Hand Pallet Truck: Comprehensive FAQ Guide

Having a hand pallet truck will help ensure efficiency in your operational process. You may have a couple of questions regarding how to operate or manage a hand pallet truck. This post provides you with answers to all the questions you might have regarding this piece of equipment.

What is a hand pallet truck?

A hand pallet truck is also called a pallet jack, is a highly designed trolley for the easy movement of objects from one place to another.

The hand pallet truck is made up of a strong pair of wheels located at the bottom to reduce muscle power and body energy.

A hand pallet truck provides you with one of the highest comforts in improvising the warehouse equipment category.

It remains the first choice of equipment for your warehouse, storage units, etc.

You don’t need any electrical power to operate this piece of equipment.

It is the basic form of a forklift, and it helps you to move pallets within a warehouse.

How does a hand pallet truck work?

Before you buy a hand pallet truck, you must understand the working principle of it.

You will have to steer the jack by a “tiller” in the form of a lever, which also serves as the pump handle for raising the jack.

Once you raise the hydraulic jack at the “tiller,” the links will force the wheels down.

You continue the above action; the forks are raised vertically upwards above the front wheels, thus increasing the load upward.

You will keep raising the load until it has cleared the floor.

How do you use a hand pallet truck?

Basically, all hand pallet trucks have quite a simple raise/neutral/lower operating method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOQ7hbm3lHQ

For you to raise the forks, you need to push the actuating lever downward, then pump the lever up and down until the pallet has reached the desired height.

With a clearance of one inch between the floor and the pallet, it is sufficient to move the load.

However, you must keep your feet clear of the wheels when loading a hand pallet truck.

Ensure that you read the manufacturer’s load rated capacity, and you must not exceed it.

You have balanced the load on the hand pallet truck so that it will not slip or fall; you can also use straps to secure the load.

Do hand pallet trucks need Loler?

Hand pallet trucks are built to lift a pallet just to clear off the ground to enable you to move it from one position to another.

The HSE is of the opinion that the chances of the load falling off are very low; therefore, Loler does not apply here.

Meanwhile, you need o to ensure that you follow all other required guidelines for operating a hand pallet truck.

What are the safety precautions for using a hand pallet truck?

For your safety and the people’s safety within your environment, avoid moving loads up and down the ramps. https://www.bullmax.com.my/how-to-operate-a-hand-pallet-truck-safely/

It would be best if you did not carry riders on the truck and always ensure that the forks are centered evenly under the load.

When you center the forks evenly, it gives you an excellent balance to move the load from one point to another.

One of the essential safety measures is not overloading the truck, no matter how in a hurry you may be.

When lifting a load, you need to use both forks; you should pull rather than push loads for easy maneuverability.

Do you need special training to operate a hand pallet truck?

Operators of hand pallet trucks are responsible for any accidents in the workplace.

Therefore, the importance of training cannot be overemphasized, and neither should you underestimate it.

Operating a hand pallet truck without the necessary training will most likely result in injury or materials destruction.

Therefore, as a warehouse owner, you need to ensure that your employees get all the requisite training needed to operate a hand truck.

As an operator, you need to be very careful with how you utilize this piece of equipment to not cause harm to yourself and others.

What can cause your hand pallet truck to stop lifting to its maximum height?

The most likely cause of this issue is the lack of hydraulic oil.

You should try adding an appropriately filtered oil to see if that fixes the problem.

However, if after you have added additional oil, the problem still persists, it is probably time you seek pallet truck repair services.

If you discover that the problem is not what you can handle; it is always advisable to seek professional and experienced assistance.

Why won’t the forks of your hand pallet return to their lowest position?

There are two likely reasons why you experience such a problem with your warehouse equipment.

One of the two reasons is that there could be too much hydraulic oil in your piece of equipment.

You should try letting some of the hydraulic oil out and seeing if the forks can return to their original position.

If the first solution doesn’t work, you could have a broken or deformed moving component inside the pallet truck’s motion track.

What is preventing the forks from dropping after you have lifted them?

One such cause could be an abnormal control valve, which might not be able to control the forks.

You may consider readjusting the loading device as a potential solution to this kind of problem.

Another potential cause of this problem could be as a result of broken parts that need to be replaced.

How do you operate a hand pallet truck?

It would be best if you tipped the load slightly forward to enable the hand truck’s tongue to go under the load.

Ensure that the hand pallet truck’s tongue is pushed under the load that you want to move.

