Pallet Lift Equipment Consists of Pallet Jacks, Manual and Powered Pallet Stackers, and Forklifts. Since pallets are very heavy, moving them about will place a severe strain on anyone handling them without the proper equipment.
There is a valid reason to be concerned with injury when moving a pallet because of the heavy weights involved. Some pallets can be between fifty and eighty pounds even when they are empty, and can be thousands of pounds with a full load. Needless to say it is impossible to move by hand.
Thus, those who have to move the pallets need to look at various options with regard to proper lift equipment. In this they will need to choose between a few standard pieces of equipment.
A smaller size and more maneuverable pallet jack is the first option. It is the simplest type of pallet lift equipment that you will come across. The pallet jack can come in a manual or power version. These pallet lift equipment units are generally small and they allow users to maneuver some narrow spaces where movement is limited. Another consideration for your application will be the lift height required. If you are storing an item far off of the ground, on pallet racking or shelving, then a pallet jack will not work, but it will help you to move your load along smooth flat surfaces.
The second option in pallet lift equipment is the pallet stacker. There are several variations when it comes to stackers. Manual, powered or self propelled, winch, and counter-balanced. Stackers can lift your load to greater heights as compared to pallet jacks. Some of the electric models are generally powered by batteries and some models even have built-in chargers to ensure that the stacker works optimally at all times.
The last or third option for pallet lift equipment is the forklift and it’s capabilities to lift greater weights and heights than possible with the pallet stacker or pallet jack. Forklifts have the ability to reach high places. Pallet jacks and pallet stackers require less space to maneuver than a forklift. However forklifts will require training and certification for your staff to operate the equipment.
Whichever type of pallet lift equipment that you use, you need to first address safety issues, the load size and weight, and the space you have to maneuver in. Pallet stackers in particular require having weight capacity plates on them which in turn must always be visible to whoever is operating these pallet lift equipment.
When buying any piece of equipment, especially a pallet lift, you need to ensure that the features fit in with your industrial requirements, space, and storage method. Having the right tool for the job is important and having the right pallet moving machine can literally mean the difference between life and death for the worker that has to use it.
Written by:
Ted Thorsen Material Handling
Since 1953, we have proudly offered competitively priced, cost-effective materials handling solutions, as well as custom designs Leading source for Material Handling and Reusable Packaging
Industrial Jacks & Lifting Equipment
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