Hand pallet trucks, also called manual pallet jacks or pump trucks, are piece of equipment used to facilitate the movement of goods through efficient material handling within warehouses, retail stores, and industrial operations. Hand pallet trucks are made to lift and move pallets of any merchandise easily and are one of the most essential products of nearly every industry. Though simple in design, hand-operated pallet trucks can provide heavy loads moving with great control and at less cost. This paper will describe the working mechanism of hand pallet trucks, its features, advantages, and most common uses.
What Are Hand Operated Pallet Trucks?
A hand operated pallet truck is a manually powered tool used for lifting and moving pallets. These trucks typically consist of a handle attached to two forks that slide under the pallet. A hit to the handle moving it up and down would result in a hydraulic action that lifts the pallet off the ground, and then one can easily steer the pallet to a new desired location by using the truck’s wheels. Lowering the pallet is just as easy as unleashing the hydraulic pressure with a lever located on the handle of a hand pallet truck.
As electric pallet trucks have to be recharged for them to work, hand pallet trucks do not use a battery and motor. They are, consequently low maintenance for businesses looking for a long-lasting and budget-friendly material handling solution.
Main Characteristics of Hand Pallet Trucks
A hand-operated pallet truck has a very simple design with two forks, one hydraulic pump, and a steering handle. This makes the machine easy to use and tough to break down. An operator does not require much training.
- Hydraulic Lift: The heart of the pallet truck is a hydraulic pump that, by pumping the handle, enables the operator to lift heavy pallets. The hydraulic system makes lifting very effortless, not even when dealing with loads of up to 2,500 kg or more.
- Manoeuvrability: Hand pallet trucks have swivel casters at the front and the back, thus maneuvering is possible. Operators can easily maneuver in narrow aisles and meager spaces; therefore, hand pallet trucks are suitable for usage in warehouse and retail floors as they can easily maneuver in crowded sections.
- Adjustable Forks: Most hand pallet trucks can accommodate different pallet sizes because they have adjustable fork widths. Such flexibility permits use in various types of pallets, hence enhancing the truck’s versatility.
- Strong: The truck is always made from high-strength steel. This is a guarantee that the trucks can, therefore, handle tough working conditions, meaning they can help a lot in heavy-duty usage. The robust construction of the truck makes it have the long-lasting performance even after operating the truck severally.
Benefits of Hand-Operated Pallet Trucks
- Cost-Effective: The most significant advantage of hand pallet trucks is their cost-effectiveness. A manual pallet jack is much cheaper than the motorized type. In fact, they are not very pricey and don’t require much maintenance. This makes them a more appealing option for small businesses or companies with limited budgets.
- Ergonomic Interface: The hand pallet truck is fairly simple to operate, and it does not need extensive control systems. Neither does its operation require tedious training: it only pumps the handle to lift and lower the pallet. Therefore, accidents or injuries are less likely to occur.
- Versatility: Hand pallet trucks may be used in different sites, including warehouses, manufacturing facilities, retail shops, and even in delivery trucks. In fact, their versatility is through their ability to accommodate diverse pallet sizes and weights.
- Low Maintenance: Hand pallet trucks do not have any electrical component or motor. Consequently, its moving parts are fewer in number. According to this characteristic, less maintenance is required as time passes to enable them to function over a long time and therefore reduce the cost of operations for businesses. In contrast, companies need to replace and repair the batteries and motors at great expense and service costs.
- Environment: As the pallet trucks are hand-operated, they rely only on human power to run and therefore do not produce any emissions, thus being environmentally friendly, as most companies want to reduce carbon footprint.
Common Applications
Hand pallet trucks are being used in several industries. They can be used in warehouses and distribution centers to load and unload trucks, but also can be used inside a warehouse for moving goods. Pallet trucks become useful in a retail environment for restocking shelves or even rearranging the inventory. Inter-station movement of raw material or product between manufacturing stages is also common in a manufacturing plant using them.
Conclusion
Hand pallet trucks are still so important in material handling nowadays because they are simple, inexpensive, and versatile. Even after the improvements on automation and electric options, hand pallet jacks are still one of the most practical alternatives for most companies. With ease of use and minimal maintenance required, hand pallet trucks are good for handling different loads such as moving goods in almost any work setting.
