What is a Pallet Truck?
There are many different types of pallet trucks, also known as pump trucks or pump jack’s. These are designed to improve handling and lifting. A hand pallet truck is built to load and lift heavy pallets from one location to another with little effort. These trucks improve both safety and ergonomics in warehouses, stockrooms and distribution centres. Typically, stock pallets are moved into racking systems where they can be organised and stored for a length of time – using a pallet truck makes transporting effortless.
Do you need a licence for a pallet truck?
No, you do not need a licence to operate a pallet truck. Although specialist training isn’t required, it’s advised that staff feel confident and safe using the equipment for daily operations. If you are a business, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure employees are trained and understand the guidelines. These can include not exceeding the maximum load capacity and avoiding ramps.
How much is a pallet truck in the UK?
Pallet trucks can range in prices depending on brand, load capacity and specifications you require. We are very competitively priced, providing affordable pallet trucks in the UK. Our range starts from only £199.99 with a 2500kg load capacity and is built to last across the years. This type of handling and lifting equipment has an amazing return on investment, as a must-have piece of equipment that will be used day in and day out.
What types of pallet truck is there?
Manual Trucks:
These lift and lower by using manual power by pumping the handle to lift the load to the desired height. These are the most affordable options and ideal for everyday use in fast-paced environments. Explore the entire hand pallet truck range at Direct2U.
Electric Trucks:
These trucks take the strain from operating, lifting and lowering pallets without manual work. This preserves operator fatigue and improves efficiency. Our TUFF Electric Pallet Truck is high-lifting and available in two sizes.
High-Lift Trucks:
Also known as High-lift jacks, provide an extra lift to reach racking systems and points of storage. These are ideal for warehouse and industrial environments, combining reach and strength with a heavy-duty load capacity of 1500kg+ across the range.
Specialist Trucks:
We offer a number of specialist trucks, including trucks with scales, extra-long, low profile. In addition, we offer trucks in different finishes other than powder-coated, these include galvanised and stainless steel for the food and beverage industry.
What are the benefits of owning a pallet truck?
A key benefit to owning a pallet truck is the convenience and ergonomic benefits, preventing strain and potential injury in the workplace. A typical pallet truck has a load capacity of 2500kg, making it suitable to move heavy loads without an issue. Furthermore, there are heavier options available, preventing the risk of injury and speeding up processes. Moving on, a pallet truck is a very affordable handling option to suit every budget. It can be used in multiple applications with easy operation and shock-design features for busy spaces.
What wheel types is there?
Typically, pallet trucks are manufactured with 3 main wheel types. These include Nylon, Polyurethane and Polypropylene. Let’s run through the main benefits of each wheel tyre.
A popular choice of truck wheels are nylon, these are built to withstand everyday wear and tear from heavy-duty use. Making it suitable for many busy work environments and enhanced for durability. In addition, the wheels are non-marking for use across multiple floor surfaces. Our cheapest nylon option is the TUFF Hand Pallet Truck 2500kg.
Furthermore, the PU Polyurethane wheel option is great option for smooth transportation for uneven surfaces without marking floors. In addition, these wheels tend to be quieter in use, suitable for retail, warehouses, stockrooms and much more. A key disadvantage is that they are considered slightly less durable than the nylon option. If PU Wheels are the right fit for you, check out our TUFF Hand Pallet Truck 2500kg.
Lastly, the Polypropylene option is a less popular option and typically used for light-duty environments such as retail, warehouses and stockrooms. These wheels are non-marking allows easy transport without worrying about marks, to keep your floors in the best condition when loading and unloading stock pallets.
Things to consider before purchasing
Some key things to consider before buying your next pallet truck include budget, depending on the brand, model and specifications you require. In addition, where you are likely to be storing your pallet can make a difference to which truck you require, as you might need a high lift to reach higher racking systems.
Consider any additional features you may require, for instance, a specific wheel type, weighing scale option, extra long and much more. Choosing the right pallet truck and additional features can help streamline your processes and improve efficiency. Furthermore, decide what pallets you deal with most e.g euro and uk pallets, open bottom and closed bottom pallets. If you’re unsure what you require, contact our team to discuss.
How do I use a pallet truck?
Operating each pallet truck may vary from truck to truck. But, it’s important to check your manufacturing guide before operating. When not in use, store your pallet truck safely to avoid damage from moving vehicles such as forklifts.
The hand pallet is easy to use, by aligning the forks in the pallet truck openings using the handle. Then you can use the handle to pump it up and raise the forks from ground level. Use the control lever in a neutral position and push or pull the truck towards your route. Once in your desired location such as a racking system, pull the lever to lower the forks to ground level. When finished, simply put the lever to the neutral position and pull the truck out of the pallet to use again.
Whats the difference between hand pallet and electric trucks?
When finding your next pallet truck, it can be confusing to see which truck is most suited to your requirements. Let’s run through the differences between manual and electric pallet trucks.
A hand pallet truck lifts with the pumping of a handle to raise and lower the forks. These are lower in cost, easy to use and has low maintenance. In comparison, our electric trucks feature lithium-ion motors that lift and lower the forks without any manual effort. A drawback is that electric trucks are more costly due to the additional features to improve speed and efficiency within the workplace.
Leading UK Suppliers
At Direct2U, we specialise in handling and lifting equipment with a wide range of load capacities and options available to suit every workplace. Our lifting equipment stands the test of time, handling everyday use in busy and demanding environments. We strive to get you the very best deal, offering bulk buy discounts and price match promise for the same product.
We have a dedicated team to answer all your queries and provide aftercare support for long-term maintenance of your truck. Across our range we offer free uk mainland delivery on all orders over £100.00, with delivery times ranging from next day to 5 day delivery.
Contact our specialist team
Unsure what you require? Speak to our specialist team to discuss your requirements, bespoke options and installation. Our expert team work hard to get you the very best shelter for your budget, including price matching and bulk-buy discounts. Speak to our team via call, chat or email us!