Manual Pallet Jack

Manual pallet jacks are used in warehouses, trucking operations and retail environments to transport pallets of merchandise. They put a physical strain on workers and are more difficult to maneuver than electric models.

To operate a pallet jack, the operator must pump the handle to raise the forks above the floor. A small amount of maintenance keeps these workhorses running smoothly and reliably.

Hydraulic Pump

A hydraulic pump is located at the base of the handle, and it provides the pumping action that raises and lowers the forks. Two large steer wheels are located below the hydraulic pump and control lever, and they maneuver the pallet jack where it needs to go. Steer wheels are typically made of polyurethane tread with a nylon hub or solid nylon.

The control lever moves the cylinder pistons inside the forks to move them up or down. The forks are held in place by the load wheels, which are underneath the forks to support the forks and help them slide into position on a pallet. The load wheels are usually molded rubber or polyurethane and can be made of standard, low-profile, or specialty designs.

Some manual pallet jacks have special sound-deadening materials and quieter load wheels to reduce the noise they make while working. These models are used in environments where noise is a concern, such as hospitals and medical facilities.

Before using a manual pallet jack, inspect it for proper operation and safety. Look for any oil spots on the floor and check the controls, steering, and load wheels to hand chain hoist ensure that they are in good condition. Always operate the pallet jack at slow speeds and keep the center of gravity over its front wheels to avoid tipping. Know its load capacity rating and never exceed it.

Steer Wheels

Wheels are one of the most important components on a manual pallet jack and can dramatically affect how well a jack performs. They are used to both change directions and support the weight of the load. Most manual pallet jacks use two steer wheels in the front and two load wheels in the rear.

Steer wheels are often made from polyurethane and are non-marking, meaning they won’t leave marks on floors. These wheels are ideal for customer-facing environments such as retail warehouses. They are also quieter than nylon wheels, which can be a benefit if you operate in an environment where noise would disturb customers and employees.

Nylon wheels are not as durable as polyurethane and can be damaged by rough surfaces, debris and moisture. They are less corrosion resistant, and they will degrade faster than polyurethane wheels.

Whichever type of wheel you choose, it’s important to routinely inspect and replace them when needed. You can do this by measuring the diameter of a wheel using a digital caliper. It is recommended to replace both steer and load wheels when they reach a diameter that is 1/4 inch smaller than the original. Replacing them at this point will help reduce resistance and maintain optimum performance. It will also prevent the pallet jack from becoming unstable when loading and unloading.

Forks

The forks on a manual pallet jack are designed to fit inside a pallet and lift it a few inches off the ground. Located beneath the forks are load wheels, which help the forks slide onto and off of pallets. Several types of forks are available, including standard 48-inch forks and low-profile pallet jacks with forks that are only 2 inches off the ground.

Using the control lever, you can move the forks into different positions to steer the jack and place it where you want to move it. If the control lever is pushed into the drive position, the forks will lower proportionally as you squeeze in the handle. To move the jack forward, twist the handle to the left or right.

If you have trouble raising the forks on your manual pallet jack, it could be a sign that there’s not enough hydraulic oil in the hydraulic system. Typically, this is caused by a leak in the hydraulic system or gradual seepage over time. Refer to your owner’s manual to learn how much hydraulic oil you should have in your jack and how to replenish it. Also, check the steering wheels to ensure they’re in good condition. Wheels made of the wrong material can cause lasting damage to warehouse floors and other equipment. Choose wheels made of polyurethane or ultra-poly tread with nylon hubs to minimize wear.

Control Lever

Pallet jacks are an everyday part of warehouse operations, but they can be difficult to use for those unfamiliar with them. A basic manual pallet jack has three operating modes: raise, neutral, and lower. A handle on the jack can be moved to shift the hydraulic pump piston into the lift position, which raises the forks to transport heavy loads.

To move a load, the operator pumps the Rigging Suppliers handle down to engage a valve in the hydraulic pump that is attached to a handle return spring that surrounds the pump piston. Pumping the handle down causes the piston in the hydraulic pump to rise, which then raises the linkages that are attached beneath the forks and to the steer wheels. The forks can then be guided underneath or through openings in the pallet to move the load.

After guiding the forks into place on a loaded pallet, the handle can be pumped up to return the hydraulic piston to the neutral position, which allows the wheels to spin freely without lifting the forks. Then the pallet jack can be driven to a designated storage area where it can be unplugged and plugged back in for charging. Using a hand pallet jack correctly can help reduce worker fatigue and injury. To help ensure proper operation, review your jack’s maintenance and operator documents for details about how to use it in your warehouse environment.