For occasional moves on smooth, level floors, a hand pallet truck is usually enough; for frequent moves, consider electric; for rough site ground, choose a suitable all-terrain truck. For low pallets, weighing, long loads, wet areas or classified ATEX zones, choose a specialist model matched to the task. In every case, check the load weight, pallet dimensions and working conditions before selecting a truck.
WOLFF Onsite supplies a broad range of pallet trucks, from conventional hand and electric models to trucks designed for construction sites, low pallets, weighing tasks and classified hazardous areas. This guide explains what each type does and the questions to ask before choosing one.
Which pallet truck do I need?
Choose a pallet truck by matching its capacity and fork dimensions to your load, then checking the floor surface, travel distance and how often it will be used. A hand truck may suit occasional moves on smooth floors, an electric model may suit frequent handling, and specialist conditions may require a rough terrain, high-lift, low-profile, weighscale, stainless steel or ATEX truck.
Before comparing models, map the journey a loaded pallet will take. Where is it collected and where will it be set down? Is the surface smooth concrete throughout, or does the route cross a yard, threshold or unfinished site? Will the operator move a few pallets per week or repeat the same journey throughout a shift?
Then check the load itself: its maximum weight, the pallet's dimensions and its underside clearance. A truck can have sufficient rated capacity and still be the wrong fit if its forks cannot enter the pallet, its wheels cannot handle the ground or its fork length does not support the load properly.
The quick guide below is a starting point. The final choice should always be checked against the individual product specification and your working conditions.
| Your main requirement | Type to consider |
|---|---|
| Occasional pallet moves on smooth, level floors | Hand pallet truck |
| Frequent moves or longer indoor routes | Electric pallet truck |
| Pallets across rough, outdoor site ground | Eichinger all-terrain pallet truck |
| Raising a pallet to a more convenient working height | High-lift pallet truck |
| Pallets with limited entry clearance | Low-profile pallet truck |
| Weighing goods while moving them | Weighscale pallet truck |
| Longer or unusual palletised loads | Extra-long pallet truck |
| Wet or hygiene-sensitive settings | Stainless steel pallet truck |
| A classified area with an explosive atmosphere risk | ATEX hand pallet truck |
What is a hand pallet truck and when should I use one?
A hand pallet truck uses a manually operated hydraulic pump to raise a pallet just high enough to move it. It is a straightforward option for short, occasional journeys on a suitable level floor. Because there is no traction battery to charge, it can also be useful as a standby truck.
Hand pallet trucks are often called pump trucks, but models within the category differ. Capacity, fork width and length, wheel material, braking and lift mechanism can all affect suitability. A narrower fork arrangement may be useful for one pallet format, while another operation needs wider forks or a model built for heavier loads. Check the actual pallet opening and travel route before selecting from our hand pallet truck range.
The main limitation is operator effort. Repeatedly starting, stopping and manoeuvring heavy loads over long routes can make a manual truck an inefficient choice. If that describes your day-to-day operation, an electric model may be more appropriate.
When is an electric pallet truck worth it?
An electric pallet truck is worth considering when pallets are moved frequently, routes are longer or the effort of moving loads manually is slowing the operation. Powered travel reduces the effort needed to move suitable loads, but the truck must still match the floor, load and shift pattern. For occasional short moves on a level floor, a hand pallet truck may be sufficient.
Electric pallet trucks use powered assistance to move palletised loads. They are worth considering when pallets are handled frequently, travel distances are longer or the effort of moving loads manually is becoming a problem. WOLFF Onsite lists models with different capacities and battery arrangements, so the right specification depends on the shift pattern and application.
Think beyond the truck's headline capacity. How many pallets are moved per shift? Is there a suitable place and time to charge the battery? Does the truck need to be transported in a vehicle, manoeuvre in narrow spaces or work across thresholds? A compact electric unit might fit a delivery operation, while a different model may better suit regular warehouse movements.
Powered travel does not make a truck suitable for every surface. Check its permitted operating conditions, wheel choice and route before assuming it can replace an all-terrain truck outdoors.
Can a pallet truck be used on a construction site?
Yes, provided the pallet truck is suitable for the site surface and load. A standard hand pallet truck may suit a smooth, level finished floor; rough or unfinished ground generally requires a purpose-built all-terrain pallet truck. Always check the route and the model’s operating limits.
Standard pallet trucks are usually happiest on firm, smooth floors. Small load wheels can struggle on loose gravel, compacted earth, muddy ground and rough concrete. Where a pallet must travel across a construction site or unpaved yard, the ground becomes the deciding factor.
The Eichinger All Terrain Pallet Truck stocked by WOLFF Onsite is a manually operated hydraulic model with large pneumatic tyres and adjustable fork spacing. Its listed capacity is 1,500 kg, and its fork spacing can be adjusted from 220 to 600 mm. Those details make it a distinct option for moving suitable palletised loads over uneven outdoor surfaces.
