The humble pallet truck is an essential tool found in almost all warehouses and factories, some of them moving hundreds of pallets per day. This facilitates the handling of warehouse stock and makes loading and unloading transport vehicles very quick and easy.
Since there are many different standard pallet sizes, such as Euro and UK pallets, it is important to ensure that your workplace uses suitable pallet trucks.
Quick Answer:
By following this guide to making sure your pallet truck width and size is the best fit for your needs, you can guarantee to see an increase in productivity and efficiency within your workforce; all whilst protecting the health and safety of your employees and reducing the risk of back strain or other physical injuries.
Below is a list of key points to consider when choosing the correct pallet truck.
The most important point to acknowledge to find the best pallet truck for your business is the width. There are three main categories to choose from:
UK (also known as Blue, GKN or CHEP) pallets
These are the most widely used pallets in the UK and are 1000mm x 1200mm. They are best suited for use with 680mm wide pallet trucks.
Euro Pallets – These are very common for any businesses that trade with or import goods from the EU. Their standard pallet size is 800mm x 1200 mm and is perfect for use with 540mm wide pallet trucks.
Printers pallets – Much smaller than standard pallets, they are most commonly used within the printing industry, making 450mm wide pallet trucks the best suited for use.
Another important point to remember when deciding which pallet truck is right for you is the length of the forks.
Both UK and Euro pallets suit a standard fork length of 1150mm, and at First Mats, we have a variety of options ranging from 1000mm forks for shorter pallets to 2000mm forks which can be used to carry two pallets at once, allowing the efficient movement of goods.
Typically, all pallet trucks are fitted with nylon wheels as standard as they are the most hard-wearing and durable option. Offering low resistance on smooth floors, they make heavy loads easier to move and do not leave skid marks on the floor.
Some pallet trucks, however, are fitted with polyurethane wheels. These are well suited to floors with sawdust or grit as the additional friction will not damage the wheel; whilst also being resistant to oils and grease and running smoothly and quietly on uneven floors.
The final point in choosing the right pallet truck is its maximum load capacity. Most standard pallet trucks have a weight capacity of 1500-2000kg. However, heavy-duty options are available for environments where hefty loads are constantly handled and have a maximum load of 3000kg.
We hope you have found this brief guide on pallet truck width and sizes to be helpful. At First Mats, we offer a range of pallet trucks which are all carefully selected for their quality and the benefits they can offer to your business.
Richard O'Connor is a Director at First Mats. He has deep knowledge in areas like Manufacturing, Warehousing, Marine, and Health & Safety. Richard's insights have been featured in well-known publications such as Bloomberg Business, The Sun, and Reader's Digest. His blend of industry expertise and passion for sharing makes him a sought-after voice in his fields.
