Battery-powered pallet truck- The Ultimate FAQ article

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If you’re also looking to use a battery-powered pallet truck to improve the efficiency of your business, you must know all about the machine.

This guide will assist you in avoiding any trial and error.

You will find all answers to the questions you have always pondered before buying one.

What is a battery-powered pallet truck?

An electric pallet truck refers to the equipment employed for low-level lifting as well as moving pallets.

They can also be called battery-powered pallet trucks, walkies, and single or double pallet trucks. A few battery-powered pallet trucks consist of a platform.

The operator can stand on it while moving the pallets

You can use the pallet truck to maneuver palletized products from one place to another.

Electric pallet trucks are more commonly used in manufacturing plants, warehouses, and storage facilities.

They are the essential pieces of equipment that you would need in the material handling industry.

Manufacturers mount the front wheels of the pallet truck inside the fork’s end.

When the hydraulic truck rises, all forks get separated from the front wheels vertically.

That lifts the load upward until it clears the ground.

You only have to lift the pallet enough to clear the ground for subsequent travel.

To move in reverse or forward, the operators mostly use a throttle on the handle.

You can move the steering by simply swinging the handle of the pallet in the intended direction.

You can use “plugging” to stop the machine.

That also allows you to turn the throttle from reverse to forward or vice-versa.

That way, you can stop or reverse the machine.

Figure 1: Battery-powered pallet truck

How to use a battery-powered pallet truck?

The simplest form of a forklift while moving around pallets in a warehouse is an electric pallet truck.

The battery pack supplies power to the pallet truck.

It can operate for many hours before you need to recharge it.

To use a battery-powered pallet truck, you need to know the following requirements:

• Make sure that before you use the pallet, the forks are at their lowest position.
• Ensure that you pull the truck behind you or you walk with it beside you.
• To twist or shift the pallet truck in the desired direction, you need to use a controller.
• The vehicle should be plugged inside a charging port once you are done using it.

It’s also crucial that if you need to operate an electric pallet truck at your job, you must have the correct training.

It’s the employer’s duty to provide you with adequate training.

What your training covers depend on where you are working and what you need to learn.

Click on the link below to see a training video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhWq8Q8RX1c

Figure 2: A person operating an electric pallet truck

What are the Personal attributes you need to have to operate an electric pallet truck?

If your job requires you to operate a battery-powered pallet truck, you have to be mentally and physically fit for the role.

The physical aspect needs you to manage heavy stacks.

On the other hand, the mental aspect requires you to focus on a lot of your tasks.

If you have any underlying medical conditions like heart disease or asthma, you should avoid operating this machine as it can enhance the risks to your health.

There is no limit to experience for taking the test, but you will score better if you have a trainer.

You will know exactly what you are capable of, and you won’t take on too much load that you’ll be unable to handle.

What are the safety guidelines you need to follow while operating this machine?

With all warehouse equipment, safety needs to be your top priority, and it’s the primary reason why you need sufficient training.

You will get briefed on health and the safety procedure after you start your job.

Here are some safety measures you need to take:

• Be well informed about the pallet truck’s maximum lifting capacity:

You need to ensure that you are aware of the maximum capacity of load the truck can lift.

That needs to be printed on the pallet truck, or it should be available as a part of the manifesto.

When you train, you will learn how much load various models can lift.

It’s recommended that you always keep the load under the maximum limit and not reach it.

• Inspect before usage and always fill out a pre-operation inspection sheet

Before you use an electric pallet truck, you need to fully check that everything in the machine seems to be in good working condition.

Give a proper look at the controls.

That way you can confirm if they are working properly.

Also, don’t forget to inspect the wheels to make sure that they are sturdy.

By inspecting everything, there will be fewer chances of an issue occurring with a load during the ride.

You also have to fill out a pre-operation inspection sheet, prior to using the truck.

That will ensure that the truck is in good mechanical condition.

If the machine doesn’t pass the inspection, refrain from using it and report the malfunctioning equipment to the supervisor.

• Beware of the swing:

You must always be cautious of the electric power truck’s wide swing.

Your body, especially the ankles and feet needs to be clear of the battery-powered pallet truck.

When you are operating the truck, avoid walking backward and always face the direction of travel.

You must also avoid operating the electric truck on a ramp.

• Know the position of the emergency button and never use your body to stop the truck 

On the operating handle, you will find a red button for emergency reverse.

