Thanks to a cocktail of sweeping global influences – the rise of automation, the growth of the ecommerce sector and progression of Industry 4.0 technologies – the material handling sector is experiencing something of a renaissance. In the UK, revenues from the manufacture of lifting and handling equipment is estimated to hit 5.5 billion USD by the end of this year. Among this crucial gear is the humble pallet truck. Whilst not viewed with quite the same level of wide-eyed excitement as robotics, for instance, they remain the backbone of many logistic practices. Indeed, the best pallet trucks have a broad number of applications.
From facilitating smoother on/off-loading of vehicles to supporting small business owners in replenishing high levels of stock, you may find the solution to your warehousing woes in this ultra-efficient piece of equipment. No matter your circumstances, we hope this guide will prove useful as we share our experience and expertise on the best pallet trucks to consider, from fully electric models to the most popular standard pallet jacks.
Here’s a brief outline of everything this article will cover – feel free to skip to wherever you need to be. By the end of this, you should be all clued up on the various types of pallet trucks, and most importantly, which is the right one for the job.
- The Importance of Getting Your Pallet Truck Right
- Types of Pallet Trucks
- The Best Pallet Trucks on the Market
- Conclusion
The Importance of Getting Your Pallet Truck Right
Let’s kick things off by talking about the importance of selecting your new pallet truck with care. While it’s tempting to pick the first one you identify as capable of bearing the specified weights of the loads that need moving, there’s a lot more to the process.
The advice from the Health and Safety Executive invokes PUWER – the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 – a piece of legislation designed to improve the safety of anyone who comes into contact with equipment and machinery in the workplace, so employers, staff and site visitors. Under this regulation, companies must ensure:
- Their equipment is suited to the intended use (for example, mini pallet trucks shouldn’t be provided for tasks that exceed their load-bearing capacity);
- It is in good working order;
- And any associated manual handling hazards have been mitigated via a workplace risk assessment.
This means that many other factors are in play. So do consider other characteristics like its size and dimensions, compatibility with different pallet types, battery life, safety and ergonomic features, not to mention the type of terrain the truck was designed for.
Types of Pallet Trucks
Feeding into the numerous factors we just mentioned is the type of pallet truck; after all, each distinct model was intentionally built with a particular application in mind. Allow us to breeze through the main categories to make narrowing down the choice much easier.
Manual
Manual or hand pallet trucks are exactly what they say on the tin: pieces of equipment operated by hand for both lifting and transporting pallets to the desired destination. Typically, these pallet trucks require more physical effort to use than other models, but their hydraulic pump action means that some machine assistance is involved in the lifting.
Electric
The next step up when it comes to automation is electric pallet trucks. Thanks to their ergonomic design and powerful lithium batteries, the burden of physical lifting, pushing and pulling is transferred from employees’ shoulders to the equipment. With a huge variety available, the best models feature variable drive speed control and intuitive LCD displays, allowing operators precise control.
Semi-Electric
Somewhere between the previous two categories is the semi-electric pallet truck. These models combine manual lifting with electric-assisted transportation, reducing some of the manual handling required of staff. When fully electric pallet trucks are off the table, they present a helpful compromise as they tend to have the capacity for moving substantially heavy loads.
Ride-On
Another type of pallet truck commonly seen in logistics environments is the ride-on pallet truck. As you might’ve already guessed, what sets this type apart from the others is that they allow staff to ride on an integrated driver’s stand or seat, minimising fatigue and strain, particularly on longer routes.
Rough Terrain
Rouch terrain pallet trucks come in handy when you’re not working on a level, indoor surface. With wider, more robust tyres, these pieces of kit are ideal for environments like nurseries, builders’ yards and construction sites. Along with the sturdy wheels, you get a strong frame and forks, making its load-bearing capacity suited to heavier tasks.
Specialised
Finally, it’s worth noting that on top of the pallet trucks we’ve mentioned thus far, there are also some specialised variants. For instance, if you were to need one for moving pallets or skids with low clearance, you would want to investigate low profile pallet trucks, whose compact dimensions can help with trickier, non-standard loads – even furniture or appliances. For still smaller loads, perhaps for use in a shop’s stockroom, mini pallet trucks are another great option. On the flip side, you can also get your hands on heavy duty pallet trucks, designed to shift more demanding loads, often up to 5000kg.
10 of The Best Pallet Trucks on the Market
1. The MID-EPT20A Fully Electric Pallet Truck
A convenient solution to tight budgets, thanks to the efficiency gains workers reap, the MID-EPT20A electric pallet truck is a game-changer for warehouses and storerooms seeking to optimise their operations. This powerful device can handle loads of up to 2000kg capacity, so most standard pallet loads, along with a slope/climbing gradeability of 6% when laden. Besides its advanced ergonomic design, simple user interface and rechargeable battery, this pallet truck has an average lifespan 3X greater than a standard pallet truck. Cost-efficient doesn’t cover it!
2. The MID-PPT20 Semi-Electric Pallet Truck
If you’re not ready to invest in a fully electric pallet truck, you’re next best option is going for the MID-PPT20 Semi-Electric model. This heavy-duty device is equipped with a potent 1kW brushless motor and a high-capacity lithium battery, extending running time whilst reducing the physical labour required of staff. Kitted out with variable drive speed control and ergonomic tiller, maintaining safety and accuracy is a simple task.
