How to Safely Operate a Pallet Truck

Pallet trucks, also called pallet jacks or hand trucks, are essential in many workplaces. However, in order to use one of these machines effectively, it’s important that anyone operating it understands how to safely use it. Not only does safe operation contribute to productivity, it also prevents unwanted accidents.

Anatomy of a Pallet Truck

In order to safely operate a hand pallet truck, it’s important to know the different parts.

Handle: primary point of contact

Control lever: found on the handle, locks and releases the hydraulics of the jack

Hydraulic pump: how the forks are lifted and lowered

Steer wheels: set of wheels that offer steering and control

Forks: elongated prongs able to hold the weight of a pallet

Load wheels: wheel found at the end of each fork

How to Move Materials with a Pallet Truck

It might look easy to use a pallet jack, but it takes practice to operate one safely and skillfully. To start with, move the hand truck back and forth to get a feel for how it moves, but keep in mind it will move differently after adding weight. 

When you’re ready to move materials, you will need to release the forks all the way to the ground in order to load the pallet. Pump the handle with the control lever in the correct position to raise the forks. You should need no more than a few inches of clearance between the floor and the forks when you are ready to move the pallet truck. 

Safety 

To safely operate the pallet truck, follow these precautions:

Avoid moving loads up or down ramps

Center the forks evenly under the load to maintain balance

Don’t overload the forks

Use both forks to carry the load

Pull, don’t push the pallet truck

Never leave a pallet truck out in the open; park it within a pallet or with the forks facing a wall, with the forks resting on the floor

You should always have a proper training or demonstration before operating a pallet truck. They are useful tools and might seem basic, but if not used properly, it can result in serious damage or injury. Our team at KMC Forklift, located in Bryan, TX, would love to help you with your forklift and pallet truck needs. We proudly serve the Caldwell, College Station, and Hearne areas.