28 Apr 2026
What Is a Pallet Truck? A Simple Guide to This Essential Lifting Equipment
What is a pallet truck? Sometimes known as a pump truck, a pallet jack, a hand truck and even a pallet pump, whatever you call them, they are essential pieces of equipment for moving a variety of heavy loads across a workplace.
Our lifting equipment experts have compiled this simple guide to tell you everything you need to know about them and the various types.
What Is a Pallet Truck?
In the simplest terms, a pallet truck is one of the most recognisable pieces of equipment in any industry where deliveries of pallets are common. They have two protruding forks that fit and slide into the standardised gaps of any pallet and then, using hydraulics, can lift an impressive amount of weight off the ground for far easier movement.
There are many different types of pallet trucks available that can find great use in various industries like warehousing, stockrooms, delivery environments, construction sites, retail and virtually any location that has palletised goods delivered.
How Does a Pallet Truck Work?
A pallet truck operates using a simple but fantastically effective mechanism that has been purposefully designed for ease of use. Its forks slide underneath a pallet (not unlike a forklift), positioning securely to support the load. By either pumping the handle on manual systems or pressing a button on motorised ones, a hydraulic system is activated, raising the forks and lifting the pallet slightly off the ground.
This lift reduces friction, allowing the wheels to move the load smoothly across surfaces. Steering is controlled by the handle, making it easy to manoeuvre even in tight spaces. To set the load down, the user gently lowers it using the bicycle brake-style handle release. Overall, pallet trucks are straightforward, efficient and require the most minimal training to operate safely.
What Is a Pallet Truck Used For?
A pallet truck is most commonly used to handle and transport palletised goods within warehouses, stockrooms and retail spaces. It simplifies the process of loading and unloading deliveries, helping to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently. Ideal for moving heavy items over short distances, pallet trucks allow users to shift loads quickly without excessive physical effort.
They are also valuable during any picking and packing tasks, enabling workers to transport multiple products in one trip. By greatly reducing the need for manual lifting, pallet trucks help lower the risk of injury while improving overall productivity. This makes them a proven, practical and endlessly reliable tool in any busy working environment.
What Is a Hand Pallet Truck?
What many people will identify as a pallet truck is actually a ‘hand’ pallet truck, and requires users to manually pump a handle up and down for lift-off and before pulling something similar to a bicycle brake handle to release the hydraulic fluid and lower the freight back onto the ground in a slow, safe and controlled manner.
Types of Pallet Trucks Explained
Hand Operated Pump Pallet Trucks
A hand operated pump pallet truck is one of the most recognisable pieces of lifting equipment that money can buy. This is because they are simple, efficient and endlessly reliable choices for everyday material handling that anyone can use with barely any training. Explore our range of cost-effective and easily maintained options.
Electric Powered Pallet Trucks
An electric powered pallet truck has been designed to make this already simple, labour saving solution even simpler by using a battery-powered system both for lifting and movement. They have been designed specifically for heavier, more intensive tasks and can greatly improve workplace efficiency.
Specialist Pallet Trucks
Specialised pallet trucks are just that, specialised. These have been designed for specific tasks, whether that may be far heavier lifts than normal or cut down for smaller locations. Whatever your unique needs are there is sure to be a pallet truck for you.
Key Benefits of Using a Pallet Truck
Efficiency
Using a pallet truck is ideal for moving, handling and transferring heavy goods in faster, smoother operations. It also cuts down on the number of people needed to move a single object.
Ease of Use
Pallet trucks, by design, have been made with total simplicity being at the forefront. They require minimal training and have controls that anyone can use.
Cost-Effective
They can operate and complete tasks similar (lower weights) to that of a forklift, but at a fraction of the cost, upkeep and space requirements.
Versatility
A pallet truck is ideal for a huge number of different industries like logistics warehousing, retail, manufacturing, construction and more.
Pallet Truck vs Forklift: What’s the Difference?
While both are used to move goods, pallet trucks and forklifts differ in capability, accessibility, user interface, prior qualifications and eventual application. Pallet trucks are ideal for transporting loads over short distances at ground level, with limited lift height. They are available in manual and powered versions and are simple to operate without specialist training.
Forklifts are built for more demanding tasks like lifting far heavier items to higher storage areas. They require fully certified operators due to their complexity and increased levels of potential risks. For straightforward, day-to-day handling, pallet trucks remain a more convenient and accessible choice.
How to Choose the Right Pallet Truck
There are many factors to choosing a pallet truck. What is the maximum weight you will need to move? How often will it be in use? What kind of space do you have? And so many other options. Then once you figure out what you need it for you need to decide whether a specialised, electric powered or manual one will work better.
When selected correctly, a pallet truck can greatly boost operational efficiency so it is important to get it right. That is why the experts here at LES are on hand to listen to your needs and help you select the right one for your needs. Shop our pallet trucks or get in touch with us for further advice.
