Pallet Trucks

WHAT IS A PALLET TRUCK?

A pallet truck, also know as a pallet jack is a two forked hydraulic truck that moves pallets over medium to short distances. It’s useful for manoeuvring around tight spaces where your forklift truck cannot reach. They typically start from a 2t capacity and can reach up to 5t. They’re designed specifically to lift wood or plastic pallets. They’re a cost-effective solution when you do not want to invest in a forklift truck. They also take a lot less maintenance.

WHERE WOULD YOU USE A PALLET TRUCK?

Pallet Trucks are used in multiple industries, as they are typically found in warehouses, distribution centres, and supermarkets, where the moving of pallets and palletised goods is frequently needed. Pallet Trucks offer advantages across any industry where minimisation of manual labour can be beneficial. 

HOW A PALLET TRUCK WORKS AND HOW TO USE THEM

A standard hydraulic pallet jack uses a hydraulic system that lifts and lowers pallets within its lifting range. It lifts pallets up with it's forks and allows you to move and transport your pallet around your facility. 

Instructions:

First, you find your pallet and slide the truck forks in the pallet pockets, ensure your forks are positioned correctly under the pallet. You lift and lower the pallet jack by pumping the handle up and down until you’ve achieved the required height.

Moving the pallet truck does take manual effort from the operator, be sure to always have two hands on the truck handle. You can direct the pallet truck in any forward or backwards movement, the handle will twist 180 degrees, allowing you to make a full 360-degree rotation.

Once you’ve reached the destination the pallet needs to be placed, slowly release the pallet down by operating the release lever that it located at the top of the truck handle. Once it has safely descended simply pull the pallet truck out of the pallet pockets.

WHAT KINDS OF PALLET TRUCKS ARE THERE?

Pallet Trucks come in different sizes and varieties, each of which is designed to fulfil a specific purpose or for handling a different kind of load. Some examples include electric pallet trucks, hand-operated pallet trucks, and high lift pallet trucks, each of which offer their own unique benefit, and fulfil a unique requirement. Different industries or workplaces may opt for a different type of Pallet Truck depending on their individual needs from efficiency, safety, and adaptability perspectives.

IS AN ELECTRIC OR HAND-OPERATED PALLET TRUCK BETTER?

The choice between an electric or hand-operated pallet truck depends on the workload required and the budget and space available. Manual Pallet Trucks are more cost-effective, require no charging, and work well in tight spaces but demand physical labour and are slower for heavy loads. Electric pallet trucks reduce physical strain, boost efficiency, and handle heavier loads over long distances but come with higher costs, maintenance needs, and charging requirements. Typically, for small warehouses or occasional use, manual trucks are ideal, while electric models are better for high-volume, heavy-load operations where efficiency and worker safety matter most.

HOW MUCH CAN A PALLET TRUCK CARRY?

The weight-bearing capacity of a Pallet Truck will vary massively depending on the specific pump truck in question. Most manual pallet trucks can handle at least 2000 kilograms, but some of the more robust models can handle in excess of 5000 kilograms. Additionally, some electric pallet trucks can handle and even lift up to 7000kg. 

HOW BIG IS A PALLET TRUCK?

No two Pallet Trucks are going to be the exact same size, however, there is some level of standardisation when it comes to the teeth or forks of the Pallet Truck. Most Pallet Trucks have forks with a width of 27 inches and a length of 48 inches as this fits with the most common pallet sizes, however, smaller sizes are available for easier manoeuvrability and smaller pallets. 

OUR PALLET TRUCKS

Lifting Equipment Store’s range of Pallet Handling Jacks are fitted with high-quality hydraulic systems to ensure easy lifting. Incorporated with safe and secure lowering Pallet moving apparatus and Electric Stackers, our range is ideal for lifting and moving material loads and wooden/plastic pallets from one area to another, without the need for strenuous manual labour. 

• Our extensive range features models for all types of applications such as:
  Printer Moving Pallet Trucks
• Long Fork Pump Trucks
• Weighing Scale Handling Trucks
• Low Profile pallet trucks
• Galvanized Stainless Steel Pump Trucks

WHAT ARE THE BEST HAND PALLET TRUCKS FOR YOUR APPLICATION?

Affordable Pallet Trucks

If you’re looking for an everyday pallet truck, we’d recommend our LES Pallet Truck, it has a capacity of 2500kg so this will be suitable for most of the pallets you will need to lift. It's a perfect solution for any warehouse if you're needing to lift Euro spec pallets.

Electric Pallet Trucks 

When using a pallet truck and you’re pushing and pulling a load over 1,000kgs, it is quite difficult for the operator, and it can become quite tiring. This is when we recommend you upgrade to an electric pallet truck like our LES Electric Pallet Truck. It provides the operator with a better manoeuvrability than a manual pallet truck. We have options in either 2t or 3t capacity. Powered Pallet Trucks are preferable when you’re using them on incline and decline terrain.

Long Fork Pallet Jacks

In some situations, you need long pallet forks to lift an extra-long pallet. There are many options to choose from, but the most popular in the market is the Pfaff Proline Long Fork Hand Pallet Truck, these are designed and made in Germany and have a reach of 2000mm in useable fork length.

Pallet Truck with Weigh Scale

It’s especially useful to know the weight of your pallet in warehouse & dispatching facilities. We supply trucks with the ability to weigh loads of up to 2000kg in 1kg increments via an LCD display. The Pfaff Weighing Scale Pallet Truck will be the most reliable & accurate truck to have in your facility If you need to weigh pallets over 2000kgs, please contact us and we will be able to provide you with a solution.

HOW TO BUY A PALLET TRUCK

It’s a common piece of equipment in warehouses, all you need to make sure of is that it holds the right WLL for your pallet/load. And you need to make sure the pallet jack forks are long enough. You don’t need to have a license to use a pallet truck in the UK, but you must ensure you’re trained in safely operating them.

Make sure when purchasing a pallet truck you are receiving a EC Certificate of Conformity, this is essential and it is a legal requirement in the UK and EU to have this. Your lifting need to conduct a LOLER inspection within the time frame stated in LOLER regulations. 

If you need any advice with servicing, take a look at our Service & Repairs page – we will be happy to conduct any servicing requirements for lifting or material handling equipment.