Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
meady  
#1 Posted : 03 October 2014 10:50:36(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
meady

Morning all

I'm just wondering what your views are regarding powered pallet trucks as apposed to manual pallet trucks.

Do you have any preferences and is there any advice on when to use powered pallet trucks or what task they are better for?

I am just curious really as I have been asked to review manual handling at work.

Thanks

Dave
kevkel  
#2 Posted : 03 October 2014 11:01:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
kevkel

Powered trucks are really just a steering job and are really useful if you have large, heavy, unweildy or loads that might gather momentum when moving. The flip side of course is the maintenance and servicing requirements.
SW  
#3 Posted : 03 October 2014 12:17:24(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SW

Ditto above - have experince of both. Can be costly to maintain and keep the water topped up on the battery!!!
grim72  
#4 Posted : 03 October 2014 12:54:10(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
grim72

There is some useful information on this blog about how much effort is needed to pull a pallet truck etc that might help you out with your decision?

http://goodtogosafety.bl...-hand-pallet-trucks.html

Safety Smurf  
#5 Posted : 03 October 2014 15:58:51(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

quote=SW]Ditto above - have experince of both. Can be costly to maintain and keep the water topped up on the battery!!!


valid point about the battery maintenance but alot of new ones coming out now have sealed batteries and built in chargers with a retractable lead and 13 amp plug
KD  
#6 Posted : 03 October 2014 16:20:33(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
kd

Depends what you're and how frequently you're moving it.

Powered is much better for heavy loads (that's kind of obvious) but also it the truck is being used for extended periods. Powered is also much quicker for most uses.

Maintenance isn't that costly as they are very reliable, some people will tell you they need Statutory Inspections as lifting equipment but they don't any more that a manual truck does, and keeping the batteries topped up isn't expensive even if you use mineral water (but please don't!). Training requirement is higher. After buying / leasing it training is probably the biggest cost.
meady  
#7 Posted : 06 October 2014 09:16:18(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
meady

Hi thanks for your comments.

We use the pump trucks about 20 times per man per week and the pallets can weigh anything up to 450kg so I think that we are within the guidelines.

I will bring the subject up when I see the logistics manager next.

Thank you for all your input
SW  
#8 Posted : 06 October 2014 10:11:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SW

Ah Thanks Safety Smurf - wasn't aware of that. We have several old types and the last battery was about £800 second hand!
Kim Hedges  
#9 Posted : 06 October 2014 14:56:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kim Hedges

http://www.itm-power.com...rials-handling-vehicles/

I have nothing to do with the companies, but I recommend you see the video at the bottom of the page.

Users browsing this topic
Guest (2)
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.