Tips for the maintenance of pallet trucks

Did you know that a daily check of your pallet truck is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises?

Maintaining your pallet truck is important for preventing breakages, prolonging its use and for a safe working environment.

In this article you will find all the necessary checks and practical tips to avoid breakage risks and repair costs.

The check list of checks to be carried out

The pallet truck is a working tool that does not require much maintenance, however it is a good idea to have a quick daily inspection to avoid breakages, malfunctions and wear and tear.

With a few quick checks, you can extend the lifespan of your pallet truck:

• lubrication points
• wheels
• axles
• the drawbar
• forks
• the control lever

You will save a lot of time and unnecessary expenses!

It is important to frequently lubricate all movable parts with motor oil or grease, it is advisable to ask your dealer for details on the type of oil to use for maintenance or consult the instruction manual. After each use, the forks must be lowered and unloaded. To remove air that builds up in the hydraulic system during use, simply move the tiller up and down several times.

All types of pallet trucks

There are different types of pallet trucks, which meet different lifting and transport needs:

find out which one is right for you!

Hand pallet trucks

Economical hand pallet truck 2,000 kg

If you have no special requirements and need a high-performance, robust hand pallet truck with a hermetic hydraulic lifting system, equipped with an overload safety valve and low weight (65 kg), this is the one for you. Equipped with forged steel forks, it has 3 shift lever functions (up, neutral and down), 18 cm diameter cast iron and polyurethane steering wheels, double polyurethane rollers and entry chutes for easy loading and unloading of the pallet.

If, on the other hand, a higher load capacity is required, it is advisable to use the 2,500 kg hand pallet truck with quick lift, which adds to the features of the previous one, a quick lift system up to 150 kg: just two strokes of the lever are needed to lift the load from the ground and four to reach the maximum height. It saves time while maintaining performance quality and ease of manoeuvre.

Slightly heavier (70.5 kg), but highly reliable and easy to manoeuvre, is the hand pallet truck with a capacity of 2,500 kg, which retains the same technical features as its predecessors.

Pallet truck weighing pallet truck

The 2,000 kg capacity hand pallet truck weighs and moves your pallets. It is accurate, thanks to four aluminium shera-beam load cells, with a capacity of approximately 0.2 % of the maximum capacity. It has a weight indicator with LCD display and a functional 5-key waterproof keyboard. It is particularly robust, thanks to its thick steel construction. Equipped with polyurethane steering wheels and double rollers at the front, it is easy to manoeuvre in and out of the pallet. Its main functions in addition to transport are net/gross weight calculation, lb/kg conversion, piece counting, zeroing, tare and percentage weighing.

Pallet truck Long fork pallet trucks

For loading and transporting long and non-standard pallets.

Pallet trucks with short forks

Useful for confined spaces such as lifts and elevators.

Pallet trucks scissor lifts

It is a pallet truck that exists in both manual and electric versions, and is used for transporting loads and for leveling thanks to the lift table. It is easy to use, quickly lifts up to 1,000 kg, and safe thanks to the stabilisers that prevent the load from moving when the platform is more than 400 mm above the ground.

Components and spare parts for hand pallet trucks

Depending on the pallet truck model and use, there are different components and spare parts available:

• cast iron and polyurethane wheels (18 cm diameter)
• polyurethane wheels and double wheels (diameter 18 cm and 20 cm)
• polyurethane rollers and double rollers
• operating and parking brake
• side stabilising rollers for the scissor lift pallet truck
• 12 V batteries for the electric pallet truck
• scale batteries for the weighing pallet truck

Tips for correct use of the pallet truck

The pallet truck is a working tool used by companies and businesses to move and transit goods for short distances, thanks to the oleo-pneumatic system that allows the load to be lifted by the few centimetres required for movement.

When using the pallet truck, it is important to pay attention to useful precautions to reduce potential risks:

• keep the tiller handle at a distance of 50 cm from the chassis when driving;
• only approach and load the pallet from the front;
• manoeuvre the pallet truck ensuring that there is adequate space;
• always proceed facing the direction of travel and never backwards;
• do not lift loads at high heights that prevent proper visibility by the operator;
• do not use the pallet truck at the same time as other handling operations.

Standards and licence for pallet truck use

The hand pallet truck is increasingly an indispensable working tool for loading and moving pallets and pallets.

In the context of occupational safety regulations, Legislative Decree 81/08 provides for compulsory training for workers working with pallet trucks, with the aim of minimising the possible risks associated with incorrect use of the tool. The training course includes a theoretical module, in which all regulatory, technical and maintenance information on the tool is provided, and a practical one, in which through simulations and tests of use, the rules of correct and safe use of the pallet truck are put into practice. At the end of the course, a licence is issued to the operator who has successfully completed the training. It is the employer’s obligation to provide adequate tools for the activity performed and to ensure that his operators are properly trained.

Risks in pallet truck use

The correct use of the pallet truck eliminates the likelihood of injuries and accidents related to its use.

The main risks in using a hand pallet truck are:

• injuries from incorrect use of the truck
• crushing of lower limbs
• crushing between pallet trucks and other structures or loads
• running over people.

By using the pallet truck correctly and wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety footwear, most risks and related occupational accidents can be avoided.

The pallet truck is a useful and easy-to-use tool, and, as we have seen, only a few practical steps are needed to maintain it correctly.

Remember, therefore, a correct daily service-routine is enough to prolong its life.