Pallet trucks are used as a means of transporting pallets around a warehouse, plant or other workspace. They operate by mounting the front wheels inside the end of the forks, and as the hydraulic jack is raised, the forks will be separated vertically from the front wheels, forcing the load upward until it clears the floor. The pallets are only lifted enough to clear the floor to achieve subsequent travel. There are two common types of pallet trucks in operation today. The first and most simple one is the hand pallet truck. These are ideal for use in warehouses where pallets are stored mainly at ground level. The operator of these trucks will walk behind it to control the direction which it moves in using a simple steering mechanism. The forks will slide underneath a pallet, and the operator will use a lever to gently activate the lifting mechanism on the device. The manual pallet trucks are then used to walk the elevated pallet over to a new location on the warehouse or plant floor. The second type of pallet truck frequently used is the electric pallet truck. These are motorized to provide extra power which will enable the lifting and movement of more heavy and stacked pallets and stabilizes the load to it can move around easily. Electric pallet trucks usually feature a platform which the operator will stand on while transporting pallets around a warehouse or loading and unloading trucks. Sometimes they are also constructed with a seating area for the operator. Electric pallet trucks are generally controlled by a throttle on the handle to move it forward or backwards and then steered by swinging the handle in the intended direction. In a situation or workplace where pallets are stacked in layers of two or more, these electrically powered pallet trucks will be the most suitable option. Pallet trucks are in many ways quite similar to forklifts providing much of the same manoeuvrability. However, the main difference between the two is that unlike forklifts, pallet trucks tend to be built for use in an indoor facility, rather than being constructed for both indoor and outdoor use.About the Author:
This piece was written by Holly Forster who works across a number of industrial and commercial titles. For information on pallet trucks