What should guide you when choosing the right pallet truck for your company? Is price the absolutely most important factor? In order to select the best unit for your business needs, it’s worth getting familiar with the differences between manual and electric pallet trucks.

Basic Differences in Pallet Truck Construction

Distinguishing a manual pallet truck from its electric counterpart is not a major challenge. The construction differences between these two devices are immediately apparent due to their completely different type of construction, particularly the type of drive system.

A manual pallet truck consists primarily of:

  • Tiller
  • Tiller head
  • Pump
  • Forks
  • Steering wheels
  • Guide rollers

How a Pallet Truck Works

The key issue with pallet trucks is the type of drive system. A manual pallet truck, as the name suggests, is powered solely by human muscle power. Electric pallet trucks are equipped with a motor, battery, and other components belonging to the control system. Electric pallet trucks are therefore much more complex devices than manual trucks.

Electric or Manual Pallet Truck – Which is Better

Both types find their wide application. Despite both being used to transport various goods, they have somewhat different purposes. In theory, manual pallet trucks could be used everywhere their electric counterparts dominate. A company could certainly save a considerable amount with such an approach. Would such a strategy pay off in the final analysis? The answer to this question turns out to be simple – no. Why?

Manual pallet trucks work best in small area operations. Since the worker is much more burdened when using a manual pallet truck, this obviously affects the efficiency of logistics processes. Transporting goods over long distances with a manual pallet truck would be tiring for the worker and inefficient for the entire workplace.

When is it Worth Buying Manual Pallet Trucks?

This type of truck finds its ideal application in store backrooms, garden and construction warehouses, or smaller wholesale facilities.

Electric pallet trucks work excellently in large areas. The speed of movement for this type of truck is approximately 10 km/h. In the case of manual counterparts, the truck’s speed depends on the operator’s fitness and strength.

Pallet Trucks – Price Differences

An undeniable advantage of manual pallet trucks is their price. Compared to electric pallet trucks, the cost of purchasing several or a dozen manual trucks for a company will be much lower.

The higher price of electric pallet trucks obviously results from the technology used, components, and higher production costs.

It should be remembered that motors used in electric pallet trucks significantly increase work efficiency and reduce the burden on company employees.

The final choice of the appropriate pallet truck should be preceded by consultation with a qualified FLT expert.