How to Use a Pallet Jack? Know the Guide step by step
Pallet jacks are frequently seen in industrial settings when items are transported to various warehouse locations using pallets and skids. They’re especially helpful for warehouses and small enterprises because they don’t require a special license to operate and are more economical than forklifts types. But How to Use a Pallet Jack?
Pallet jacks are used for short-distance transportation of light cargo because they are less expensive, simpler to use, and safer than manual labor than forklifts. Pallet jacks are available in two different styles: manual and motorized. Either could be a great option, depending on the project’s size and scope. Check out the detailed instructions below if you’re considering purchasing one of these products but are unsure of how to operate a pallet jack.
What Is a Pallet Jack?
First of all, what is a pallet jack exactly? Pallets are lifted and moved using a pallet jack, a material handling machinery which has two prongs and a hydraulic pump. It is sometimes referred to as a hand jack lift, pallet mover, or pallet truck.
Pallet jacks operated manually are powered by hand and don’t require electricity. Additionally, there are electric pallet jacks that run on batteries and need to be charged beforehand. Pallet jacks are necessary if you run a fulfilment centre or warehouse since they make it easier to load, unload, and store pallets.
Manual vs Electric Pallet Jacks
A manual Pallet jack differs from an electric model in that a manual pallet jack works only with human strength to push or pull the load; an electric pallet jack uses a battery. It means that more labour is required to move a manual pallet jack, but there are advantages as well, particularly for smaller warehouses with less inventory.
Because workers do not need to be certified to operate a manual pallet jack—a requirement that applies to all power-operated equipment, including electric pallet trucks and forklifts—it can be more convenient than electric pallet jacks.
How to Use a Pallet Jack Manually?
Many warehouse employees and others who have to transport items have encountered confusion when using one of the more basic industrial staples: the hand or manual pallet jack. Pallet jacks are designed to move pallets—rough wooden platforms often called skids—that frequently hold every item that arrives in a warehouse or retail location from a vehicle in an efficient manner. A novice can overcome the difficulties of operating a manual pallet jack with a few easy steps.Â
Step 1. Locate the lever for release. As you are going to be moving the manual pallet jack, take a position behind it. Locate the tiny lever that permits the pallet jack prongs—the big, flat metal parts that are close to the floor—to descend completely toward the ground.
Pallet jack drop levers are often little levers located on the vertical stem of manual machines in the centre of their circular handles. It might be identified by having a different plastic colour or by some other marking, or it might not be.
Step 2.To lower the prongs, press inward on the drop lever. You won’t notice the prongs move if they have already been lowered all the way. The prongs ought to be no more than an inch or two off the ground.
Step 3. Position the prongs beneath the pallet or skid. As you get closer to the skid, you can see if the merchandise will fit below. If they don’t fit, the machine hasn’t been lowered all the way; press the drop lever once more to attempt.
Step 4. To raise the pallet jack, turn the handle. Once the prongs are beneath the skid, pull the vertical stem toward you, away from the pallet, and toward the floor in a diagonal motion. The pallet jack and pallet should feel as though they are gradually rising against gravity.
Step 5. Verify that the pallet jack is not resting on the skid’s crossword; the front wheels ought to be on the ground. The jack will not only not raise but also roll when the wheels are on the crossword.
Before repositioning the manual pallet jack, ensure that the pallet has been raised off the ground.
Step 6. Adjust the pallet jack. To move the lifted pallet in a single direction, pull on the pallet jack handle after it appears and feels sufficiently raised to avoid dragging. Alternatively, when it’s time to transfer the pallet up over a lift gate or into a vehicle, people can push against the pallet.
How an Electric Pallet Jack Is Operated
Using an electric pallet jack can be even easier than using a manual pallet jack because the tedious task of jacking up the prongs is completed electronically. Additionally, a lot of them have a “ride-on” capability that helps facilitate moving about a big warehouse.
1. Disconnect and put the cord away.
Unplug the charging wire from the electric pallet jack and keep it inside the device before using it. Because electric power jacks run on energy, they need to be plugged in and charged while not in use. The length of the cord can usually be inserted and stored in an obvious place.
2. Determine the Lower Prongs and Controls
The pallet jack handle ought to have buttons that regulate the movement’s direction. To bring the prongs closer to the ground, press the “down” button. Once more, they ought to be between one and two inches above the ground.
3. Fill the Pallet with Contents
The controls can then be used to move the pallet jack to the desired spot. When you get in front of the pallet, move the prongs through the pallet and underneath it with the buttons. Next, raise the pallet and prongs off the ground by pressing the “up” button.
4. For movement, press the control buttons.
Using the control buttons, you can move to your destination once your pallet is safely loaded. Once more, hit the “down” button to bring the pallet and prongs to the ground when you get there.
5. The electric pallet jack has to be charged.
Reinstall the electric pallet jack in its original location after you’re done. When the electric pallet jack is needed again, take the charging cord out of the storage compartment and re-plug it to get it ready for use.
Pallet Jack Safety Tips
1. Before using, check the pallet jack.
Making sure everything looks to be in working order before using a pallet jack is one of the most crucial stages. It is advisable to check for items like loose connectors, uneven wheels, or improperly stored charging cables. Even though it might seem inconvenient, spending an extra few minutes will ensure that you do not unintentionally drop your pallet because of a malfunctioning pallet jack.
2. Limit Machine Access
It is imperative to ensure that only authorized personnel can operate machinery, particularly electric pallet jacks and other more potent equipment. A security code that must be input to use the system or something as basic as a desk with a sign-in sheet to record when someone is in could be used to restrict access.
3. Make Sure Everything Is in Order.
Making sure there are no obstructions in your path to the pallet and the drop-off location is the second step. Keep an eye out for loose building supplies and electrical wires, and pay attention to the terrain. It could be advisable to take a different path if the terrain is too uneven.
4. Pallet Jacks Should Be Kept Securely
It is a crucial step, particularly if you are working on a home remodelling or retail warehouse, where non-workers have easy access. Pallet jacks should always be kept in a place that is challenging for customers or laypeople to access and out of the way of other employees who need to move around the site.
FAQS
How is the mechanism of a pallet jack operated?
Lift links that extend the length of the forks are attached to the load wheels. When the handle is used to raise the forks, the lift cylinder extends, causing the load wheels to rise and the links to articulate. When raising a pallet or other kind of weight, it’s crucial to pay attention to where the load wheel is located.
Is a License Required to Use a Pallet Jack?
Both manual and electric pallet jack operators must finish a certification course to comply with OSHA safety rules. Specific employers frequently provide these, and online certifications are also accessible.
What height may a pallet jack be raised?
Pallet jacks are used to raise palletized products onto shelves for stacking and storage and to transfer palletized goods around warehouses. Depending on the sort of pallet jack you have, it can lift objects to different heights. They can raise pallets to a height of eight feet or three inches.
What’s the Maximum Weight Capacity for a Pallet Jack?
Up to 3,500 kg, or 7,700 lbs, may be lifted by the majority of pallet jacks, both manual and motorized. Depending on the model and size you’re using, this can vary because some can handle larger weights. For precise measurements, refer to the instructions provided with the particular model you intend to use.