With the help of this button, you will be able to prevent the battery-powered pallet truck from running you over.

The weight of an electric pallet truck with a full load is almost equal to a car.

You cannot push, drag or stop the pallet truck.

You should never try to use your body to stop the movement of the electric pallet truck.

• You should know how to remove the pallet when it’s stuck on the forks:

If the pallet gets stuck on the forks, there are only two possible ways to safely remove it.

You can use the hydraulics on the control arm to move the forks to and fro.

That will loosen the pallet.

If the first method doesn’t work, you can take help from a forklift driver.

They will place their forks in the pallet’s side and that will help to slide it off.

• Check your route:

Before you set out on your journey, quickly look around to ensure that the route you are taking is safe to drive on and is clear.

You can take a coworker with you if the load is extremely large and it’s obstructing your view.

• Exercise proper maintenance of the pallet:

Before you use the pallet, make sure you inspect it carefully for any rotten or loose sections.

Even if you have used the pallet to carry the load before, check it again before using it next time.

It’s possible that the previous loads weakened the boards.

After you are finished with the pallets, store them in a very dry part of the warehouse.

That will help them stay in a good working condition.

• When you spot an issue, speak up:

If you suspect that any part of the pallet truck is malfunctioning, report it to the supervisor immediately.

That could include the trucks that are worn or damaged.

The hydraulic unit could have failed or there could be flat spots on the wheels.

It’s also possible that the wheels are not rolling well.

All these issues are serious and can lead to serious injury.

• Only use the electric pallet truck as intended:

You need to treat the pallet trucks adequately as they are regarded as heavy machinery.

Don’t hop on it for a joyride around the warehouse or just randomly stand on them.

When you use the electric pallet trucks only for their purpose, they are safe.

However, they can end up becoming dangerous if they are handled improperly.

If you see a colleague/coworker using a pallet truck for unintended purposes, stop them immediately.

If you intervene on time, you can prevent a serious accident from taking place.

Figure 3: safety training. With adequate training, you will always stay safe.

What is the required skillset for operating a battery-powered pallet truck?

Stacking and loading:

If you are aware of the trappings of the warehouse, you will also be more familiar with stacking and loading the packages.

What you will cover in the training will be an advancement of what you have already learned while working.

You will be taught how to maintain the security and safety of the packages.

You will also understand how to protect yourself in this process.

• Maneuvering

You will be managing quite a heavy load, and you’ll have to navigate it around the warehouse.

When you are dealing with a battery-powered pallet truck, the motor will do most of the work.

That means you are less likely to get an injury related to strains.

However, you still have to ensure that the heavier loads don’t collide with any object or person in the warehouse.

• Manual handling

All trainers and employers need to have a sense of how to fare with the manual handling responsibility before getting on with handling the electric equipment.

You can gain this experience from working with a manual pallet truck.

What are the things you need to specifically check?

Before you start operating a battery-powered pallet truck, you need to carry out a few routine checks:

• Check for scratches or cracks.
• See if there is any oil leakage from the cylinder.
• The movement and grip of the wheels need to be smooth.
• Check the lowering and lifting functions via the controls.
• Ensure all bolts and nuts are firmly tightened.
• Check for any exposed electrical wires or broken hoses.

If you happen to come across any of these issues, report to an authority figure immediately and make sure no one is operating the pallet truck until it’s repaired.

Your trainer will most likely go over these aspects during the safety checks, but you should also feel obliged to carry out this role religiously yourself.

In this video, you will get a better idea of what things you need to inspect:

Do you need a license for operating a battery-powered pallet truck?

Having a driver’s license to operate a pallet is not necessary.

However, in some countries, you might need a certification to operate an electric pallet truck.

In the USA, OSHA does not have a standard certification.

But they ask companies that use battery-powered pallet trucks to have a separate certification program for their employees.

You will get that individual certification once you have completed your course.

Some courses also come with an expiry date.

That’s why you might have to enroll in another course later on.

Figure 4: Training for operating a battery-powered pallet truck. The way this person is learning, you can too.

Risk assessments:

Such courses primarily help you gain knowledge about how to avoid the dangers that come with using an electric pallet truck.

You’ll be taught to ensure that all stacked items are secure and you have a clear path ahead of you.

You will also get training for the rare occasions where you could get involved in an unfortunate accident.

Types of courses:

Many types of courses are offered at different levels.

You could be a newbie who is looking to operate the battery-powered pallet truck for the very first time.

