Choosing the right hand pallet truck for your operation

This article aims to provide some advice that will help you make the right decisions taking into account safety, productivity and lifetime cost.

Choosing the right pallet truck for the job

There are a number of key considerations when choosing a hand pallet truck, however, its principal function, size and weight of loads to be moved and any special requirements should be taken into account first. 

Pallet trucks come in a variety of specifications, to accommodate various pallet sizes and operating environments:

• Standard hand pallet truck

• Silent handling

• Assisted handling

• High lifting

• Weighing

• Specialised environments

• Specialised pallet handling

The Toyota range of BT Lifter hand pallet trucks have been a cost-effective, innovative and reliable material handling solution for over 60 years, suitable for handling loads in all types of applications, including low-noise operations, corrosive and semi-wet environments.

Consider the value 

With so much choice of pallet trucks on the market its often easy to fall into the trap of purchasing the cheapest option, however, it is also worth considering the cost and inconvenience of frequent replacement, expensive repairs and large service bills.

Therefore, the lifetime cost should also be taken into account to ensure you are choosing a unit which delivers a long working life with low maintenance costs. If you are an environmentally conscious business, ensuring you are purchasing robust and quality trucks is a must to avoid unnecessary waste by replacing trucks frequently. 

Toyota’s BT range of ergonomic pump trucks offer a 5 year guarantee on the pump unit and a 99 year functional guarantee on the fork frame. Proven to be the most durable on the market – tests have shown they last up to five times longer than competitor models.

Now more than ever it is important to consider the durability of your equipment and look out for unique features which will extend the unit’s operating life including a robust, welded tiller and chassis points to enhance unit strength. 

Employee health and safety

Ergonomics and manoeuvrability should also be a key consideration when choosing a hand pallet truck. For operators working long shifts, it is essential to make sure they are safe and comfortable and to avoid any injuries. With this in mind, it may be worth considering quick lift or assisted handling models which dramatically reduce the effort needed to move goods. Toyota’s BT Pro lifter reduces manual handling effort by up to 67% while the BT Quick lifter elevates the load in just two strokes reducing potential strains and fatigue.

Stay safe and legal

One of the main ways to protect employees and minimise downtime is by setting in place a regular maintenance plan which extends the life of your equipment. It is also important to conform to legal requirements (PUWER 98) which state that equipment should be regularly inspected for employee safety.

Toyota has a dedicated team of hand pallet truck specialists who can service all makes of hand pallet trucks keeping your fleet safe, operational and in performing well.

Financial flexibility

Another consideration may be whether to buy the pallet truck outright or enter into a rental and service agreement. Toyota’s Pallet Truck Plus offers hand pallet trucks to suit every type of application and operating environment, with added piece of mind that service, maintenance, and breakdown is included in your low monthly payment.

For more information on Toyota’s hand pallet truck solutions or to buy online visit https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/