It would be best if you kept the center of gravity of the load as low as possible, and you can achieve this by placing heavier objects below the lighter ones.

Make sure you push the loads so that the axle’s weight will be carried by not the handles of the pallet truck.

If you notice that your view is blocked, you can ask a spotter to assist you in guiding the road.

It would be best if you did not walk backward with the hand pallet truck unless you are going up the stairs or ramps.

When you are going down an incline, ensure you keep the hand truck in front of you to improve maneuverability.

How do you repair your hand pallet track?

The first thing to check is to identify what is it that is damaged in your hand pallet truck. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCs553mR65w

Once that is done, you can then find out if it is a simple fault that you can fix almost immediately.

If it is what you can fix, then it is a great thing.

On the other hand, if it is not what you can handle, always seek experts’ services to help you get your equipment back into good shape.

Trying to fix your hand pallet truck by yourself will likely be counterproductive because you may end up damaging more of the equipment.

What is the best way to maintain a pallet truck?

Ensure you always check and top the oil of your hand pallet truck.

Remember to lubricate the hand pallet truck regularly and do it at least for a month.

Protect the pallet truck’s wheels by making sure that the surface is clear of material that might cause wear or tear to the wheels.

Ensure you check the chains regularly to make sure that they are incorrect positions.

If the hand pallet truck can no longer pump or lower its forks, you can adjust the lowering valve.

Always use your hand pallet truck correctly and safely.

What is the way to top up the oil of your hand pallet truck?

It is advisable that you use hydraulic oil for pallet trucks, and the oil should have a viscosity of 30cSt at 40 0C. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n99swpneWY8

To top the oil of your hand pallet truck, you should place the forks in the lowest position and remember to turn the pallet truck on its inside.

Place the drain plug of the hydraulic cylinder at the top and remember to remove the screw plug.

You should add the hydraulic oil until it reaches the bottom of the filler opening.

Once you have done all these, install the screw and place the device upright.

What are the features you need to consider before buying a hand pallet truck?

The hand pallet truck’s weight is very crucial, and you need to check them before buying this piece of equipment.

Generally, the wheels of hand pallet trucks are made from polyurethane so that they are easy for you to change as they wear out.

Another important thing you need to verify before buying a hand pallet truck is the warranty the company offers.

The hand pallet truck’s fork lowered height is also an important point you should consider before making your purchase.

What hand pallet truck is the best?

There are several ways to declare the best hand pallet truck, but they all depend on the one that fits your needs.

However, the general consideration when looking for a quality pallet truck includes:

• A heavy pallet truck
• The low lowered height pallet truck
• A pallet truck with good capacity
• One that has grease-able (brass) bushings
• Pallet truck with a long warranty.

How can hand pallet trucks benefit your business?

There are many benefits you stand to gain from using hand pallet trucks, and they include the following:

• Using hand pallet trucks for loading and unloading materials, you will enjoy low maintenance costs and reduced downtime.
• The level of energy required to load and unload large materials is cut to the barest minimum, leading to increased efficiency.
• It will also help to reduce injuries in the workplace since certain tasks will be safer and easier to handle with hand pallet trucks.
• The hand pallet truck is easier to use compared to electric pallet trucks and semi-electric pallet trucks.

What is the weight of a standard hand pallet truck?

There are varieties of factors to consider when answering this question.

You will need to consider the type of hand pallet truck, the brand, the model of the pallet, and the manufacturer of the pallet truck.

The average weight of a hand pallet truck is about 72kg.

The weight of your hand pallet truck will certainly affect other factors like the maneuverability and load limit.

Therefore, you must pay attention to the weight of the pallet truck before making your purchase.

Do hand pallet trucks have brakes?

To answer directly, yes, a hand pallet truck has brakes that help to slow it down in case of an emergency.

This is to comply with the health and safety regulations out in place by the government.

However, it is only designed to slow the progress of travel.

Before you can stop a moving pallet in an emergency, the pallet needs to first be lowered to the ground.

When working in a factory or warehouse, workers’ safety is paramount, and it reiterates the importance of having brakes on pallets.

How do you choose a hand pallet truck?

Any piece’s value should always come before cost, so you need to choose a hand pallet truck that will deliver long working life.

Go for the hand pallet truck that suits your application since there are different hand pallet truck models for many applications.

It would be best to consider the ease of use before settling for a hand pallet truck’s particular model.

The hand pallet truck’s durability will play a vital role in ensuring the truck is reliable in operation.

Wheel type is often an important feature that most people often overlook; different wheel types are available with various benefits.

