Pallet jacks may not seem like the most exciting equipment in the world, but making sure you have the right one for your business can be an important and game changing decision. Selecting the right pallet jack can make all the difference when running an efficient and effective warehouse. French author Andre Maurois once said, Business is a combination of war and sport. Just like in any war or sport you want to make sure you enter with the right equipment. Running your warehouse is no different. In an effective warehouse the pallet jack is just as an important piece of equipment as a battleship is to a Navy or a bat is to a baseball player.
pallet jackNow for the uninitiated, we have to answer the simple question of what is a pallet jack?. Very simply a pallet jack is a piece of equipment that is used to move pallets from one place to another. These units come in many different varieties ranging from pneumatic lifts to manual lifts and even electric lifts. There are also multi functional units that are used in warehouses that have a variety of pallet sizes. Which one is right for you? How do you choose? You can start by answering a few simple questions.
Manual, Electrical, or pneumatic?
What kind of work are you going to be performing? How big is your warehouse? These are all factors in selecting the right type of pallet jack. A manual pallet jack is great for smaller environments where the loads are not as heavy and the distances in which those loads are carried are smaller. If you are in a box store environment where you are moving pallets from the stock room to the floor you may want to go with an electric pallet jack. It is perfect for those stock clerks who are going to have to walk longer distances and need to have more stock on the floor to work more efficiently.This can cut down on the trips back and forth to the stock room and lessen the chance for employee injuries. For those larger warehouses and shipping terminals that require a constant use of a pallet jack, non-electric pneumatic units may be a better option.
What is your working environment?
Another very important factor is choosing the right piece of equipment for the right environment. If you choose an electric pallet jack, which is sometimes referred to as a walkie you have many different options you will want to look for depending on your environment. If you are using it on a loading dock, you will want to make sure it has a spring-loaded caster that will provide better stability when going over the dock plate. There are also packages available for cold storage environments when your walkie is meant for freezer use. If you are going to use your walkie outdoors or in a food storage environment you will want to make sure that the under-carriage is stainless steel or nickel-plated to help it withstand the chemicals used to wash the equipment.
pallet jack in useIf you are in a warehouse that handles a multitude of pallet sizes, you may want to consider a multi functional pallet jack. These can include adjustable fork width trucks or low profile designs. This can assure that no matter what the job, your equipment is going to be able to respond to the use.
If you are in an environment that is handling heavier pallets of 1500 pounds or more, you may want to stay away from manual options and explore the more reliable electric options. Remember the key is to maximize the amount of work and efficiency. Having your employees using manual pallet jacks for heavy materials can slow down the day and prevent work from being done.
If your pallet jack is intended for outdoor use you will also want to make sure it is designed for the rough terrain of the outdoors. Being able to maneuver efficiently and with as little wear and tear on your equipment is very crucial to the success of your business.
What is the cost?
The cost of a pallet jack can range from around $300 for a simple manual pallet jack to about $6000 for a pneumatic pallet jack. Electric pallet jacks can start around $3000. While the cost may sound high, their long term benefits can save you in the long run.
Now that you have a little knowledge on what to look for in a pallet jack, it has come time to select the right one for your business. Are you operating the type of business that is going to move heavy pallets through a large warehouse? Are you operating a box store that requires your employees to move stock from stockroom to the sales floor? Maybe you are operating a warehouse that is used for storing frozen food.
Whatever your business, you need to choose the right equipment. Choosing the pneumatic pallet jack in your busy warehouse or shipping dock will maximize the amount of work accomplished in a day and could prove to be very valuable in the companys overhead. Providing your employees with an electric pallet jack to move more stock to your sales floor will also maximize the amount of work done as well as potential profits for the company. Having a pallet jack with the stainless steel under-carriage will prove to be an asset when you have to clean it with the chemicals required when you are working in a food storage environment.
pallet rackYou are your companys General. You are their coach. All good coaches lead their teams into battle with the right equipment. The coach makes sure the football team has pads, helmets, cleats, and a playbook. The General makes sure that each troop has the proper tools for combat when the time comes. Coaches and Generals know their equipment, they know their teams needs, and they see to it that those needs are met. Now it is your turn. Take the time to know your business and your employees needs and make the right choice in a pallet jack for your team.
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