What Are The Advantages Of Power Pallet Trucks?
Pallet trucks can be found in warehouses across the globe, allowing pallets to be stacked in a way that best utilizes warehouse space. Without the use of pallet jacks (or pallet trucks as they are also known) warehouses would descend into chaos. Pallet trucks can be roughly divided into two types, those which use muscle power to load and those which use electrical power to engage pneumatic systems for multiple or heavy loads. The power pallet trucks are usually rechargeable and are recharged during their downtime. There are low profile pallet trucks which are specifically designed for use with modern low profile pallets, which in turn optimize the usage of warehouse space. The low profile power pallet trucks can typically handle loads in the region of 4000 lbs, however there are hydraulic units which can handle extremely heavy loads.
The power pallet trucks are becoming more and more popular as logistics operations grow in size and scale. This is evident in the rise in the number of electric pallet jacks for sale available today. Whereas decades ago the family operation dominated the warehouse landscape the rise of national and international chain stores has seen the centralizing of the warehouse function and the rise of enormous warehousing operations, often run by the chains themselves. Once the logistics and warehousing function reaches a certain size then the hand operated pallet loader is relegated to the more peripheral functions and the powered pallet trucks are called into service to do most of the heavy lifting. The low profile pallet jacks are used in operations which use low profile pallets which have a ground clearance of around one and a half inches, as opposed to the traditional three inches.
The low profile pallet jacks can be of two distinct types, the powered pallet trucks or the manual or ‘hand’ pallet loaders. Yale manual pallet jacks are renowned for their great durability. In the former the operation of the pallet loader is powered by an on board, rechargeable battery which supplies power to the hydraulic lifting apparatus. This unit is thus able to life far larger pallets and has found favor in the larger warehousing operations. The hand powered units have a far smaller lifting capacity, but are smaller and relatively nimble and can thus are suitable for smaller warehouses or in situations where only a single pallet needs to be lifted at a time.
The mobile power pallet trucks can be sourced from a variety of manufacturers, from those in the Far East to domestic (American) manufacturers. Names such as Ravas, Hyster, CAT, Hyundai and Crown have traditionally dominated the industry. However, the increasing popularity of pallet jack loaders has meant that many new entrants are putting up a fight against the traditional heavyweights and bargains can be had.
Whatever your choice of pallet jack, be it for power pallet trucks or the more agile and slim line low profile units always make sure that you carefully read the guarantee that you will be given prior to purchasing the unit. The more extensive the guarantee the higher the probability that you will be buying a quality product. Also make sure that parts and service will be available for the unit that you purchase.
