Pallet jack
A pallet jack is a basic form of forklift which is used mainly to move pallets around a warehouse. It is also referred to as a pallet truck, jigger or pump truck.
Pallet jacks consist of wheels, forks and hydraulic jack. The jack is steered using a lever that also acts as the pump handle for raising the jack. The forks are lowered by releasing the hydraulic fluid, controlled by a small handle on the lever.
As the hydraulic jack is raised, linkages force the wheels down, raising the forks vertically above the front wheels. This allows the load to be lifted off the floor to enable easy movement.
The fork lengths generally match standard pallet sizes, and jacks are available that can handle different terrain and wide loads. In order to avoid overloading, some jacks are fitted with a scale to monitor loads.
Electric pallet jacks lift the pallets and move without manual effort, and may include a small platform for the operator.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Which room is the most fun to design? Find out the 'Grand Designs' presenter's unusual choice in our interview.
Full suite of speakers are announced for this year's BSRIA Briefing event.
Book your place for the Architectural Technology Awards 2018.
There are many ways of classifying types of building. Have a look at our range of building articles.
BSRIA have launched the 'major update' of the go-to design framework guide for building services.
How to get results with building life cycle assessment.
Government publishes a prospectus inviting proposals for new 'garden communities'.
The Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa collapses during rainstorm while undergoing maintenance works.
'Developed design' is a phrase coined by the RIBA for their 2013 Plan of Work. But what does it actually mean?
New green paper published aiming to rebalance the relationship between landlords and residents and tackle stigma.
RIBA calls for a comprehensive ban on combustible materials.