A Pallet jack forklift is the most basic type of forklift, and companies use them to transport pallets around a trailer or warehouse. A pallet jack is among the most crucial warehouse tools, as workers use them to carry small loads over short distances with ease.

Workers often use a manual pallet jack for unloading and loading. An electric pallet jack is often good for horizontal transit around warehouses.

In this quick guide, we will look at both manual and motorized pallet jacks. This way, you can figure out which might suit your needs the best.

Manual Pallet Jacks

A manual pallet jack is hand-operated and companies tend to use one in retail and warehouse environments. You can use one to lower, lift, and maneuver pallets from one location to another.

A manual pallet jack is less expensive but sometimes a little more strenuous to use than an electric pallet jack. However, they require less maintenance. They are suitable for small to medium-sized warehouses and construction sites.

Operating a Manual Pallet Jack

There are four key stages to operating a manual pallet jack. We won’t go into the operations in detail. However, here’s a general idea of the order of things:

• Locate the release lever
• Move towards the pallet and press down on the lever
• Nudge forward to slide the prongs beneath the pallet and load
• Lift the pallet upward

After doing this order of things, you can then shift your load to its new location.

Motorized Pallet Jacks

A motorized pallet jack is often referred to as an electric pallet jack. You use them to lift and move high stacked and heavy pallets. You use a throttle on its handle to drive the motorized pallet jack forward or backward, and you direct the handle by swinging it in the desired direction.

An electric pallet jack can be super-easy and smooth to use due to its motor carrying out the jacking motion. Also, many of these forklifts have a “ride-on” type feature to make moving around the warehouse a breeze.

Operating An Electric Pallet Jack 

Here’s a quick summary of how to operate an electric pallet jack:

• Unplug and store your cord somewhere safe
• Find the controls and lower the jack’s prongs
• Move your pallet jack beneath the pallet you wish to move
• Use the controls to allow the prongs to lift the pallet off the floor

Then all that’s left to do is move your load wherever it needs to go. Also, don’t forget to use the “ride-on” feature if the jack has one.

What About Pallet Jack Parts?

If you do find yourself needing new pallet jack parts, you need to find a reliable supplier. Pallet jacks aren’t the most complex of machines; however, exact match parts are crucial for one to work well.

We recommend Clark forklift parts as a great place to start. Where it may be challenging to find specific parts sometimes, this company may be able to help.

Pallet Jack Forklift Advice

So we’ve now run through some pallet jack forklift info and advice. By learning about these two different machines and how to operate them, you might better understand which one will suit your needs best.

Thanks for checking out this quick guide. Please consider checking out our main blog page for more tips if you get a chance.