Pallet Jacks (Extra information...)

After further research, we have found that pallet jacks are considered one of the major industrial trucks used to move materials over variable paths, with no restrictions on the area covered by the movement. 2

Below are additional information on Industrial trucks: 2
- Used to move materials over variable (horizontal) paths with no restrictions on the area covered (i.e., unrestricted area)
- Provide vertical movement if the truck has lifting capabilities
- Used when there is insufficient (or intermittent) flow volume such that the use of a conveyor cannot be justified
- Provide more flexibility in movement than conveyors and cranes
- Not licensed to travel on public roads—"commercial trucks" are licensed to travel on public roads

Pallet jacks are also used for external distribution operations, where 1 or 2 pallet jacks are usually kept in the trucks that are used for distribution of materials. 3

While pallet jacks are common equipment used in Distribution Centres, there are still limitations. Here are some points to note when deciding on pallet jack usage.

Restrictions: 1
- Reversible pallets cannot be used.
- Double-faced non-reversible pallets cannot have deckboards where the front wheels extend to the floor, and enables only two-way entry into a four-way notched-stringer pallet because the forks cannot be inserted into the notches
- Operate only on one level. 4

Advantages: 4
- Excel at picking bulky or full case items.
- Can travel fast (twice the speed of a person) and can carry a large load.
- Can add an extra long fork and carry two pallets at once.
- Very versatile and can pick order, load trucks, or transport pallets from one place to another.
- Equipment ranges from manual jacks to powered equipment that the operator rides.

In conclusion to our pallet jack posts, we can see that there is a big variety of pallet jacks in the market nowadays due to the constantly changing and improving technology.

Instead of the traditional manual pallet jacks, customers can now choose from multiple catergories under pallet truck types. One example taken from LK Goodwin Co. 5 would be classifying pallet trucks under,

1. Hand Propelled Pallet Trucks

2. High Lift and Tilting Pallet Trucks

3. Special Purposes Pallet Trucks

For more information, we hope that the sources stated will be able to help. Other wise, leave us a message and we'll get back ASAP.

Sources:

1-http://www.ise.ncsu.edu/kay/mhetax/TransEq/IndusTr/index.htm#Pallet%20jack
2-http://www.ise.ncsu.edu/kay/mhetax/TransEq/IndusTr/index.htm#Pallet%20jack
3- Temasek Business School, Diploma in Logistics and Operations Management, Transport Management, AY2007/2008, April Semester, Students’ Note, Lecture 11
4- http://www.2wmc.com/Companion/KnowledgeVehicles.html
5-http://www.lkgoodwin.com/cgi-bin/quikstore.cgi?category=Pallet_Trucks_-_All_Types