Electric Pallet Truck: A Businessman's Primer

What is an Electric Pallet Truck?

An electric pallet truck is an electric-powered industrial truck primarily used to perform functions in lifting and transporting heavy loads and materials via a steel fork. The truck may also be referred to as a forklift truck because the fork is its most distinct trait inserted under loads stored on pallets in order to lift. Since the forklift’s first discovery almost a century ago, it has become one of the most useful pieces of equipment in factories and warehouses today.

The Design

Pallet trucks come in various designs with distinct methods of operation as well but all use the same mechanism of lifting pallets via a forklift. An electrical pallet truck is run via electricity. The controller/driver stands or sits at the control area or cab which has a steering wheel, levers, switches, control buttons and sticks responsible for moving the entire equipment.

There are other models that may be manually powered or uses counterbalance mechanisms for effective lift. There are also electric counterbalanced trucks that work with weights as they lift and transport pallets from one area to the next. There are trucks that are able to carry heavier loads but move relatively slow and there are also trucks that can effectively meet the fast-paced demands with great maneuverability and speed.

The Parts

Electric pallet trucks using counterbalance forklifts have wheels or tracks powered via a drive train. The electric motor is powered by fuel cells or a battery while other models may run on a gasoline or diesel-fueled ICE or internal combustion engine. The mast is the vertical assembly responsible for lifting and moving the pallets through hydraulic or electric operation. The carriage is made of flat metal plates moving along the mast with one or more L-shaped forks holding the load.

The Forklift

The forklift of an electric pallet truck is one of its most important aspects and usually has rear-wheel steering. Forks may also be referred to as skids, blades or tines. The forklift and load should constantly be considered as a single unit for maximum safety and efficiency. There are new designs with tapered fork tips and masts can normally be tilted to move the angle toward the controller. Standard forklifts can lift anywhere from one to five tons.

Electric Pallet Truck Safety

Since the forklift is also known somewhat for being unstable, the structure of the equipment as well as the manner of operation is first ensured to be safe to all concerned before work begins. Turning requires proper application of forces to avoid tipping over or slipping of load. The electric pallet truck should only be maneuvered by well-experienced individuals although these are considered easier to handle than conventional types and models.

Recent models have been developed further which boasts improvement in acceleration, top speed and control through the new drive motor and transistor control system. Maneuverability of new electric pallet trucks has become excellent featuring a compact design able to work extremely well in rather confined spaces and even inside trailers on a single track.