Snow Plough

A sack truck is a wheeled handcart, typically with two wheels, designed for moving heavy or bulky items. It has a handle and a footplate or toe plate that allows users to tilt the truck back and maneuver loads with less effort.

Sack trucks are used to reduce the physical strain of manual handling, making it easier and safer to move heavy items. They are particularly useful in situations where manual lifting could lead to injury.

Sack trucks come in various designs, including:

• Standard sack trucks: Suitable for general use with a variety of loads. 
• Heavy-duty sack trucks: Designed for very heavy or bulky items. 
• Folding sack trucks: Compact and easy to store when not in use. 
• Specialty sack trucks: Designed for specific items like kegs or gas cylinders. 

Each sack truck has a specific weight capacity, which should be clearly indicated on the product or packaging. It is crucial to choose a truck that can handle the weight of the items you intend to move, as overloading can damage the truck and potentially cause accidents.

• Load Capacity: Never exceed the truck's weight limit. 
• Load Distribution: Distribute the weight evenly on the footplate and secure the load to prevent shifting. 
• Wheel Condition: Check the wheels for damage and ensure proper tire pressure. 
• Frame Inspection: Inspect the frame for any signs of damage or wear. 
• Safe Handling: Push rather than pull the truck for better control and stability. 
• Proper Footwear: Wear appropriate footwear, preferably with toe protection, and consider other PPE if needed.

• Solid rubber tires: Suitable for smooth, flat surfaces.
• Pneumatic tires: Ideal for uneven or rough surfaces, providing a smoother ride.
• Puncture-proof tires: Offer durability and resistance to punctures.

Regularly inspect the truck for any signs of damage, wear, or loose parts. Ensure that the wheels rotate smoothly and that the frame is in good condition. Keep the bearings greased and the tires properly inflated. 

In the world of logistics and material handling, the pallet truck is an essential tool. Whether it’s for moving pallets around a workshop or efficiently organising stock in your warehouse, choosing the right pallet truck is crucial to ensure productivity and safety in material handling operations. However, with the multitude of options available on the market, selecting the optimal pallet truck can be a real challenge. In this article, discover the different criteria to consider when choosing a quality professional pallet truck. With our advice, make informed decisions before buying and maximise the efficiency of your materials handling equipment.

Load capacity

The load capacity of a pallet truck is crucial to guarantee the efficiency and safety of your materials handling operations. Your choice should be adapted to the weight of the pallets you plan to transport. Depending on your needs, you’ll find a wide range of suitable products on our website, including hand pallet trucks that can support loads ranging from 750 kg to 3,000 kg. For lighter loads, we recommend turning to other types of equipment, such as a sack truck.

If you need to weigh loads while moving them, particularly to optimise your stock management, then opt for a weigh scale pallet truck.

Fork length

Like load capacity, the fork length of a pallet truck should be chosen based on the type of pallets and specific working spaces. An appropriate fork length allows you to manoeuvre efficiently and safely.

There are different fork lengths available:

• Short forks (800 mm) are particularly popular in the retail sector. They
  offer great manoeuvrability, making it easier to move between narrow store
  aisles.
• Standard forks (1,150 mm) are the most commonly used and offer a good
  balance between manoeuvrability and versatility.
• Long forks (1,800 mm or 2,000 mm) allow you to transport longer
  and bulkier loads.They are perfect for industries that frequently handle
  large volumes of materials.

Lift height

The lift height of a pallet truck is a crucial factor that influences not only the efficiency of operations but also the health and well-being of operators. A pallet truck adapted to the lift height can reduce physical effort and minimise the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workshop.

Standard pallet trucks generally lift pallets to a height of around 200 mm. This height is sufficient for most routine materials handling operations, such as moving pallets over short distances and loading or unloading trucks.

Wheel type

First, make the distinction between manual pallet trucks and electric pallet trucks: For the former, we’re talking about steering wheels, while for the latter, it’s stabiliser or drive wheels.

In any case, the choice of wheels for your pallet truck is crucial to ensure smooth and safe movements. Here are some elements to consider:

• Adaptation to the type of floor to maintain stability and manoeuvrability of the pallet truck;
• Wheel size, choose larger wheels to more easily navigate obstacles and ensure smoother movement;
• Wear resistance to guarantee consistent performance, thereby reducing maintenance costs and service interruptions.

Wheels are primarily available in two materials:

• Rubber wheels,which are quiet and offer excellent grip on industrial and slippery floors;
• Polyurethane wheels, which don’t leave marks on the floor and are therefore ideal for use in stores or on sensitive and soft floors.

Another important element to protect the floor from the pallet truck and significantly reduce the rolling noise it produces is wheel tread, available in various coatings.

Environmental compatibility

When choosing a pallet truck, ensure compatibility with the environment in which it will be used. This not only guarantees operational efficiency but also the safety and durability of the equipment. For example, opt for:

• Stainless steel pallet trucks for environments with strict hygiene protocols (pharmaceutical or food industries) or for humid or corrosive environments (port areas or chemical industries);
• ATEX (Explosive Atmosphere) certified pallet trucks for use in ATEX zones;
• A steel pallet truck for an economical product suitable for routine indoor materials handling operations.

If you need to operate on rough terrain, surfaces with obstacles or slopes, check that the chosen pallet truck is suitable. A robust and well-designed pallet truck will be able to handle these challenges without compromising stability or safety.

Respecting workplace ergonomics when choosing your pallet truck

Respecting workplace ergonomics standards is essential to nsure the health and well-being of operators when using a pallet truck. To prevent MSDs and promote a safe and comfortable working environment, several accessories and options are available:

• Ergonomic handles to reduce hand and wrist fatigue when handling the pallet truck;
• Ergonomic tiller controls;
• A design that promotes operator visibility during movements;
• Intuitive adjustment controls allowing the operator to easily adjust the pallet truck settings according to the specific task needs.

By opting for an ergonomic pallet truck, you are investing in the health and comfort of your operators, while ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations in the workplace.

Using a pallet truck safely requires some safety precautions along with proper operator training.

Unlike some other materials handling equipment, operating a pallet truck does not require a forklift truck licence.

Anyone who has received adequate training in using this equipment is authorised to operate it safely.

To ensure safety when using a pallet truck, several elements are essential:

• Effective brakes to keep the pallet truck stationary when stopped;
• Impact protection;
• An anti-tilt system to ensure operator safety;
• A toe guard to protect the operator’s feet from potential injuries when manoeuvring the pallet truck;
• A safety valve to prevent overloading;
• An adjustable tiller in multiple positions to adapt the angle of the pallet truck, ensuring stable and secure materials handling;
• An audible or visual warning device to alert other workshop users and prevent potential accidents.