Manual or Electric Pallet Truck: Which Will Be Better For Your Task?

When it comes to choosing pallet trucks, material handling warehouse managers have varied requirements. Based on their specific requirements, they have to decide between a manual and an electric pallet truck. So your decision should be based on the following considerations –

I. Size of Your Facility

As a thumb’s rule, bigger facilities will need using electric pallet trucks. While smaller facilities having narrower spaces to move around will benefit from manual pallet trucks. For instance:

• An electric pallet truck would not be the right choice, especially for restricted spaces. This is because steering, stopping and starting frequently can be quite intricate compared to manual pallet truck.
• Similarly, moving pallets manually in large spaces, all over the material handling facility can be actually very tiring for a worker.

II. Pallet Stacking Requirements

Electric pallet trucks are actually designed for effortless lifting and moving of tall pallet stacks.

[A] Manual Pallet Trucks

Manual pallet jacks (aka hand pallet trucks) are the most basic type of pallet truck. Their standard capacities range from 2000-2,500 kg. The pallet laden with the product is lifted and carried to its desired destination. It is accomplished by pumping its handle or hydraulically lifting the forks once placed on a pallet.

Key considerations:

1. The manual pallet truck is designed in such a way that it’s capable of transporting very heavy loads flawlessly so that pallets are not damaged during transit.
2. Manual pallet trucks are regarded to be extremely durable and dependable. This is because they are well-built and have a sturdy design, so maintaining them for a longer period is a breeze. Henceforth, these hand pallet trucks are able to endure the hardships of a material handling facility.
3. Due to their basic design, they are able to fit into many types of the pallet. Hand pallet trucks can also be bought with different fork dimensions so that they can be used in applications needing those dimensions.
4. As they are very flexible, they can be used in operations of any magnitude.
5. They have relatively low maintenance and don’t have any electrical parts.
6. A simple and clean design means components are readily available and repairs are promptly completed.
7. Hand pallet trucks are extensively used all over the logistics industry – it’s because of their relatively low cost.

[B] Electric Pallet Trucks

Electric pallet trucks are fully automated variants of hand pallet trucks and are bigger in size. They facilitate the user to stand and ride the pallet truck starting from pick-up point to delivery. Read the post on buying guide of electric pallet jack / pallet truck

Key considerations:

1. Electric pallet trucks can lift, lower and move around in a warehouse effortlessly.
2. An electric pallet truck facilitates the worker to move larger distances with lesser breaks. Thus, it can save a significant amount of operational time in a hectic warehouse setting.
3. Electric pallet trucks are less prone to inflict a strain associated injury to the worker because these electric pallet trucks are automated and include a power-assisted lift.
4. There is an electric pallet truck available to meet the precise demands of your company’s needs.

Summing Up

Take into account the above crucial factors for determining the best pallet truck solution for your material handling warehouse or facility. We have wide range of branded pallet jacks including Xilin Heavy Duty Pallet Trucks, EP electric pallet trucks and UniCarriers electric pallet trucks