Hand pallet trucks are also called pallet jacks or pump trucks and are one of the most widely used tools in material handling in a warehouse, retail store, and manufacturing facility. These devices are manually operated by the user for the purpose of lifting and safely moving pallets within short distances. Unlike the electrical or motorized pallet trucks, hand pallet trucks run solely by the physical strength of a human being; thus, they are very economical and require minor maintenance. In this article, we are going to brief you on the major features, types, advantages, and applications of hand pallet trucks.
Table of Contents
What is a Hand Pallet Truck?
A hand pallet truck is a device that uses man-power to move palletized materials. It has two forks that run under a pallet, also, it has the hydraulic system attached with a handle. The operator pumps within the handle to elevate the forks above ground; later they push or pull the truck to move the load. When the operator has positioned the pallet, the rest of the pallet safe on the ground is due to releasing the hydraulic pressure.
Hand pallet trucks are simple but really effective lifting tools used to shift heavy loads. Depending on the type, the ranges of hand pallet trucks vary from 2,000 pounds to 5,500 pounds (900 to 2,500 kg). They have affordability, simplicity in operation and durability, making them suitable for any business size.
Key Features of Hand Pallet Trucks
1. Hand Pallet Trucks are manually operated.
Hand pallet trucks are manually powered, so there is no need for electricity or any kind of battery. The lifting pump is operated through a hydraulic pump system by manual pumping at the handle. This keeps things simple and prevents any possibility of power sources and decreases the cost as well.
2. Design of Forks
They have two prongs which resemble forks that slide under the pallet to hoist and maneuver it. The fork length varies between 36 to 48 inches or 91 to 122 cm, but this may vary depending on the model. The width of the forks also varies to accommodate standard pallets, though adjustable models can take non-standard pallets.
3. Heavy-Duty Construction
The pallet trucks are made with rough materials like steel or reinforced aluminum, to make the product long-lasting. The rollers are generally polyurethane or rubber, which provide smooth travel to the product and decrease floor wear and tear.
4. Ergonomic Handle
The hand pallet truck has a handle for comfort to the operator for easy maneuverability. This usually has three functions: raise, neutral or free movement, and lowering-all on one lever.
5. Load Capacity
Hand pallet trucks are available in various load capacities, usually within the 2,000 pounds to 5,500 pounds range. The capacity will vary by purpose and the weight of the pallets to be moved. High capacity versions do exist for use in industries moving loads specifically more heavy than those listed.
Types of Hand Pallet Trucks
Hand pallet trucks come in different types to suit various applications. Some popular forms include:
1. Standard Hand Pallet Truck
This is the most universal and the most widely used variety, designed for general-purpose material handling. It is best suited for moving pallets on standard pallets in warehouses, retail stores, and small businesses. The usual day-to-day task can be best performed by this variety. Due to loads of 5,500 pounds, the common day-to-day tasks can easily be attended to by this variety.
2. Low-Profile Hand Pallet Truck
Low-profile hand pallet trucks are designed to take pallets with a lower clearance such as those that industries use. Trucks for this purpose have fork height lower than the standard size but it is typically set at 2 inches (5 cm). This will be used in under pallets or skids that are not as wide and standard.
3. Hand pallet truck with high lift
A high-lift pallet truck is basically provided with a scissor mechanism that allows a far greater height to which the forks can lift pallets. This works perfectly in loading and unloading material on to workbenches or into conveyors, thus eliminating bending or lifting by hand.
4. Weighing Hand Pallet Truck
Some hand pallet trucks are fitted with a scale that enable the operators to weigh loads as the movement is in progress. This type is particularly very useful in shipping and receiving departments, especially when it is necessary to verify the weight of pallets for inventory management or shipping purposes.
5. Special Use Hand Pallet Trucks
Some applications may require special or specific pallet trucks, such as those made of stainless steel for food processing or pharmaceutical environments, where hygiene and resistance to corrosion are at a premium.
Advantages of Hand Pallet Trucks
1. Cost-Effective
Hand pallet trucks are more cost-effective in material handling than electric or battery operated pallet trucks. There is fewer part count and no requirement for power, so they are less demanding to maintain and cheaper to purchase upfront.
2. Easy to Use
Hand pallet trucks are very easy to operate with minimal training because of their simple design and manual operation. Operating staff members can very easily be trained and enabled to master the operating of these machines in moving pallets within a facility efficiently.
3. Low Maintenance
Because hand pallet trucks are manual, with relatively few moving parts, there is little maintenance required. Generally, all a truck needs is periodic lubrication of the hydraulic system and monitoring of the wheels and forks for occasional adjustment or replacement.
4. Multifunctionality
Hand pallet trucks can be applied in nearly any kind of industry-one from where warehouse and manufacturing, through retail and construction-will realize their value as a needed tool when moving pallets.
5. Compact and maneuverable
Hand pallet trucks are small and easy to maneuver through tight spaces, narrow aisles, and cramped storage areas. They have a very small footprint, which makes them easy to store out of the way when not in use.
Applications of Hand Pallet Trucks
Hand pallet trucks are applied in several industries and stages. Most notable applications are;
Warehousing and Distribution Centers
They are well-suited for intralogistic movements between storage and loading platform as well as inventory management.
Retail Stores
These products help in transporting merchandise between stockrooms and the sales floor, allowing for fast restocking.
Manufacturing Plants
They are applied in moving raw materials, finished goods and components from one workstation to another or storage area.
Construction Sites
Hand pallet trucks are applied in carrying heavy construction materials which may include bricks, tiles, among others, and construction machines across the work sites.
Shipping and Receiving Departments
Hand pallet trucks are useful in loading and offloading trucks as well as transporting cargo within shipping areas.
Conclusion
Hand pallet trucks are one of the most critical equipment used in all industries for effective material handling. They are cheap, very friendly, and long-lasting, making them the practical solution for long-distance dragging heavy pallets. Even from a warehouse to a shop, or from a manufacturing plant, they can be used to improve productivity, minimize the use of manual labor, and ensure workplace safety. To date, for businesses that are looking for a better and more economic means of handling palletized goods, hand pallet trucks have been considered to be one of the best options.
