Hand pallet truck

The hand pallet truck: an essential tool for handling loads

The hand pallet truck is a widely used handling tool in industry, logistics, and commerce for moving heavy loads, particularly pallets. Also known as a pallet jack or handling cart, it allows for easy and safe movement of bulky and heavy loads over short distances.

Different types of hand pallet trucks

There are several types of hand pallet trucks, which differ in their mode of operation and load capacity. Here are the main categories:

• Manual hand pallet truck: the most common, it is operated by the user's force to move loads. It is easy to use and does not require any specific training. Its load capacity generally ranges from 1.5 to 3 tons.
• Electric hand pallet truck: equipped with an electric motor, it facilitates the movement of loads effortlessly. It is particularly suitable for repetitive operations and long distances. Its load capacity can go up to 3.5 tons.
• High lift hand pallet truck: also called a stacker, it allows for lifting loads up to a certain height, typically between 1 and 3 meters. It can be manual or electric.
• Rough terrain hand pallet truck: designed for outdoor use, it is equipped with wider wheels adapted to uneven surfaces.

Operation of a hand pallet truck

The hand pallet truck consists of a handle, two parallel forks, and a lifting system. The user operates the handle to steer the device and maneuvers the forks under the pallet to be moved. The lifting system is then activated to lift the pallet off the ground. Depending on the type of hand pallet truck, the lifting can be done manually (by pumping the handle) or automatically (by electric control).

Criteria for choosing a hand pallet truck

To choose the hand pallet truck that suits your needs, several criteria must be taken into account:

• Load capacity: depending on the loads to be moved, make sure that the chosen hand pallet truck can support their weight.
• Fork dimensions: they must be adapted to the size of the pallets you handle.
• Type of ground: if you need to use the hand pallet truck on uneven surfaces, opt for a rough terrain model.
• Frequency of use: for repetitive operations or long distances, prefer an electric model.
• Lifting height: if you need to stack pallets, opt for a stacker.

The hand pallet truck is an indispensable tool for facilitating the movement of heavy and bulky loads. Several types are available to meet the specific needs of each user. The choice of the right model depends on the load capacity, fork dimensions, type of ground, and frequency.