A Pallet Truck by Any Other Name

In our ever-changing society, it shouldn’t be surprising to hear that the tools and equipment of the material handling industry have acquired a variety of names and labels, often changing from one country to the next. Without this tendency, the world would be bereft the awkward cross-cultural mix ups that we all secretly enjoy (for example, think of the surprise and confusion that would result if an American mechanic asks for a spanner and a muffler in the U.K. and a nerdy-looking chap holding a scarf shows instead?).

To illustrate this point, let’s consider the simple pallet truck. Throughout the English-speaking world, it’s not uncommon to find such a basic piece of material handling equipment referred to by any number of unique names. These range from simple variations of ‘pallet truck’ such as pallet jack / lift / elevator / and pump, to widely adopted pseudonyms like jigger and lifter, as well as an almost infinite number of combinations (including pump truck or jack, hand or wheeled floor jack, fork pump, and manual forklift). While this is not an exhaustive list, by any means, it does illustrate how our cultural preferences and industry-based needs tend to help us interact with and define the world around us.

But in the end, the truth is that the equipment doesn’t care what you call it. Whether you refer to it as a jigger, pallet truck, hand jack, or even “that red metal thingy with the forks,” the basic purpose of the pallet truck remains the same: to lift and transport pallets and freight from one place to another. What you should not do, however, is think that all pallet trucks / jacks are created equal.

Over the years, pallet trucks have been modified and adapted for use in a wide variety of applications and operating conditions. In terms of size and load capacity, pallet trucks typically have a maximum rating between 1000 and 5500 lbs, with forks that are 7” or 9” in width, either 36”, 42” or 48” in length, and are placed 21” or 27” apart. The reasoning behind these different capacities, fork sizes and width are to accommodate variations in pallet sizes and a range of load weights.

To limit the hazards associated with different surfaces, a number of different wheel types have been introduced. For uneven surfaces, dual – also known as tandem – front wheel models were introduced to assist in going over dock plates and rougher floors. On the other hand, a four-way pallet truck offers a greater degree of maneuverability and enables the operator to pick up a pallet from any direction. And, since pallet trucks are utilized in warehouses and docking bays, as well for applications within the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food / beverage industries, pallet jacks can also be found with specialized coatings and finishes. With galvanized and stainless steel finishes, a pallet truck can be routinely cleaned and disinfected or operated in chemically hazardous or corrosive environment.

More recently, manual pallet trucks have even been outfitted with electronic scales and LCD displays, thereby combining all the functionality of a pallet truck with the precise measurement of a calibrate freight scale.

Brochures and information on the entire Stärke line of manual and electric pallet trucks can all be found here. Or, for more information, advice, or a quote, please contact your nearest Stärke Material Handling Dealer with locations throughout Canada or the USA.

www.starkeforklift.com

Local: (905)-227-7554  |  Toll free: 1-877-435-4352