Pallet Truck Buying Guide
A hand pallet truck is an industrial truck designed to transport pallets of goods around a warehouse or to load a lorry or container. Pallet trucks have their front wheels mounted inside the end of the forks, and as the hydraulic jack is raised, the forks are separated vertically from the front wheels, forcing the load upward until it clears the floor. The pallet is only lifted enough to clear the floor for subsequent travel.
Pallet trucks are available in either manual pump truck format commonally known as a hand pallet truck or as an electric powered pallet truck. Hand pallet trucks require the operator to pump the handle of the truck to raise the load through the hydraulic jack and the operator also has to pull the truck and load to its required position. It is therefore important for health and safety to carefully consider the weight of loads being carried and distances involved.
Powered pallet trucks are motorised to allow lifting and moving of heavier stacked pallets. These sometimes contain a platform for the user to stand on while hauling pallets around a warehouse or loading/unloading lorries. The powered pallet truck is generally moved by a throttle on the handle or tiller head to move forward or in reverse and steered by swinging the handle in the intended direction. Most powered pallet trucks feature an emergency brake to stop the machine should the user need to stop quickly or leave the machine while it is in use.
The obvious advantage of the pallet truck is the efficiency and productivity it can bring to a warehouse or factory operation compared to moving goods by hand. The time and effort required by employees will be diminshed and fewer persons will be needed to complete the task. Pallet trucks reduce the risk of accidents, damage to goods and personal injury to employees. Powered pallet trucks again significantly reduce this risk further and help boost productivity. Businesses that frequently move heavy pallets loads should invest in powered pallet trucks over hand pallet trucks.
Hand Pallet trucks – points to consider
A hand pallet truck will cost from about £180 upwards and you will find many different makes and suppliers. It is important to choose a strong and reliable make and also check that the supplier can provide parts and support in case of a breakdown. You may find that a cheap truck proves uneconomical in the long run if its unreliable or parts are expensive. So choose a supplier that won’t let you down. Check to see what warrenty is available on the pump as these can be expensive to replace.
Check the load capacity of the pallet truck matches the maximum weight of your loads – most trucks range in the 1500-2500kg range and consider a powered pallet truck for heavier loads. Look at the pump action on the truck since a lower number of pumps to fully raise the load will help reduce effort. Choose a truck that features a value that allows a controlled rate of descent to help reduce damage to goods. For applications that are corrosive or where hygiene is important consider a stainless steel pallet truck. Finally make sure the fork length and width match your pallets.