Definition

An electric pallet truck is a pallet jack that is operated by battery-powered electricity.  It can either be semi-electric or fully powered.  Some models also have built in digital scales for weighing pallets.  Electric units evolved out of a need to move larger, heavier pallets in a shorter amount of time.

Challenges Addressed

Historically, manual pallet jacks could only be used to move loads that were light enough for a human operator to safely maneuver them.  Heavier pallets, and stacks of pallets, had to be moved with forklifts.  Obviously, this limited operations that may have only had a limited number of forklifts that were being used for a variety of tasks besides that of moving pallets. 

Additionally, driving forklifts in the same area where workers are manually pushing pallets on jacks can be very unsafe.  This was not so much of a problem in very large warehouses with plenty of space.  For smaller outfits, however, driving forklifts in and out of the same areas where workers were operating standard jacks was inconvenient at best, dangerous at worst.

Equipment at a Glance

Easy Rack sells a number of power pallet trucks that feature different weight capacities, power differentials, and added features.

Fully electric pallet jacks operate on DC batteries and come with a battery charger.  They can maneuver loads ranging between 3,000 to 4,500 pounds, depending on the model.  Fully powered units are designed for fast operation.  Forks can be raised and lowered with fingertip buttons, and a full range of speeds are available in both forward and reverse.  Units can operate for a full 8 hours on a single charge.

There are also new fully powered models that now incorporate digital scales into their design.  The scale features an RS232 port for serial printing and measures product in ½ pound increments.

For companies with a limited procurement budget, semi electric pallet trucks raise and lower pallets manually, while DC power moves them forward at a travel speed of 1.86 mph.

Solutions

DC power makes electric pallet trucks some of the most ergonomic of the pallet jack family of material handling products.  The ability to safely lift, move, and lower large stacks of pallets weighing over 4,000 pounds reduces the risk of operator injury, strain, or fatigue

Electric powered units offer a distinctive advantage over fork trucks in tight, limited spaces.  In narrow aisles, cramped corners, and small loading docks, they are much easier to maneuver than larger, bulkier forklifts.

The presence of a scale on the most advanced units allows for inventory tracking in industries where product weight must be documented upon arrival.  Placing the scale on the jack and printing out data on the spot saves workers the additional step of having to move pallets off the jack, onto a scale, and back onto the jack after weigh-in.

Results

Organizations that have invested in electric pallet trucks have seen a definite improvement in process flow time.  Aside from the obvious benefit of being able to lift and move over 4,000 pounds effortlessly, the ease of control these units offer make them safe for all indoor environments where heavier equipment is difficult to operate.