Pallet Jack

A pallet jack is a material handling tool used to lift, move, and position palletized freight within trailers, warehouses, loading docks, and delivery locations. In cold chain logistics, pallet jacks are one of the most frequently used pieces of equipment, enabling the efficient movement of temperature-sensitive products between cold storage areas, dock doors, and truck trailers.

Manual pallet jacks, also called hand trucks or pump trucks, use a hydraulic pump mechanism operated by the handle to lift a standard pallet 2 to 4 inches off the ground for transport. The operator pumps the handle to raise the pallet, then pushes or pulls the loaded jack to the desired location. Manual pallet jacks can handle loads up to 5,500 pounds and are standard equipment on most delivery trucks.

Powered Pallet Jacks

Electric pallet jacks, also known as powered pallet jacks or walkies, use a battery-powered motor for both lifting and driving. These are preferred in cold storage environments where operators must move heavy loads repeatedly throughout a shift. Electric jacks reduce physical strain on workers and increase productivity in high-volume operations. In freezer environments, batteries must be specially rated for low-temperature operation to maintain performance.

For refrigerated delivery drivers, carrying a pallet jack on the truck is essential for unloading at facilities without forklifts. The pallet jack allows the driver to move pallets from the nose of the trailer to the tail for unloading, and to position them on a liftgate or at a dock door. Proper pallet jack operation is a basic skill requirement for all cold chain delivery personnel.