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