Pallet Jacks vs. Forklifts: Which One Suits Your Business?

If your staff members are moving tons of items frequently, it may be time to forget about manual labor. Scaling businesses must invest in a more efficient way of transporting goods.

That’s where you’d want to specifically think of getting pallet jacks or forklifts. We know that these are two beautiful must-have machines. But what if your budget allows you to pick only one?

Deciding between pallet jacks or forklifts isn’t that hard. You only need to think of a few things—what you’re moving, how often, and where.

What are Pallet Jacks?

Pallet jacks are like the go-karts of the warehouse world. They come in manual and electric types. Here are the reasons pallet jacks are cool:

• They are budget-friendly. If you just started a small warehouse with a limited budget, you’ll find a friend in a pallet jack.
• Pallet jacks are user-friendly. You can operate it alone in less than an hour of training.
• A pallet jack is ideal for use in tight spaces because of its compact design.
• Pallet jacks are low maintenance. As their structure is relatively simple, they have fewer moving parts.

Here are the cons of choosing pallet jacks:

• Most pallet jacks have a max capacity of 5,000 lbs. If you work around heavier loads, you’ll need a forklift.
• If you’re constantly moving pallets with non-electric variants, pushing and pulling all day gets old fast.
• Pallet jacks only raise loads a few inches off the ground, so they would be useless in an environment that needs stacking high.

Why Pallet Jacks?

Pallet jacks are perfect for small establishments that only need to move pallets over short distances. If you’re not dealing with heavy-duty loads, this is all you need.

Forklifts for Bigger Tasks

Forklifts are the big dogs of material handling. As hinted above, it would be an easy decision if you’re operating around massive loads.

Forklifts come in a bunch of different styles. They can be propane-powered or electric. Unlike pallet jacks, forklifts do more than just move loads. They also lift high, stack, and handle heavy materials with ease.

Some of the pros of having a forklift are the following:

• Forklifts can hold and move around loads of more than 10,000 lbs. Some modern forklifts in the market can lift 16T or higher.
• Need to stack pallets on racks? A forklift makes it easy.
• With the right tires, forklifts handle both warehouse floors and rough outdoor terrain.
• Forklifts save more time than pallet jacks as they move faster and more efficiently.

The downside of choosing a forklift:

• Forklifts are a big investment. Even used ones aren’t cheap.
• Operators need proper certification to drive them.
• They are high-maintenance. Fuel, batteries, and regular upkeep add to ongoing costs.
• With their larger build, forklifts aren’t ideal in limited spaces.

Why Choose Forklifts?

Forklifts are an easy pick for larger warehouses that have frequent interactions with heavy pallets. If speed and lifting power matter, you need a new forklift.

Pallet Jacks or Forklifts? Questions That Will Help You Decide.

Q: Light loads?

A: Go with a pallet jack.

Q: Heavy ones?

A: If you need help with 3 tons or higher, you need a forklift. Always check the capacity of the machine before buying it.

Q: How high do you need to lift?

A: If you’re just moving pallets around, a jack works fine. If stacking is involved, a forklift is better.

Q: What’s your budget?

A: For startups, a pallet jack is an easy win. If your business is growing quickly, invest in a forklift.

Q: How big is your place?

A: Tight spaces favor pallet jacks. Meanwhile, it is forklifts all the way for open areas and large warehouses.