Electric pallet trucks

The transport of heavy loads is considerably simplified with electric pallet trucks. Industrial trucks not only save energy and relieve strain on the back and joints, but also offer high flexibility in small spaces. Find the right pallet truck for your needs with our buying guide.

1. What are the main features of an electric pallet truck?

In the same way that hand pallet trucks are designed, the centre of gravity of electric pallet jacks is in the middle of the wheelbase. For this reason, industrial trucks do not need a counterweight, as is the case with front forklift trucks. Pallet trucks are also comparatively narrow, which is particularly advantageous when there is little space available and only a few turning options.

Depending on the model, the electric pallet lift trucks at Jungheinrich PROFISHOP are available with a drive via a DC or three-phase motor and are powered either by powerful lead-acid, maintenance-free lead-gel batteries or innovative lithium-ion batteries. Many electric pallet truck models – such as our efficient lithium-ion pallet trucks – have an integrated charger for charging the battery. In companies where lifting and transport work is carried out regularly, it also makes sense to purchase an exchangeable battery for the electric pallet truck—one battery is in operation, the other is charging. With the appropriate device, the batteries can be easily exchanged.

To ensure that you work safely with our electric industrial trucks, many models are equipped with various safety features:

• long, low-set towbar ensures safe distance between operator and vehicle
• a steel cover on the drive wheel prevents foot injuries
• collision safety button
• emergency stop button
• crawl speed button for safe manoeuvring of the vehicle with the tiller raised

2. How to find the right electric pallet truck for your needs

Electric pallet trucks are extremely versatile and they can be used as floor trucks in warehouses and sales rooms and, depending on the model, for loading and unloading trucks as well as for delivering goods to the front door. A benefit and function analysis will help you find the right type of pallet truck for your needs:

Place of Use

At Jungheinrich PROFISHOP you will find electric pallet jacks that meet different requirements for the place of use:

Place of use/Purpose	Details	Suitable electric pallet trucks
Dry indoor and outdoor areas	Indoor areas, e.g. in supermarkets, warehouses or sales areas Dry, level outdoor areas, e.g. in outdoor warehouses or delivery zones	All electric pallet truck models
Indoor areas with limited turning and manoeuvring possibilities	Small warehouse environments, e.g. narrow storage rooms, overseas containers, narrow corridors	Models with extra short forks
Transport and simultaneous weighing of goods	In shipping, warehousing or logistics, e.g. for determining the shipping weight	Models with scales
Picking up pallets crossways	In shipping, warehousing or logistics, e.g. where space is limited	Models with special fork widths
Picking up non-standard pallets	In sales areas, e.g. for picking up CHEP, display or quarter pallets	Models with special fork widths
Transport of sensitive or fragile goods	In warehouses, e.g. for transferring glassware or electronic components	Models with lowering valves for particularly sensitive lowering

Drive

The electric pump trucks in our store are available as semi- or fully electric models, where the lifting is done either via an electro-hydraulic (full electric models) or hand-hydraulic lift (semi-electric models):

• Semi-electric lift trucks use hydraulic cylinders to generate linear power, so you must implement several pump strokes with the tiller to lift heavy loads off the ground. However, the electric motor assists you again when the semi-electric hand pallet truck is moved from a standing position. E-lift trucks with this drive are optimal when longer transport distances must be covered in the warehouse.
• The fully electric version allows you to carry out the lifting work by pressing a button. The lift motor moves the forks up or down – without the use of muscle power. So, with these models, effort-saving and ergonomic moving, lifting and lowering is possible. E-lift trucks with fully electric drive are therefore ideal for longer distances and frequent lifting work (depending on the model).

The drive motors on semi- and fully electric pallet trucks are divided into two types:

Load Capacity

The maximum load that an electric pallet truck can transport plays an important role in the purchase decision. The average weight of the loads to be transported regularly, as well as expected peak loads, should be considered when selecting a truck type. You can tell whether the model is suitable for the loads associated with your business by the load capacity or rated load (for electric low-lift pallet trucks) — these ratings indicate the maximum load a truck may be operated with.

