Let’s begin with a basic understanding of the pallet jack. Keep in mind each manufacturer’s vehicle may be slightly different than the ones we use in our demonstration, but the basic principles apply to most equipment. The vehicle itself is composed of directional and speed control levers. Horn. Lift. And lower. And high speed controls. Bar support handle. Battery. Pallet forks for the load. Load wheels and tires. A skid runner. Rider platform. Drive unit cover, and steering, and brake control handles. You’ll become familiar with all the controls and levers through on-the-job training by your supervisor, and as you gain experience with this equipment. It’s important to know and understand the operating rules, maintenance procedures, and all the safety rules used with this type of equipment. Take a look at the data plate on your specific vehicle. It will provide some specific data about the vehicle such as serial number, make, model, but more importantly it will provide the maximum safe load capacity of the vehicle. Never exceed the safe load capacity at any time.

Let’s briefly look at some basic operating rules for this type of equipment.

1) Know your equipment. Do not operate your equipment until you’ve been trained and authorized by your company. Read all warnings and instructions in the operator’s manual, the information on the vehicle’s data plate, and other areas. If your vehicle is found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe to operate the vehicle should be taken out of services until it has been restored to safe operating condition.

2) No riders. Passengers are not allowed to ride on this type of equipment. Be sure you never permit anyone to stand in the area where the load is being positioned or deposited as food injuries can easily occur.

3) Make sure your loads are stable, and are not stacked too high. Lose or unstable loads can fall and cause serious injury. Use special care when handling long, high, or wide loads to avoid losing the load, striking bystanders, or tipping the vehicle. Carry the load flush against the load stock.

4) Center your load. Before lifting be sure your loads are centered, and forks are completely under the load. Of course never over load the vehicle. Do not hit a bump or anything with the ends of your forks as this can damage your vehicle. Never lift a load with only one fork engaged.

5) Keep the load low to the floor. Travel with the load or lifting mechanism load to keep the center of gravity low. But make sure the load is lifted high enough to ensure adequate floor clearance. Never lift or lower the load while the vehicle is in motion.

6) Avoid sudden movement. Start. Stop. Travel. Steer. And brake smoothly. Use special care when traveling without the load as the risk of overturning this vehicle is greater when it is unloaded.

7) Exercise caution on ramps and inclines. Travel slowly and do not angle or turn on ramps. Always travel with the load downhill when using pallet jacks. Be extremely cautious when operating the vehicle near the edge of a loading dock or ramp.

8) Secure bridgeplates. Drive carefully and slowly across dockboards and bridgeplates. Never exceed these dockboards’ or bridgeplates’ rated capacity and make sure they are secure before driving on these plates.

9) Do not operate this equipment with greasy hands or shoes. It’s too easy to slip off the controls and create an unsafe condition

10) Come to a complete stop before changing directions