Pallet Trucks: Essential Tools for Workplace Productivity and Safety
In any busy warehouse, distribution centre, or industrial unit, reliable equipment is key to keeping operations moving smoothly. Pallet trucks are one of the most common and useful types of manual handling equipment you’ll find. They make it easier and safer to transport palletised goods, reduce physical strain, and improve overall productivity.
Pallet trucks do more than just move loads from one area to another. When used properly and when chosen to suit the job, they can improve speed, reduce injuries, and create a more organised working environment. Whether you are operating in a small storeroom or a large-scale fulfilment centre, the right pallet truck can make a big difference to your day-to-day workflow.
Let’s look at the many types available and how to decide which one might be best for your workplace.
Different Types of and How They Work
Pallet trucks vary in size, weight capacity, handling style, and terrain suitability. Choosing the right one depends on your workspace, the loads you handle, and how often you use the equipment. Below are the main types of pallet trucks and the roles they play.
Manual Pallet Trucks
Manual pallet trucks are the most basic form. These hand-operated models are ideal for short distances and smaller loads. A good example is the reliable Hand Pallet Truck Yellow 685x1220mm 2500kg. These trucks require the operator to manually pump the handle to lift the load and pull or push to move it. They are lightweight, simple to use, and perfect for stores, small warehouses or workshops with limited room.
At A2B Office Supplies, we stock a wide range of these dependable trucks, including options like the Slingsby Heavy Duty 2500kg Pallet Truck, which includes a three-position handle and smooth-rolling nylon tyres for ease of movement.
Electric Pallet Trucks
Electric pallet trucks are powered units, allowing workers to move heavier loads over greater distances with less effort. These trucks are ideal for locations where large loads are moved frequently, helping reduce the physical demands on the operator.
Some electric models also provide a stand-on platform for the operator, improving both comfort and speed. They are often used in large warehouses, shipping yards, and places with high daily output.
High-Lift Pallet Trucks
Instead of lifting just enough to move the pallets, high-lift pallet trucks raise them to more comfortable heights. This is useful for jobs like sorting, packing, or assembly, where operators need to access the top of the pallet without bending over repeatedly.
By raising materials to a better working height, these reduce back strain and help maintain a tidy, accessible workspace. High-lift pallet trucks are common in production zones, packaging lines, or any area focused on repetitive tasks.
Weigh-Scale Pallet Trucks
These practical trucks come with built-in scales so you can weigh loads while you’re transporting them. That means you get two jobs done at once: moving goods and making sure they’re the right weight. This can make things much quicker in warehouses where weight checks are a regular part of the process.
They’re especially useful in industries like distribution or pharmaceuticals where weight tracking is crucial and helps prevent overloading or shipping errors.
Rough Terrain Pallet Trucks
Standard wheels on a basic pallet truck won’t get far on gravel or uneven ground. That’s where heavy-duty rough terrain or all-terrain pallet trucks come in. They’ve got heavy frames and larger wheels that can handle difficult surfaces like construction sites, garden centres or outdoor yards.
If your site has both indoor and outdoor areas or unpaved surfaces, these trucks can save time and effort by not having to swap out equipment.
Narrow and Specialised Pallet Trucks
Some warehouses have really tight aisles. That’s when narrow pallet trucks become useful. They allow better handling in small spaces, reducing bump hazards in compact storerooms or retail loading bays.
You can also find special designs like low-profile trucks if you need to handle very low pallets. These specialised models often get overlooked, but they’re perfect when space is tight or load shapes vary.
Double Pallet Trucks
If speed and load volume are top priorities, then double pallet trucks could be ideal. These are designed to lift and move two pallets at once, cutting travel time in half. That means fewer trips back and forth and higher output for the same labour.
You’ll often see these used in food distribution centres or retail logistics zones where things need to be moved quickly and reliably.
Practical Uses and Real Benefits of Pallet Trucks
We see pallet trucks being used every day for unloading deliveries, moving items from storage to shelving areas, retrieving stock for orders, or managing returns.
They keep things moving at a pace without relying on larger or more complicated machinery, like forklifts. You just grab the handle and go.
Alongside this, pallet trucks are a big help in keeping staff safe. Repeated lifting or awkward carrying positions can lead to injury. Good manual handling equipment, like pallet trucks, cuts out unnecessary lifting and lowers the strain on your team.
They’re also a big help for planning the flow of goods. When the right truck is used in the right area, goods move in a smooth, organised and timed way. For example, using manual pallet trucks for the smaller back quarters of your store and electric-powered versions for wide loading bays.
Choosing the Right Manual Handling Equipment for the Job
Not every workplace needs the same type. Some important things to keep in mind when choosing manual handling equipment or pallet trucks include:
- Load weight: Are you moving lighter boxes or stacked pallets at maximum load?
- Surface type: Smooth warehouse floors or gravel yards and uneven yards?
- Distance: Will the load be moved just a few feet or across multiple aisles or units?
- Space: Are aisles narrow, or do turning circles need to be tight?
- Height: Does the load need to be lifted high for packing and sorting?
Thinking through these questions can help find the best match for the task. There’s no sense in using a manual pallet truck when an electric one is needed for multiple heavy loads. It’s about balancing ease of use with work volume and task frequency.
How the Right Pallet Trucks Make a Workplace Safer
When we talk about safety in the workplace, pallet trucks play a clear role in reducing both short-term injuries and long-term strain. Manual handling is one of the most common causes of workplace injury. Equipping a team with the right gear can prevent that.
High-lift pallet trucks are particularly helpful for reducing bending, lowering the risk of back pain. Weighing pallet trucks can prevent accidents linked to guessing the load weight wrong. Narrow models reduce the risk of equipment or loads bumping into shelves or other people.
By making it easier for workers to move items properly, with less stress on their bodies, pallet trucks help promote a healthier work environment.
Pallet Trucks and Manual Handling Equipment Work Together
Pallet trucks are just one part of a broader set of manual handling equipment. Trolleys, sack trucks, picking ladders and dollies all have their place. Choosing each based on the task improves both output and worker well-being.
When building up equipment for a warehouse or store, think about how tasks are spread throughout the day. Starting with quality pallet trucks is a smart move because they perform multiple functions and cover both safety and logistical needs.
At A2B Office Supplies, we provide pallet trucks alongside a wide range of manual handling tools so that your whole process fits together.
FAQs
Are all pallet trucks the same size?
No. They come in various fork widths and lengths to suit different pallet types and space sizes.
What weight can a pallet truck carry?
Standard models usually handle around 2500kg, with options available above and below that range, depending on the model you choose.
Do you need training to use a pallet truck?
While certification isn’t often required for manual models, proper training in manual handling techniques is always a good idea for staff safety.
Can electric pallet trucks be used outdoors?
Some are designed for indoor use only, but rugged or sealed options exist for use in covered outdoor spaces.
Will pallet trucks work with all pallet designs?
Not always. Euro pallets and non-standard sizes may need special dimensions or custom-fit trucks.
Keep Your Goods Moving with the Right Pallet Truck
Pallet trucks play a steady and supportive role in the flow of goods every day. Whether you’re outfitting a new storeroom or refreshing warehouse equipment, choosing the right pallet truck helps keep things running smoother, faster and safer. With models suited to every kind of space, load or terrain, there’s always a good match out there.
Take a look at our reliable range of pallet trucks at A2B Office Supplies to find the right fit for your workplace. Your team and your floors will thank you.