We offer electric pallet trucks with a load capacity or rated load of up to 2000kg. To prevent truck from becoming overloaded, many of our models feature overload protection measures.

Fork lengths and widths

Electrically powered pallet trucks can be used to pick up and transport palletised goods, wire mesh boxes and other loads that contain suitable entry pockets for forks. Choose an industrial truck with the appropriate fork lengths and fork widths depending on the types of loads that require transporting. You will find the following versions in our range:

Load	Example	Dimensions of the forks
Standard	Euro pallets Transport boxes	Standard fork length of 1150mm Standard fork width of 520-540mm
Special sizes - small	General cargo such as cartons or boxes Display pallets Half pallets Quarter pallets (CHEP pallets)	Short forks between 800 and 1000mm
Special sizes - large	Pick-up of several pallets at the same time Transverse pick-up of Euro pallets	Extra-wide fork carrying width of 670-685mm

Battery size and type

Regardless of whether they have semi- or fully electric equipment, our e-pallet trucks are powered by a rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery pack. The batteries and packs can be recharged at a 230 V socket via integrated electric pallet truck chargers. The following battery and pack types are available from us:

Intensity of Use

Depending on how often, how long and how intensively you want to use your electric pallet truck, it makes sense to purchase an industrial truck with a suitable performance range. Here, not only the installed battery type but also the maximum operating time is decisive for the purchase: This describes the time span over which a powered pallet truck can be used in one, two, or three-shift operation:

• One-shift operation: corresponds to a light intensity of use covering approx. 500 to 1,000 operating hours per year.
• Two-shift operation: corresponds to a medium operating intensity of approx. 1,000 to 1,700 operating hours per year.
• Three-shift operation: corresponds to an intensive intensity of use comprising more than 1,700 operating hours per year.

Tyres

To ensure that the wheels for your electric pallet truck match the planned transport tasks and surfaces in your company, you can select the castors and wheels for pallet trucks individually from us. In our range you will find suitable fork and swivel castors as well as replacement wheels for electric pallet trucks made of the following materials:

Roller material	Properties	Use
Polyurethane	Particularly flexible and resistant Quiet, low noise running Shock absorbing Low wear Highly resilient Long service life Low rolling resistance Non marking Temperature resistant from -20°C to +80°C Oil and grease resistant	For frequent use on hard and sensitive floors
Thermoplastic Polyurethane TPU	Leaves no contact discolouration Very smooth running Shock absorbing Low wear Highly resilient Long service life Low rolling resistance Temperature resistant from -20°C to +80°C Oil and grease resistant Resistant to many aggressive chemicals (alkalis and acids)	For rough and uneven floors
Nylon	Non chalking Resistant to acids and alkalis Low wear Hard and abrasion resistant Temperature resistant from -40°C to +90°C High running noise More susceptible to impact High surface pressure Low rolling resistance	For use in the food and chemical industry On smooth and even floors Only suitable to a limited extent on soft or pressure-sensitive floors (e.g. tiles)
Solid rubber	Good grip even on rough, uneven, damp and smooth floors Particularly hard-wearing Very smooth running High elasticity Not susceptible to impact Good load distribution Temperature resistant from -5°C to +80°C Higher running resistance Slightly chalking	For environments where smooth running is required, e.g. when loading goods at night For applications where special traction is required, e.g. on uneven floors, for outdoor use in damp conditions or for use on ramps

Passenger or ride-on model

Our electric pallet trucks are available as pedestrian or rider models as well as with optional pedestrian/rider operation. Depending on the average distance you need to cover in your warehouse or production areas, select a suitable model:

