Material handling and warehouse operation is strenuous work that can cause a lot of physical and mental exhaustion for your employees. Pallet jacks allow your employees to work more efficiently with minimal risk of injury.
What Are Pallet Jacks?
A pallet jack—also known as a pallet truck, pallet pump, or pallet mover—is an industrial tool used to lift and move pallets. Pallet jacks are a simplified, more basic version of a forklift.
What Are Pallet Jacks Used For?
Pallet jacks are one of the most essential tools used in warehouses. They are used for transporting small pallet loads for short distances and are specifically made for horizontal transportation.
Pallet jacks allow employees to move wooden pallets of material across warehouses without putting any strain on them to lift the jacks up or down. A common use for pallet jacks is to transfer loads from the loading dock to the pallet racks or shelving areas to be stored away. In contrast, they can also prepare orders for shipment and carry material from storage to the docking stations.
Types of Pallet Jacks
Traditionally, there are two types of pallet jacks: manual and motorized.
Manual Pallet Jacks
Manual pallet jacks are hand-powered and are most commonly used for retail and warehousing operations. They are used for lifting, lowering, and steering pallets from one spot to another. Manual pallet jacks are predominantly used to load and unload trucks at the docking station.
These jacks possess a hydraulic spring that can lift pallets up to six inches off the ground. The load capacity of a standard manual pallet jack is usually between 3,000 and 5,500 pounds.
Motorized Pallet Jacks
Motorized pallet jacks—also known as electric pallet jacks, electric pallet trucks, or power jacks—use electricity to lift and move stacked pallets. The person operating the powered pallet jack uses a throttle on the handle to move the machine forward or backward and steers it by maneuvering the handle in the intended direction. Motorized pallet jacks are generally used to transport pallets throughout the warehouse.
Like manual power jacks, motorized pallet jacks can lift loads up to six inches off the ground. However, they have a lift capacity of up to 4,500 pounds.
Schelkovskiy &Co Brennan Equipment Services has been Ohio and Indiana’s premier material handling equipment provider for over 60 years. Contact us today to learn why our clients trust us with their warehouse operations!
Benefits of Using Pallet Jacks
Pallet jacks offer various benefits to your warehouse operations, including:
Reduced Injuries
Pallet jacks allow heavy materials to be moved easily, taking the physical strain off of your employees.
Lowered Costs
Motorized pallet jacks are powered by electricity, making them more budget friendly and energy efficient than gasoline-operated equipment.
Increased Employee Morale
When you use a pallet jack, employees are less fatigued because they aren’t using as much energy to lift the pallets. Workers are happier overall because they are able to do their job more efficiently without the physical and mental exhaustion of lifting heavy materials.
Versatility
Pallet jacks are versatile and can lift almost anything, whether it be pallets, boxes, furniture, or other heavy materials. They also come in many shapes and sizes, which enable you to choose a model that works best for your facility.
Your Ultimate Pallet Jack Supplier
Schelkovskiy &Co Brennan Equipment Services is Ohio and Indiana’s leading pallet jack supplier. We meet the equipment needs of local businesses and deliver professional service they can trust. Our team of highly trained, certified professionals is ready to help serve your business as well. Get in touch with us today to take your warehouse efficiency to the next level.