Manual vs Electric Pallet Trucks: What’s Right for You?

The industry of transporting material(s) within the industrial and warehouse sector is rigid one and fast moving; it incorporates new ideas with reference to the enhanced technological features and functions of time and motion. Something inherent to this industry is the pallet truck – or pallet jack, if you will. There are two main types of pallet trucks available today: manual and electric.

The choice of course is of course twofold, depending on whether there are strengths and weaknesses of each one and several factors, including the size of the operation, the type of cargo, the conditions in which it operates.

This article will try to explore the various features of these two types of pallet trucks and guide you on which among them should be used by your organization.

Table of Contents

Manual Pallet Trucks

Manual pallet trucks also referred to as hand pallet trucks are controlled by a man’s body weight. These trucks consist of rigid frames which has a handle on the upper part while at the other part there is a hydraulic pump. The bottom of the box supports a hydraulic ram and a handle is there through which the operator can push or pull to make the hydraulic ram to extend or retract which makes the pallet lift or lower its load.

Benefits of Manual Pallet Trucks

Cost-effective: Manual pallet jacks are cheaper that is why the small to medium and organizations that are working with a low budget will prefer to purchase it.
Easy to operate: Numerical pallet trucks are simple to operate and do not call for much practice, an element of great benefit to firms with seasonal employees.
Versatile: The manual pallet trucks allow for operation both indoors and outdoors hence making them suitable for most environments.
Low maintenance: Manual pallet trucks do not have most of the electrical components that are usually the source of worry in most cases and as such the maintenance for manual pallet trucks is often lower than that of their electric fellow.
Environmentally friendly: Their operation has zero power consumption hence causing no emissions and therefore making them ‘green’ vehicles.

Disadvantages of Manual Pallet Trucks

Lifting capacity: Most of the time, manual pallet trucks are less powerful than their electric counterparts in terms of load capacity which stands between 2000 and 3000 kg.
Speed: Consequently, the human operator becomes a bottleneck in terms of velocity that may result in longer transportation time especially within large sheds.
Operator fatigue: In day-to-day usage prolonged manual pallet truck usage tires the operator due to the manual effort, the rate of operation decreases and chances of accidents rise in the long run.
Limited range: Because of compartmental need to manually operate the vehicle, its range of travel is relatively short, and in one shift, it moves on average, 1 to 2km.

Electric Pallet Trucks

The electric pallet trucks are exactly what their name implies, pallet trucks that are powered by an electric motor to pick up, lower, and transport pallets. These trucks are equipped with on board batteries that require regular charging to avoid becoming never full. These are machines through which the operator handles certificates, and handles other controls such as buttons, levers or joystick for maneuvering the truck and for the control of the load.

The Benefits of the Electric Pallet Truck

Increased capacity: Electric pallet trucks are much more flexible in terms of lifting capability which in ranges between 3000 to 5000 kgs.
Greater speed: Another advantage, regarding manual trucks, is the ability of electric motor to move loads with higher speeds resulting in fewer transit times and total throughput times.
Reduced operator fatigue: That means they are not fatigued and injured hence making it easier for the operators to move loads using the help of the electric motor.
Enhanced maneuverability: Tiller on electric pallet trucks provides great feel and control in any tight corner and in spaces with very restricted aisles.
Improved efficiency: Some of the special characteristics of an electric pallet truck are regenerative brakes, which is an efficiency enhancing factor.

Disadvantages of Electric Pallet Trucks

Initial Cost: Electric pallet trucks were seen to be much more expensive than their counterparts that are manually operated. The initial outlay can often be higher, which can be an issue for small business or companies that are operating with small budgets.
Maintenance: As compared to the conventional ones, these trucks have far more delicate systems and they need constant repair. This calls for more cash to be spent on maintenance and repairs and probably more time lost due to service.
Battery Management: A key drawback of utilizing electric pallet trucks is that the batteries are typically a problem area. Batteries were required to be recharged always and if they are not maintained correctly this would result in low battery durability and therefore high charging costs.
Weight: In most cases, electric pallet trucks are heavier than their counterparts that require the driver’s muscle power. They also add this additional weight that makes them really tough to handle especially in areas where the terrain is rough or there are corners.

Manual vs Electric Pallet Trucks: What’s the Difference?