You could also be someone who has operated a forklift truck before, but you could have limited experience.

Such courses will help you learn to the best of your abilities.

These courses are even aligned for professionals that are experienced and have worked in the logistics sector for many years.

Having an electric pallet truck on the list of machines you can operate is a good sign.

Even if you are experienced, you can get some updated training.

If you are trying to make your warehouse life easier, that’s not possible without training in operating a battery-powered pallet truck.

How to maintain an electric pallet truck?

Regular maintenance is a must for all battery-powered pallet trucks.

This video will help you figure out the equipment maintenance:

Below is a list of some of the most essential features to consider and check to keep your equipment in the best possible working condition:

• Get maintenance-free batteries. That’s because they are sealed, and the water does not have to be added to the terminals or checked.
• Batteries require frequent charging, so for long battery life, you must ensure that every time you charge it fully restores the battery life.
• Always check the tires frequently, and if there are any chips, damages, variances, or cracking on the surfaces, quickly get them replaced/repaired.
• Make sure you are using the electric pallet truck on a smooth surface because if you maneuver it on uneven surfaces, that can damage the pivots.
• Don’t forget to lubricate the joints of the steering for a more long-lasting performance.
• Don’t let your equipment get wet in the rain by leaving it outdoors.
• Even if there is some minor damage to the flooring, it will cause deterioration.
• Check your floor solace regularly to ensure your safety and for the maintenance of the equipment.

For what type of work are pallet trucks the best in warehouses?

The primary use of an electric pallet truck is to move the pallets from one place to another in a warehouse environment.

They move the pallets from the warehouse or the storage area to the waiting lorry easily.

The pallet trucks lift pallets to a specific height, and they have the ability to lift several pallets at the same time.

Pallet trucks are much more useful in the warehouse because they’re smaller than a forklift truck.

That means they have the ability to access narrow and smaller spaces.

The battery-powered pallet truck is also safe for the environment and people as it does not produce any harmful emissions.

Figure 5: Warehouse work

Which industries can benefit the most from using electric pallet trucks?

Many industries can benefit from using battery-powered pallet trucks.

These industries include the retail store, manufacturing industry, food service industry, factor floor, and chemical factories.

Figure 6: such industries benefit from electric pallet trucks. You can see many items in bulk. This machine helps to load them all in bulks and move them from one place to another.

What is the training that you need to give your drivers?

Any worker who operates a battery-powered pallet truck needs proper training to do so safely.

That training needs to be in accordance with the standards set by provision and use of work equipment regulations.

You must also follow the approved code of practice (L117). It’s for those who are involved in any sort of lift truck operation.

That includes site operators of rice on electric pallet trucks.

Employees need to have basic training on how to operate the electric pallet truck.

They must also know how to perfect various work-related tasks in the warehouse.

Why should you use a battery-powered Pallet truck?

Cost and time-saving:

Battery-powered pallet trucks offer a cost-effective solution to storage and warehousing operations.

With cheap ongoing maintenance and initial cost as compared to forklifts, this machine saves money and time over a period of time.

Less servicing means that there will be less downtime. It’s cheaper to operate them because they do not run on fuel.

• Increased Efficiency

The productivity level is increased and the operations are more efficient because the machine has the ability to transport multiple weights.

Workers are allowed to use this machine instead of handling all the materials directly themselves.

That saves them energy and reduces fatigue and that way, you workers can be more productive in other tasks.

When you use a pallet truck you can save time while unloading and loading.

It also gives the employees the ability to tackle physically challenging tasks.

• Reduced injury and risk:

With the help of battery-powered pallet trucks, you can do heavy lifting safely and easily.

That’s why it reduces the chances of getting any injury.

Thorough health and Safety briefs and training on heavy lifting can be conducted always but there will be more risks.

If you move materials regularly including heavy pallets, simply buy an electric pallet truck to do all the work for you.

The cost related to the injury of the employee is also saved.

• Ease of Use and Versatility

Because pallet trucks are smaller in size than forklifts, they can easily maneuver spring coroners and right spaces.

The battery-powered pallet trucks come in many designs, including multiple sizes and lengths.

That makes them ideal for this industry. You can also transport any kind of up.

The maximum even goes up to 1000 kilograms.

That makes them ideal and versatile for a huge range of requirements.

If you want to find out more about the advantages of using a battery-powered pallet truck, quickly take a look at the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BavhN-ARSuc