The Electric Pallet Jack: Making Life Easier In The Workplace

Electric pallet jacks have made life much easier in factories, warehouses and other areas where a lot of heavy lifting takes place. However, it may also become a safety hazard if used improperly or handled by inexperienced individuals. You have to be familiar about the aspects of the power tool in order to maximize efficiency and reduce operational risks.

What is an Electric Pallet Jack?

Electric pallet jacks are heavy duty tools usually made of very hard steel. These power tools differ from conventional machines in terms of electrical operation and control. One advantage is its ability to accurately take tracking weight of incoming and outbound weight. These are used to lift and move heavy loads around the workplace in a horizontal manner. One thing to remember is that the jacks cannot lift loads very high. The lift is only but a few inches off the floor so they are generally used to move heavy pallets from one part of the area to another. Different machines will then be used to stack pallets in high piles.

The Heights

Currently, there are several models and features that these modern machines have. Usually, there are three different fork heights, namely: the neutral stage, lowered stage or raised stage. Neutral stage pallet jacks can be raised or lowered by a few inches. In some cases, these can be efficient in taking or loading pallet stacks. Lowered stage ones are more common since these comprise the majority of conventional models. The range of height is limited to a few inches off the floor. Raised stage jacks can lift and transfer loads located at higher regions of the stack. Although the height range is very limited, the machines can be very dangerous if not handled carefully. Take note that higher fork stages also require more caution because of counterbalance effects.

Where Can You Find Them?

Electric Pallet Jacks can be found in almost any area with heavy lifting operations and pallets. Examples are manufacturing plants, storage facilities, warehouses, textile, chemical and food factories, laboratories and even trailers. There are special models that are able to move around very limited space or in a single track for closed quarter operations. The speed and maneuverability of recent models have been improved significantly so that they can function very well regardless of area limitations. The forks can work with or without pallets as maneuverability improves. These are usually made of stainless or galvanized steel which is highly resistant to rust, moisture and corrosion.

The Lift Capacity

Electric pallet jacks can lift anywhere from 1,000 to 25,000 pounds depending on the type and mechanism. Weight may also depend on the size of the pallets, fork length and width, weight of the machine and fork stage. The distance to be covered should also be considered to properly take into account counterbalance forces. Heavy duty jacks can handle several pallets and loads at one time and there are also closed quarter models that can lift several thousands of pounds despite their smaller structure and lighter weight. With the help of some attachments and accessories, lift can improve at a certain degree.

Safety Precautions

It is very important that the operator is qualified and has undergone proper training for the machine being handled to avoid any untoward accidents. It is possible for the operator to run over his or her own feet, other employees or other stacks. Visibility is vital to ensure that the electric pallet jack stays on track and will not accidentally back into walls or piles. Putting windows and checking the corners of the jack to remove blind spots will increase efficiency and safety.