If you need a little extra heft for bulky loads, you might want to investigate the wide version of this model – featuring a broader overall fork size of 685mm×1220mm. Either way, the MID-PPT20 remains a robust choice for both strength and operability.
3. The HPT20S-WH25ES Premium Weighing Scale Hand Pallet Truck
The most popular of our weighing scale models is the HPT20S-WHS25 Premium 2500kg Weigh Scale Truck. Not only has it got ample weight-bearing capacity, but its additional features make it a stand-out option for distribution hubs and warehouses alike. With a 160mm X 50mm fork, it’s compatible with the most used pallet sizes, and – the best part – you can weigh these pallets using the integrated scales with a 99.9% accuracy. It’s also worth noting that the display can be read from any angle and doesn’t need a backlight. If you’re interested in this model, make sure to stock up on AA batteries as it will require four to run, accounting for around 70 hours of operation.
4. The PT-LOW-01 Super Low Profile Hand Pallet Truck
Ideal for working with low clearance and disposable pallets, which we’re seeing much more often in containers loaded up by conventional forklifts, is the PT-LOW-0 Hand Pallet Truck. Boasting a premium hydraulic pump with slow lowering hand control and great grip, precision and safety need never be a worry. With a 1000kg capacity, you can rest assured that it will handle plenty of loads without strain.
5. The PT-RT-01 Rough Terrain Pallet Truck
When rough surfaces or uneven terrain are threatening the efficiency of your manual handling tasks, the best pallet truck for the job is the PT-RT20S-WH25ES model. Excelling where regular pallet trucks would fall short, this sturdy contraption can carry up to 1200kg with its manually operating hydraulic pump and handle. The pneumatic tyres and heavy-duty steel frame make it uniquely suited to external applications, whether shifting building materials on a construction site or heavy pallets of gravel at a garden centre. Whatever the case, with this pallet truck you get a wonderful blend of manoeuvrability and control.
6. The Triton 25A 2500kg Pallet Truck
If you’re after a manual variety, the Triton 25A is one of the best hand pallet trucks out there. Featuring conveniently sized fork dimensions (540x1150mm), which cater to the most common types of pallets from Euro and CHEP/GKN pallets, this model brings a great deal of versatility. With plenty of handy extra features such as its pallet load entry rollers and additional foot pedal release, manual handling is much smoother with the Triton 25A in tow. What’s more, it’s currently subject to a 2-year extended warranty, plus a 10+ warranty for the forks.
7. The PT-RCPT-01 Reel Carrying Pallet Truck
The PT-RCPT-01 Pallet Truck is your best choice for carrying cylindrical objects that simply won’t work with your standard pallet truck. Thanks to the specialist forks, this reel truck can cater to the diverse needs of niche industries such as printing, packaging and textiles. With exceptional efficiency and the ability to lift weights of up to 2000kg, moving industrial roles and bales from A-B shouldn’t be a hassle. Psst: if you need a slighter wider fork, check out its sister model, the PT-RCPT-02.
8. The CN3500-BF3500A Heavy Duty Pallet Truck
Sometimes standard simply won’t cut it. When you’ve got ultra-heavy loads to shift throughout your site or offload from a vehicle, a heavy-duty model can be a lifesaver, particularly when dealing with inconsistent pallets. With an eyewatering capacity of 3500kg, top tier hydraulic pump and ergonomic controls, the CN3500-BF3500A is one of the best pallet trucks for more demanding working operations. It measures 540x1150mm across the forks, meaning that it is compatible with both 80x120cm Euro Pallets and the larger blue GKN/Chep style pallets.
9. The ACX10M Manual Scissor Lift Pallet Truck
When you’re in need of a leg up, why not rely on the ACX10M Manual Scissor Lift Pallet Truck? Designed to take the strain out of lifting weighty objects, the cylinder pump action can reach a maximum height of 800mm, minimising the risk of back injuries among other risks. While this model is only designed with open bottom pallets and skids in mind, it’s a worthwhile addition to any warehouse or warehouse-adjacent facility.
10. The MID-PPT18B Wide Design Semi-Electric Pallet Truck
Fatigue or strain injuries are the least of your worries when you have the MID-PPT18B Semi-Electric Pallet Truck by your side. Combining the most efficient technology – a reliable 0.75kw brushless driving motor and strong lithium battery – and the power of ergonomics, this model is exceptionally safe as well as high-performing. Like our other semi-electric trucks, it has an in-built emergency stop, forward/reverse butterfly switch, and horn, as well as an LED display to keep you mindful of battery levels – all integrated into a surprisingly compact design.
To Wrap Up
Here concludes this whistle-stop tour of the best pallet trucks to kit out your facility with, whether that’s a modest stock room or a vast distribution centre with many moving parts. Whatever the case, you’ll find that ensuring your workers have the most efficient equipment will have a tangential effect on productivity and team morale. From specialised models designed for tight spaces to heavy-duty electric trucks with intensive load-bearing capabilities, there is truly something for every handling need. Now, it’s up to you to pick which one fits the bill.
If there’s anything we missed and you still have a burning question, our friendly team is happy to help. For further information, send your query to us via email or give us a call on 01384-841430