• Pedestrian operation: These electric pallet jacks are operated with a tiller, which means that the operator walks behind or next to the unit. These electric pallet trucks are equipped with a long, low-set tiller, which ensures that there is sufficient safety distance between the vehicle frame and the operator. Swivelling the tiller moves the drive wheel in the desired direction of travel. Pedestrian models are particularly ideal for use on shorter transport routes.
• Ride-on operation: In contrast, ride-on models allow you to ride on a permanently integrated driver's stand or driver's seat. This allows you to handle goods transport on long transport routes without fatigue. These models are equipped with a short tiller.
• Optional pedestrian or rider operation: On these pallet trucks with a short tiller, all steering and operating functions are performed either alongside or riding along, depending on the setting. For this purpose, the electrically powered pallet trucks have a foldable driver's platform. These models are only available from us on request.

3. Electric pallet lifting trucks make factory, warehouse and production work easier

At Jungheinrich PROFISHOP you can buy electric pallet trucks in various designs. In addition to durable models with semi- or fully electric equipment, you can also buy powerful premium devices for intensive continuous use from us.

Electric hand pallet truck

These lift truck models with semi- or fully electric equipment are solid entry-level models in pedestrian operation, which are only suitable for light-duty use over short distances indoors or, depending on the model, indoors and outdoors (if dry). In contrast to our all-electric premium units, these types of pallet lifters are less powerful and robust. This results in the following advantages and disadvantages this equipment type:

Advantages:

• Can be used without a forklift licence
• High handling speeds without operator fatigue
• Low maintenance
• Emission free

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for multi-shift operation or continuous use
• Not designed for stacking operation

These manoeuvrable electric hand pallet truck models are on a par with the lighter manual pallet trucks. However, due to the electric drive, you hardly have to exert any muscle power to manoeuvre the loaded industrial truck — you simply set the electric pallet truck in motion via the control electronics in the tiller and also brake in this way. Some models offered at Jungheinrich PROFISHOP even have an LC display. This means you can see all the important information such as travel speed and battery charge status at a glance.

Electric low-lift pallet truck

These powerful and robust electric pallet jacks with all-electric operation are available both as a variant for tiller-guided pedestrian operation and for pedestrian operation with side seat or driver's stand-on platform (on request). Depending on the model, these premium trucks are suitable for light indoor applications as well as for demanding indoor and outdoor applications and for mobile use when loaded within trucks.

Electric low-lift trucks always have a 5-point chassis to ensure the greatest possible driving and cornering stability. The drive wheel is located centrally under the towbar. The support rollers at the side of the drive wheel prevent the truck from rocking on uneven ground.

Compared to our electric hand pallet trucks, the all-electric low-lift trucks are more robust and generally more powerful. They also offer the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

• Can be used without a forklift licence (for passenger models from 6 km/h and with a permanently installed driving platform, a forklift licence is mandatory)
• High handling speeds without operator fatigue
• Depending on the model, they can also be loaded into trucks
• Low maintenance
• Emission-free

Disadvantages:

• Not designed for stacking operation
• Models with lead-acid battery require a charging station and regular refilling of the battery with demineralised water (wet cell battery)

The performance parameters of our electric low-lift trucks at a glance:

We can also provide you with two special versions of the electric low-lift truck on request via our customer service:

Heavy duty electric low-lift pallet truck

These special electric pallet trucks for heavy loads are the heavyweights among the electric low-lift trucks, as they already weigh more than 400kg. With these models you can easily transport loads of up to 3.5 tonnes. The powerful drive technology, combined with an efficient lithium-ion battery, enables high dynamics even over longer distances, and even fully loaded, you can manoeuvre these electric low-lift trucks smoothly.

Electric low-lift trucks in special sizes

With electric low-lift trucks in special sizes, loads with excess length, or load carriers that exceed the standard pallet dimensions of Euro pallets can be transported. With the extra-wide and long forks, these electric pallet trucks can even pick up loads crossways.

4. FAQ for electric pallet trucks