A pallet jack is a special piece of equipment that is used to move loads. The device is also called Rochley or rocket. Basically, the technique is used to maintain warehouses and increase the efficiency of receiving or shipping goods
Hydraulic trolleys differ from conventional wheelbarrows in design. The equipment is completed with hydraulic jacks. The mechanisms are designed to raise and lower loads along the entire length of the forks. Both operations are accompanied by the application of minimal physical effort on the part of the personnel.
In order to improve the convenience of work, pallet jack are often endowed with additional functions. For example, there is warehouse equipment with built-in scales. Hydraulic pallet jack of this type allow quick and accurate weighing of loads. It takes seconds to stabilize the readings.
Pallet jack design
The design of a modern standard hydraulic pallet jack necessarily includes the following components.
- Handle with control lever.
- Hydraulic unit.
- Fork for cargo.
- Front wheelset.
Due to the simplicity of their design, the bogies are characterized by reliability and durability. No special training is required to master the intricacies of pallet jack control. It takes no more than 10-15 minutes to understand the basic rules of working with pallet jack. It takes 1-2 shifts to gain the proper experience in using the device effectively.
Features of operation and how to choose pallet jack
In order for the warehouse trolley to serve as long as possible, before purchasing it, you need to figure out how to choose the right pallet jack that is right for your company spied in the pallet jack buyer’s guide on bestpavingtools.
The key component of any carriage is the hydraulic system. The hydraulics are driven by a pump. The task of the pump is to provide a predetermined level of air pressure. The hydraulic drive is located on a movable platform. The platform is controlled by a rotary handle.
The pallet is gripped with a pitchfork. To connect the elements to the hydraulic unit, lever-type corner consoles are used. Most of the pallet jack, which are now produced by manufacturers of warehouse equipment, capture cargo, both in the longitudinal and transverse directions.
One of the important advantages of pallet jack is a simple and understandable principle of operation. First, the forks of the bogie are rolled under the pallet, after which the grab is carried out. Then the cargo is transported to the desired distance and removed. The lift-to-height function greatly simplifies the installation of products on racks.
Types of pallet jack
Depending on the design, hydraulic carts are divided into 8 main types.
Standard pallet jack. Relatively inexpensive devices with a lifting capacity of up to 2 tons. Provided that they are equipped with wear-resistant wheels, the trolleys are used not only indoors, but also outdoors. At the moment, this type of pallet jack is the most popular.
Wide pallet jack. Carts for transportation of non-standard or oversized products. The chassis and equipment housings are made of high strength materials, which guarantees safe work. The distance between the pallet forks is up to 0.85 m.
Weighing trolleys. For such pallet jack, devices for measuring the mass of the load are located above the waterworks. The load cells are built into the forks. The normal error of devices is 0.5-1 kg. The equipment is powered by compact batteries, which must be recharged periodically.
Scissor pallet jack. Ideal for the price and quality option for work where there is often a need to lift loads to a height. The products are installed on a solid platform that resembles a low table on wheels. Lifting up is done in automatic or manual mode.
Titans. The name of the bogies is explained by the characteristic of the carrying capacity, which in some models reaches 5 tons. For trouble-free operation, the equipment is equipped with hydraulics with a high degree of protection. High-quality machinery maintains good maneuverability even at maximum load.
Short pallet jack. The devices are equipped with short forks, which reduces the size. Compact rockers are optimal for warehouses with limited space for the passage of special equipment. The equipment easily passes between the pallet jack and easily fits into the trunk of cars.
Low profile carts. Specialized pallet jack that increase the efficiency of cargo handling with European or American pallets. The forks of the devices rise above the floor surface by no more than 35 mm. The maximum lifting height reaches 20 cm.
Long pallet jack. Trolleys with fork grips up to 2 m. Although rohls are designed to transport bulky goods, the devices are often used to transport standard pallets or pallets. The devices belong to warehouse equipment of the middle price category.
Types of special purpose trolleys
- Pallet jack from stainless steel.
- Equipment for the transportation of rolls.
- Highly maneuverable pallet jacks.
Stainless steel hydraulic trucks are used at facilities where increased requirements are imposed on warehouse equipment with regard to resistance to moisture, acids, alkalis and salts. Pallet jack for rolls are made with triangular forks. Highly maneuverable pallet jacks are equipped with special rollers for lateral movement, which make it possible to drive sideways between obstacles.
Tips for the correct use of pallet jack
- Never place products weighing more than the maximum load capacity on trolleys. Otherwise, the hydraulic system will quickly become unusable.
- To prevent deformation of the forks, distribute the load evenly between both pallet picks.
- Check the roller bearings regularly. Make sure that no dust and foreign objects get there. This applies equally to street dirt.
- Pump fluid into the slave cylinder at full range of motion of the pallet jack control handle.
- To avoid premature wheel wear, try not to use the pallet jacks on uneven, heavily soiled or rough floor surfaces.
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