The fundamental contrast between the manual and electric pallet trucks lies about the type of power that is behind the movements of the pallet truck as well as the way that such pallet trucks move through their operations. Let’s take a closer look at the various factors that differentiate these two types of pallet trucks:

Power

Unlike the power pallet trucks, these types of pallet trucks are operated by pulling and pushing by human force. The operator uses them to transport pallets by pulling them or using sheer muscle force to push them using the truck. On the other hand, the electric pallet trucks are operated on rechargeable batteries, which enable them to easily lift and move heavy loads. This imbalance of power goes a long way in determining the capabilities of the truck particularly in handling either large or heavy loads.

Maneuverability

It said the manual pallet jack is more maneuverable because they are lighter in weight and can easily move through tight aisles. Nevertheless, electric pallet trucks also have power steered and are easier to handle than counterbalanced trucks especially when cornering or operating on an inclined plane. Based on the arrangement of your warehouse and the corridors and aisles you have to cover; this factor could be deciding.

Load Capacity

When it gets to this aspect, electric pallet trucks seem to perform best compared to all the other types of pallet jacks. These trucks can lift and transport loads much heavier compared to manual pallet trucks. But current models of manual pallet trucks with refined design and advanced grip surfaces are also able to handle massive loads. In the end, the required load capacity is a determining factor on the type of truck suitable for the operations.

Cost

Installation of manual pallet trucks is often cheaper than electric pallet trucks and so is their use and maintenance. This is mainly attributed to the lack of batteries, chargers and other intricate electrical systems. In this case, we have electric pallet trucks, of which they can be cheaper in the long run depending on your load handling frequency. Bear in mind the overall expenditure of owning the software before you make your decision.

Certification

Pallet trucks are relatively easy to operate and do not need much certification, making them suitable for use in small warehouses, or firms with low training of employees. The manual pallet trucks do not call for any certification or training as opposed to the electric pallet trucks as they are sophisticated with many functions and of course have risks attached to their operations. The decision of which type of pallet trucks to use or not depends on the level of skill of your operators.

Maintenance

While electric pallet trucks are highly efficient the propulsion system, batteries, and other electrical elements demand more attention than the manual pallet jacks. They want manual pallet trucks because they do not have much in the way of mechanical parts to go wrong and therefore little in the way of maintenance to pay out on. This may be a big plus if you do not have a maintenance crew on the compound or have limited resources for maintaining the facility.

Longevity

Maintenance cost of electric pallet trucks is low since these trucks have long life cycle due to their heavy build and electrical parts are relatively cheap to replace. This doesn’t mean that manual pallet trucks are not very efficient at operating pallets, though, they may need replacement earlier if what you are assigning them to do isn’t light work. The usage frequency and environmental conditions of each type of truck will determine how long each of those types would last.

Safety

Like all types of equipment used to move materials, both manual and electric pallet trucks are built with special focus on safety. Despite this, electric pallet trucks have other extra controls including overloading and emergency brakes making it difficult to have accidents. Manual pallet trucks are slightly less advanced than their powered counterparts but these also should not pose any risks if used and operated correctly when the operators have been trained to do so and strictly following necessary safety measures.

Manual Pallet Trucks vs Electric Pallet Trucks: Which is the Best?

Now that we have explored the advantages and disadvantages of both manual and electric pallet trucks, we can summarize the key factors to consider when deciding which option is best for your operation:

Budget: However, in a situation where cost is a big factor, a manual pallet truck would actually be more suitable. Nonetheless, if you are willing to invest in a pallet jack with some added features, you may realize that an electric pallet truck has the highest ROI in the long haul depending on the number of material and energy turnovers.
Work Environment: The electric pallet jack is well suited for where the work activity takes place in large warehouses and where speedy activity is desirable. However, where there is low traffic or in a small working environment, a manual may suffice.
Physical Considerations: Do your employees find it difficult to operate a manual pallet truck? Perhaps moving to an electric one will prevent some of the physical strain and accidents on the job.
Environmental Impact: Electric pallet trucks on the other hand are more environmentally friendly vehicles that any firm seeking to reduce their impact on the environment should consider using.
Productivity: Conversely, where achieving more output is of the essence, the fact that electric pallet trucks work at a faster speed may prove to be more advantageous than using manual ones.

Conclusion

While manual pallet truck and electric pallet truck both are useful in different ways since the needs of various operations may differ the choice between the two is quite simple.

Manual pallet trucks may be the most suitable where you have limited capital to invest, limited floor space or manageable low lifting ability. However, if your operation calls for increased lifting capacities, improved transportation means and space constraints, an electric pallet truck will be most suitable.

The right pallet truck for your business can be determined by evaluating your workspace, your budget and the productivity needs of your business space.