Is it safe to push or pull a hand pallet truck?

Pushing a hand pallet truck generally takes less effort than pulling because your body weight also assists the exertion.

You should avoid pulling a hand pallet truck because it often causes carts to run into the shines or ankles.

For increased maneuverability, you should push rather than pull a hand pallet truck.

Maneuvering loads from a neutral position helps operators to reduce fatigue.

People who use both hands to pull a hand pallet truck behind them often ignore body mechanics.

You will expend less energy to push than pull a hand pallet truck.

When a hand pallet truck is not being used, how should you store it?

When you park your hand pallet truck, the forks should be in their lowest position.

You also need to ensure that the handle is in the upright position for improved visibility.

When you park this piece of equipment, it should not be in the way or block access to emergency equipment like a fire extinguisher.

It is also important that you park it in a place where it will not obstruct or disturb other workers from doing their job.

How do you lift a load with a hand pallet truck?

Hand pallet truck has a simple raise operating method that is very easy to operate.

For you to raise the forks, push the actuating lever down and pump the handle down until the pallet reaches its desired height.

Having a clearance of one inch between the floor and the pallet is enough to move the load. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj5umteDrQo

Before you move the load, ensure that you engage the actuating lever in a neutral or middle position.

At this position, the lifting mechanism is disengaged, making the handle free from hydraulic resistance.

After loading the material on the hand pallet truck, move the truck at a walking pace.

What if the load is too heavy to lift with a hand pallet truck?

First, you need to make sure the load is within the hand pallet truck’s limit and not beyond its capacity.

Generally, the lifting limit of a hand pallet truck is between 700kg and 1500lbs.

Don’t force a hand pallet truck to lift a load above its capacity because it will do more harm than good.

If the load is heavy but within the pallet truck’s limit, stand with a wide stance, knees bent with one of your legs slightly behind the other.

You should rest the pallet against your forward thigh and simply roll it up on your thigh and then stack it.

One major problem, however, is that you could get slivers from the pallet in your leg.

How should you move the hand pallet truck?

When moving a load with the hand pallet truck, it requires a safe handling skill.

• You should avoid moving the loads up or down ramps.
• Do not carry riders on the hand pallet truck.
• You should avoid overloading the truck and ensure you use both forks when lifting a load.
• When you maneuver loads using the neutral position, you reduce operator fatigue.

As an operator, always ensure that you operate at a controllable speed to avoid an accident in the workplace.

Do you need a license to operate a hand pallet truck?

Generally, an operator needs to have pallet truck training before operating a hand pallet truck.

Without training, it is hazardous to handle a pallet truck in an environment filled with other workers and materials.

Therefore, you must have the requisite training required to handle a hand pallet truck.

If you are a business owner, it is your duty to ensure that your pallet operators are trained to do a great job.

How do you maneuver a hand pallet truck?

You have to stand behind the hand pallet jack while having your hands on the metal steering handle.

The next is for you to push the pallet truck over the pallet that you wish to move and then press the release lever up and inward to lower the prongs to about an inch above the ground.

Once you have completely lowered the prongs, you can then slide them under the pallet you would like to move.

Now you can jack up the pallet by pulling the metal handle, and you should repeat the process several times to ensure the prongs are far enough off the floor.

What are the best dimensions for a hand pallet truck?

When you buy a hand pallet truck for the first time or replace a damaged fleet, you need to know the best size of pallet truck that suits your operations.

The pallet dimension will be determined by the size of the pallet most commonly handled in the workplace.

You will have to note the pallets’ size before deciding on the dimension of the hand pallet trucks to buy.

Is the pump unit of the hand pallet truck reliable?

The quality of a pallet truck’s pump unit is crucial for the pallet truck to operate optimally.

When buying a hand pallet truck, you need to ensure that the pump unit is completely sealed against air moisture and dirt.

You can ask your manufacturer or supplier about the reliability of their pump unit, and they should be able to assure you that it is reliable.

The supplier should be able to give you a warranty on the piece of equipment before you buy.

How can you prolong the lifespan of your hand pallet truck?

It would be best if you always protected the wheels of your hand pallet truck by ensuring that the workplace is clean.

Ensure you always check the chain regulator to make sure that it is correctly poisoned.

If the pallet truck no longer pumps or lowers its forks, you should adjust the lowering valve.

Always use your hand pallet truck in the right way to ensure the lifespan is prolonged.

Endeavor always to check and top up the oil of your hand pallet truck.