How do you use a pallet truck?

Now that we all know what a pallet jack is, how do you use a pallet truck? Before we get into the “how”, let us refresh on why exactly you need a pallet truck in your warehouse.

Pallet trucks are built to effectively transport the rough wooden platforms known as pallets or skids that so often contain all the goods arriving from a truck at a warehouse or retail facility. You will need a pallet truck to move your heavy goods loads quickly and easily around your warehouse.

There is a huge variety of pallet trucks you can purchase for your warehouse, some are the same, but the following directions should have you covered for the challenges of how to use a pallet truck:

How do you use a pallet truck: Find the release lever

Stand behind the pallet truck as this is the position you will be in when you move it. Look for a small handle called lever that allows the pallet truck prongs (the large flat metal pieces near the floor) to drop all the way down toward the floor.

The pallet truck drop lever is often a small lever in the middle of the rounded handle. It may be distinguished by a different colour of plastic or otherwise marked.

How do you use a pallet truck: Push inward on the drop lever to lower the prongs

If the prongs are already completely lowered, you will not see them move. The prongs should only be an inch or two from the floor. Compress them down to the narrowest explanation possible.

How do you use a pallet truck: Put the prongs underneath the skid or pallet

You will see when approaching the skid whether the product will fit underneath. If they will not fit, the machine has not been lowered sufficiently, so try to push again on the drop lever.

How do you use a pallet truck: Use the handle to jack up the pallet jack

When the prongs are under the skid, pull the vertical stem toward you, away from the pallet and toward the floor in a diagonal motion. You should feel the pallet jack (and the pallet) slowly rising against the pressure of gravity. Most pallet trucks lift their prongs roughly 17 cm from the ground.

How do you use a pallet truck: Check before moving

Ensure that the pallet is jacked up from the floor before moving. Also check for it not to be on the cross wood of the skid, as if the wheels are on the cross wood this will stop the jack from going up and stop it from rolling. Front wheels must also be on the floor.

Moving heavy loads, equipment or other heavy objects would be very difficult if not impossible without the aid of a pallet jack. Pallet jacks safely lift the load, using a hydraulic jack. A hydraulic jack uses hydraulic oil to transfer the pressure needed to lift the load. Part of the pallet jack’s maintenance is checking the hydraulic oil to ensure that it is at the proper oil level. Knowing how to fill the pallet jack with hydraulic oil to keep the hydraulic oil at its proper oil level is essential to keep the pallet jack in top working condition.

Step 1

Park the pallet truck on a hard, level surface. Move the pallet jack’s control lever to the “Lower” position to completely lower the pallet jack’s fork.

Step 2

Remove the hydraulic oil reservoir plug and washer by unscrewing the plug, using the flat-head screwdriver. Refer to the owner’s manual of the pallet jack for the location of the hydraulic oil reservoir plug.

Step 3

Add the hydraulic oil to the hydraulic oil reservoir’s fill hole, using the funnel. Remove the funnel to check the oil level in the hydraulic oil reservoir. The oil level should be up to the bottom of the hydraulic oil reservoir’s fill hole.

Step 4

Pump the pallet jack’s handle 10 to 15 times to bleed the hydraulic unit of the pallet jack. Bleeding is done to remove any trapped air in the pallet jack’s hydraulic system.

Step 5

Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the oil level in the hydraulic oil reservoir is stable at the bottom of the hydraulic oil reservoir’s fill hole.

Step 6

Return the hydraulic oil reservoir plug and washer to the hydraulic oil reservoir’s fill hole. Screw it on tightly, using the flat-head screwdriver. Wipe any excess hydraulic oil on the hydraulic oil reservoir with the rag.

The team at PalletTruckParts.co.uk often get asked by our customers on what is the best way to replace / fill the hydraulic oil on their pallet/ pump truck. So, here is a basic guide how to do this:

1: Park the pallet truck on a hard, level surface. Move the pallet truck’s control “trigger” lever on the handle to the “Lower” position to completely lower the pallet jack’s fork.

2: Remove the hydraulic oil reservoir plug and washer by unscrewing the plug, using the flathead screwdriver/ spanner. Refer to the owner’s manual of the pallet jack for the location of the hydraulic oil reservoir plug (or call us if you are unsure).

3: Add the hydraulic oil to the hydraulic oil reservoir’s fill hole, using the funnel. Remove the funnel to check the oil level in the hydraulic oil reservoir. The oil level should be up to the bottom of the hydraulic oil reservoir’s fill hole.

4: Pump the pallet truck’s handle 10 to 15 times to bleed the hydraulic unit of the pallet truck. Bleeding is done to remove any trapped air in the pallet jack’s hydraulic system.

5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the oil level in the hydraulic oil reservoir is stable at the bottom of the hydraulic oil reservoir’s fill hole.

6: Return the hydraulic oil reservoir plug and washer to the hydraulic oil reservoir’s fill hole. Screw it on tightly, using the flathead screwdriver/ spanner. Wipe any excess hydraulic oil on the hydraulic oil reservoir with the rag.