Powered pallet jacks, also known as electric pallet trucks, walkies, single or double pallet jacks, or power jack, are motorized to allow lifting and moving of heavier and stacked pallets. Some contain a platform for the user to stand while moving pallets. The powered pallet jack is generally moved by a throttle on the handle to move forward or in reverse and steered by swinging the handle in the intended direction. Some contain a type of dead man's switch rather than a brake to stop the machine should the user need to stop quickly or leave the machine while it is in use. Others use a system known as ``plugging`` where in the driver turns the throttle from forward to reverse (or vice-versa) to slow and stop the machine, as the dead man's switch is used in emergencies only.
Operational limitations
- Reversible pallets cannot be used.
- Double-faced nonreversible pallets cannot have deckboards where the front wheels extend to the floor.
- Enables only two-way entry into a four-way notched-stringer pallet, because the forks cannot be inserted into the notches.
Typical Dimensions
The North American industry seems to have 'standardized' pallet jacks in several ways:
- Width of each of two Forks: 7"
- Fork Width, i.e. The dimension between the outer edges of the forks: Available as 20undefinedfrac14;" and 27"
- Fork Length: Available as 36", 42", 48"* Lowered Height: 2.9"
- Raised Height: At least 7.5", but some will raise higher
