Pallet jacks are small tractors that pick up pallets and move them from one place to another in a warehouse or on a loading dock. They are relatively simple to drive if you have ever driven a car or a truck. The most complex part of operating a pallet jack is understanding how to use the lifter on the front of the jack.
Age Requirements
There are no legal age requirements to operate a pallet jack. Most companies have internal policies regarding operator age, however. In general, companies prefer that pallet jack operators be at least 16 years old. Some companies require an operator to be 18 years old because of insurance reasons. Pallet jacks are an important part of transporting merchandise. If the operator is clumsy or careless, the company could lose hundreds of dollars through damaged merchandise. Because so much money is at stake, many companies prefer that pallet jack operators be a little older.
Official Training
Each company that uses pallet jacks will have its own form of training for pallet jack operators. Some companies will let you learn on the job by working beside an experienced pallet jack operator until you understand how it’s done. Other companies will give you hands-on training opportunities before you begin to work with real merchandise. If the warehouse or loading dock is particularly difficult to navigate, you may be taught to drive the pallet jack in a more open area before you drive it in close quarters around the people and merchandise in the warehouse.
Driving Experience Helps
Another reason companies like to train pallet jack operators who are older is because most of the older employees will have experience driving a car or truck. There are some differences between driving a car and driving a pallet jack, but it is much easier to learn a pallet jack when you already understand how to drive a car. The basic operations of the pallet jack are exactly like driving a car. You will need to add to your existing knowledge a new understanding of the specific mechanism that the pallet jack is meant to use when transporting merchandise from one place to another.
Depending on which state you will be operating the pallet jack, you may need to get certification from a company who offers training and certification.
Used pallet jacks can be purchased online at http://www.randmh.com/pallet-trucks/ or http://www.eliftruck.com/
Purchasing a used pallet jack is a good way too save. You can find used pallet jacks at www.globalindustrial.com .
One could buy good pallet jacks at an automotive store. Also stores such as Home Depot and Lowes carry good pallet jacks for consumers. For big trucks, any auto department will have pallet jacks big enough to fold the truck.
Yes, there are indeed a surplus warehouses with affordable pallet jacks. It varies depending on your location.
There is a store online that ls strictly sells used pallet jacks, the website is www.americansurplus.com.
Manual pallet jacks don't require one. Pallet jacks with electric power (there are also diesel pallet jacks, but they're extremely rare) are licensed by going to a designated individual in your company and asking to be trained and tested, or to a community college that has a forklift certification course.
You can find excellent used pallet jacks here: www.got-rack.com They have a huge selection and good shipping rates.
No, unfortunately you cannot get Lift Rite pallet jacks at Home Depot. You can get more information on Lift Rite pallet jacks here: http://www.cylex.ca/company/international-jack---dock-service-ltd-12655601.html.
Pallet jacks can be used to lift and transport most things that are heavy and the correct size to fit onto it. It is essential that the operator has had the correct training to use a pallet jack to prevent accidents or injury.
A pallet jacks can make the most difficult moving job very simple because it does all of the heavy lifting for you. It also speeds up production and you can get more done with a pallet jack.
It is advisable to wear a protective hard-toed shoe and gloves when operating pallet jacks. These are very easy things to do to avoid an injury.