Do you need a pallet jack or a pallet stacker?

Do you need a pallet jack or a pallet stacker? Deciding which equipment you need is simply an exercise in determining your requirements. The functions of the two types of equipment are outlined below.

A pallet lift is simply used to lift a pallet a few inches off the floor, move it to another location, and then place it back on the floor. The maximum lift height of a pallet truck is usually about 6″ to 8″.

Pallet stackers are also designed to lift and move pallets from one station to another. Stacker cranes differ from pallet trucks in that they have maximum lifting heights ranging from 50 inches to 150 inches, and in some cases even higher. This high lifting capacity allows stacker cranes to place pallets on high racks for storage or to load them from the ground onto truck trailers without a loading dock. Lifting heavy pallets high creates the risk of tipping over, which requires the pallet stacker to have outriggers (legs with wheels on the end that extend outward in front of the machine) for stability or a weight balancing device at the rear of the machine to prevent tipping.

For high workflow situations, electric pallet jacks or electric pallet stackers are really worth the extra cost. These units are usually powered by 6V or 12V lead or Lithium batteries and come with an on-board charger. Some models are manually propelled with powered lift, while full-featured models have both powered drive and powered lift capabilities. Electric pallet stackers are essential for placing pallets on high shelves.