A Practical Introduction to Pallet Carrying Equipment and Selection of the Most Suitable Pallet Types

One key factor in increasing efficiency in warehouses and distribution centers is the utilization of plastic pallets due to their high durability, recyclability, and resistance to moisture, resulting in their growing adoption in the logistics industry. In addition to the proper utilization of pallets, their transportation method is also important, so that the products are safely delivered to the customers in good condition.

The machinery and equipment used for handling pallets are introduced and briefly described as follows:

Forklift:

A forklift is an industrial machine for lifting and moving tall and heavy loads in factories, warehouses, buildings, and distribution centers. Forklift’s movable forks are used to lift and move pallets.

Various models of forklifts, such as gasoline, diesel, and electric, can offer significant efficiency in diverse industrial applications.

Diesel Forklift:  They rely on diesel fuel and produce a lot of noise and smoke. Diesel forklifts, due to their high power, are mostly utilized in outdoor environments such as workshops, mines, and ports. Furthermore, they can carry heavy loads ranging from several hundred kilograms to several tons.

Electric Forklift: As the name suggests, an electric forklift relies on electricity to operate. Their energy is supplied using rechargeable batteries, which are commonly of Li-ion type. Electric forklifts produce minimal noise and pollution, making them a suitable option for clean and indoor environments such as food and pharmaceutical warehouses. Their main drawback is their dependence on regular charging, which may occasionally cause delays in work procedures. Additionally, they cannot be used under unstable weather conditions since they stop functioning if they get wet.

Gas Forklift (LPG fueled): This machine allows you to benefit from the advantages of both a diesel forklift and an electric forklift. Gas forklifts rely on Liquefied Petroleum Gas as fuel, providing higher power and faster refueling capability compared to electric forklifts and producing lower noise and pollution compared to diesel forklifts. Additionally, they can be used in both indoor and outdoor environments, albeit requiring proper ventilation in indoor environments.

Reach Truck:

A reach truck is similar to a forklift, but with the difference that its forks can be moved horizontally to move objects without requiring the truck to move itself. Their forks can be up to 10 meters high. This machine is suitable for environments with narrow aisles and tall shelving. The only precaution in operating reach trucks is that they must not be utilized on uneven surfaces.

Pallet Jack:

A pallet jack or manual forklift is the simplest and most inexpensive solution for moving loaded pallets. A pallet jack consists of two forks that are placed underneath the pallets to allow the operators to easily move them over short distances. Pallet jacks come in two types of manual and electric.

Manual Pallet Jack: It operates with muscle force and a hydraulic pump. The operator raises and lowers a handle to move forks up and down, lifting and moving pallets. A manual pallet jack must not be used on uneven surfaces, for long distances, or for heavy loads.

Electric Pallet Jack: They have an electric engine and a rechargeable battery. Their main advantage over manual ones is their capability to travel longer distances without tiring the operator.

Stacker:

A stacker has the advantages of both a forklift and a pallet jack, which enables the manual lifting of loads by raising its forks using hydraulic handles. This is the main difference between a stacker and a manual pallet jack, and it can even be used for shelving purposes.

Stackers are mostly used in small-scale warehouses, allowing the operators to move pallets over short distances.

Another advantage of stackers is the adjustability of their forks. Both the distance between the forks and their lengths can be adjusted, allowing them to be fit for various types of pallets.

Stackers come in three types depending on the customer’s requirements:

Manual Stacker: It is used to move pallets on even surfaces. Due to its load-bearing limitation, the forks of this type of stacker cannot be moved upward.

Semi-Electric Stacker: It is operated and controlled by an operator, and it can handle loads up to 1.5 tons.

Electric Stacker: It can handle loads up to 2 tons. Since an electric stacker is equipped with a control system, it does not require an operator to handle products.

Crane:

In addition to forklifts, pallet jacks, and stackers, sometimes cranes are used to move pallets. Cranes are utilized when the loads are too heavy or their ground transport is impractical. Cranes come in various types, which are introduced below:

Manual Crane: Also known as a chain crane, this type of crane is used in factories and warehouses and is generally employed for handling relatively heavy loads.

Electric Crane: Their capability to carry heavier loads makes electric cranes a more popular, more efficient option than manual ones.

Overhead Crane: This type of crane is more commonly used in indoor factories and warehouses. It involves a crane hanging from a railing attached to a facility’s ceiling, allowing objects to be easily moved throughout the facility.

As stated at the beginning of the article, safety in transportation is very important, and all equipment related to the transportation industry has the primary and most important goal of ensuring the safety and integrity of products. Therefore, in addition to selecting the right equipment, attention must also be paid to other important factors.

You can prevent any potential damage by knowing the proper pallet size and weight required for handling your product. Overly loading pallets and transportation equipment may lead to damaging the pallets, the transportation machines, the loaded product, and even other products in the facility.

If you need consultation regarding the selection of proper pallets, you can contact the Persian Sanat Company to receive the necessary information for making a better and more efficient choice.

In the end, a brief and practical table is presented below that helps you appropriately choose Persian Sanat pallets according to various transportation equipment and your requirements, facilitating your decision-making regarding the best pallet purchase.