conveniently lift and move “pallets” of materials, such as inventory, that cannot easily be moved manually.