Explaining the Different Types of Pallet Lifters

Quality and efficient material handling equipment is designed to enhance work flow and productivity in all business whose operations are based on lifting, transporting and unloading goods. From manufacturing plants and warehouses to retail stores and factories, each of these require effective methods and equipment for handling different types of heavy products. One of the most practical and versatile piece of material handing equipment is the pallet lift, also know as pallet jack. It's most commonly used to lift items such as pallets, sacks and bags. With its compact size and efficient operation, the pallet lift is great for those jobs that don't require the use of larger lifting equipment like a forklift or crane.

One of the main things that makes pallet jacks so convenient is their ability to cover large distance, thus allowing workers to lift and transport goods from one section of a large factory to another safely and efficiently. They're particularly useful in big warehouses where they can be used to handle inventory pallets across the whole length of the work space. Due to their compact size, manoeuvring them through warehouse aisles is a simple task so they can also be used for organizing or picking up products. Most pallet lifts have a simple design and feature a set of fork blades that are controlled through a hydraulic system and wheels. It's important to mention that not all pallet lifts operate in the same way. Depending on their method of operation, they can be divided into three main categories.

Electrical Pallet Jacks

With its ease of operation and enhanced efficiency, the electrical pallet lift can be used for many different jobs, from pulling loads to transporting goods. This is a small machine that is commonly used in warehouses for lifting and stacking multiple layers of inventory pallets. Most electrical pallet lifts are powered by an industrial battery that needs to be recharged regularly when the lifter is in use. They feature a control button and a drive wheel that is designed to pick and transport the load. With a simple press of the button the operator lifts and lowers the goods.

Manual Pallet Jacks

Just like their electrical counterparts, manual pallet jacks are easy to use, however they operate in a very different way. Most models come with a hydraulic pump that is controlled through a specifically designed handle. They are smaller and less expensive than electrical lifters and are often use for transporting loads over shorter distances. Although, they can be used to cover a larger distance, due to their manual operation this can be rather difficult and time-consuming, therefore a better choice for this job would be an electrical pallet jack.

Rider Pallet Jacks

As an enhanced version of the electrical lifter, the rider pallet jack comes with both driving and power lift capabilities. It features a platform where the operator can stand on while driving the pallet jack. This advanced model of pallet lifter is commonly used for trainspotting larger loads across the workplace and can easily cover large distances.