Handling Equipment

A manual jack can fit in the back of a truck or van and it can be used almost anywhere. They can lift up to 5500 pounds and you will never need electricity. The electric jack on the other hand will make the job of lifting and hauling the load much easier on the operator. An electric jack is a happy medium between a manual jack and a forklift. These are some of the top pallet jacks on the market. Weight: There are weight restrictions for container floors and liftgate, so you must know how much the pallet weighs. With that in mind, you might have to buy different size/weight pallets. Load Capacity: Before you buy your jack, figure out the maximum weight of the items you are going to be hauling, and go from there. And once you get the one with the load capacity you want, don’t overload it. This is because overloading is responsible for breakage. Lift Height: A pallet jack can raise a load as high as 8 feet. Considering the dangers that come with raising a load this high, make sure you look at the rated capacity at different heights. Fork Length: If you do not have the right fork length on the pallet, you run the risk of dumping the load when you are moving. Make sure to use the jack with the proper fork length for the pallet to ensure the safety of your employees and cargo. Wheels: Make sure to select high-quality wheels. The load along with the floor surface will greatly determine how the wheels on the jacks perform. This includes staining your floor if wheels are of low quality. Look for non-staining, durable polyurethane wheels.