Hand pallet jack vs electric pallet truck
For moving pallets horizontally, the hand pallet jack is the most commonly used internal truck worldwide. The hand pallet jack owes that popularity to the low purchase price. When the placement frequency and the weight of the load increase, an electric pallet truck can be a wise option.
We outline the usage situation per truck.
Hand pallet jack: the perfect aid for occasional use.
The hand pallet jack is the perfect aid for those who have to move pallets intermittently and over limited distances. It is compact, handy and can be used by anyone. The hand pallet truck also offers advantages in the cargo bed of the truck; on the one hand thanks to its lighter weight, and on the other thanks to its compact dimensions, which guarantees easy maneuvering and confined spaces.
Standard hand pallet jack are often equipped with nylon wheels. Those who want more comfort can opt for a truck with rubber wheels. The "more luxurious" hand pallet jacks are also equipped with a rapid lift. The maximum lifting height is hereby achieved in significantly fewer strokes. This is useful when loads have to be picked up and moved more often. When choosing a hand pallet truck, the way in which the load can be places also deserves attention. For the maintenance of the warehouse loading floor and safety it is important to lower heavy loads. The lowering sensitivity of the lever can vary per hand pallet jack.
Use of manual pallet truck
The lifting capacity of a manual pallet truck can go up to 2 500 kg. For safety reasons it is recommended that the weight for a regularly used hand pallet truck is limited to a maximum of 750 kg. Starting the load takes a lot more effort and demands a lot from the body. For heavier loads above 750 kg it is advisable to consider switching to electrical powered pallet trucks. If the utilisation of the truck increases.
Electric pallet truck: an efficient solution
As the transport distances increase, the electrical powered pallet truck is an efficient solution. These pallet trucks are equipped with an electric motor that controls the driving and lifting of the load. Thanks to the electric motor, electric pallet trucks also have a greater load capacity than manual pallet trucks. The electric motor prevents heavy pulling and pushing when transporting heavier loads. The lowering of the load is also easier with an electric pallet truck. The weight of the load can move up to 3 500 kg, for even heavier loads, there are custom-made electric pallet trucks.
Different versions
Electric pallet trucks come in various designs and can therefore be optimally matched to the application conditions. The most obvious electrical alternative to the hand pallet truck is the electric pedestrian pallet truck. The operator walks behind or next to the pallet truck.
Nowadays there are also compact electric pallet trucks on the market. These dimensions barely differ from a hand pallet truck and can just as easily be taken into the load space of a truck or delivery van. For a carefree utilization, this new group of compact pallet trucks are often equipped with maintenance-free gel or lithium-ion batteries.
For the really long distances and frequent utilization, a ride-on platform offers extra comfort and safety for the operator. Ride-on platforms are available in a fixed or as a fold-away version, with which the pallet truck can still be maneuvered properly and safely even in confined spaces. The fixed platform offers extra ease of use for pallet trucks that are used intensively. For even more safety, the fixed platform can be provided with side and or back support, which offer the operator optimum protection.
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