Plan the whole route before choosing it. Rough terrain equipment still needs a safe path, appropriate pallet and stable load. Check the surface condition, slope, obstructions and the manufacturer's limits for the exact job rather than treating “all terrain” as permission to cross any ground.
What is a high-lift pallet truck used for?
A high-lift pallet truck raises a compatible pallet to a working height for tasks such as loading, unloading or picking goods. It helps position the load for access rather than simply lifting it clear of the floor for transport. Maximum lift height varies by model; WOLFF Onsite supplies manual and semi-electric options.
Consider where the truck will be used and what happens when the pallet is raised. Check its rated capacity, maximum lift height, pallet compatibility and operating instructions. A high-lift pallet truck serves a different purpose from a conventional low-lift truck; it should not be assumed to replace a stacker or forklift for placing loads into high-level storage.
What if my pallet truck forks won’t fit under the pallet?
If standard forks will not fit under your pallet, a low-profile pallet truck may be the right option. Measure the pallet’s entry clearance, then compare it with the truck’s lowered fork height, fork width and length. Check the pallet’s underside design too; lower forks alone do not guarantee a suitable fit.
The key question is compatibility. Measure the pallet entry opening and compare it with the truck's lowered fork height, fork dimensions and wheel arrangement. Also check that the pallet has a suitable underside for the forks and load wheels. “Low profile” addresses the entry problem; it does not automatically mean that the truck suits rough ground or every pallet design.
Can a pallet truck weigh a load?
Yes. A pallet truck with built-in scales can weigh a suitable load as part of handling. For dispatch, receiving or stock control, a weighscale pallet truck combines pallet movement with an onboard weighing function. It can reduce the need to transfer a load to a separate scale simply to obtain a weight reading.
Decide what the reading will be used for before selecting a model. An operational check, such as confirming an approximate load for internal handling, may have different requirements from a weight used for a formal transaction. Review the specific model's accuracy, display, calibration arrangements and suitability for the intended process. Its weighing feature should be assessed alongside the usual capacity, fork and floor requirements.
When do you need a stainless steel pallet truck?
Choose a stainless steel pallet truck when moisture, corrosion resistance or cleaning and hygiene requirements call for a suitable corrosion-resistant construction. Confirm that the particular model is compatible with the exposure and cleaning process. WOLFF Onsite offers stainless steel pallet trucks, including a 316 stainless steel model and a model described as galvanised semi-stainless.
Check the construction of the specific truck rather than assuming every model in this category has the same material throughout. The cleaning process, chemicals used, floor condition and expected exposure should inform the choice. Stainless steel is a material specification; on its own, it does not establish that a truck is approved for a hazardous area.
Which pallet truck is best for long loads?
An extra-long pallet truck can be the best option for a long palletised load when standard forks do not provide the support it needs. Match the fork length, rated capacity and permitted load distribution to the actual pallet and load. WOLFF Onsite’s extra-long pallet truck range includes a 2,000 kg model with a 1,500 mm fork option.
Match the forks to the pallet and load rather than simply choosing the longest available. Longer forks change the space needed for turning and positioning, and the load's weight distribution must remain within the truck's stated limits. Measure the full route as well as the load: doorways, aisles and unloading points can decide whether an extra-long truck is workable.
What is an ATEX pallet truck?
An ATEX pallet truck is a pallet truck designed for specified potentially explosive atmospheres, with features intended to reduce ignition risks such as sparks and static discharge. It is used where the work area’s hazardous classification requires suitable equipment. The exact truck’s marking must match the site classification and operating conditions.
If pallets need to be moved in an area classified for potentially explosive atmospheres, equipment selection requires particular care. A conventional pallet truck should not be assumed suitable simply because it is manually operated. Sparks from contact or friction and static build-up are relevant considerations.
WOLFF Onsite's ATEX hand pallet truck range currently lists two Pfaff-Silberblau models. The range is described as explosion protected, with non-sparking components and conductive wheels for zoned warehouse and process areas. Conductive wheels also rely on a suitable, clean floor to dissipate static effectively.
For an ATEX application, start with the site's hazardous-area classification and confirm the exact truck's marking and suitability with the responsible competent person and product documentation. Do not select equipment on the word “ATEX” alone: the applicable zone, substance and operating conditions all matter. This is also a useful distinction from our general stainless steel range; material choice and hazardous-area suitability are separate questions.
What should I check before buying a pallet truck?
Before buying a pallet truck, check five things: the load and pallet, the surface and route, the frequency and distance of moves, the handling task, and the working environment.
1. Load and pallet: What is the heaviest load, including its pallet? Record its dimensions, underside design and entry clearance. Check the truck's rated capacity and fork fit against the actual load.
2. Surface and route: Is every part of the journey smooth and level? Include yards, thresholds, slopes and changes in floor finish. Choose the wheels and truck type for the most demanding part of the route.
3. Frequency and distance: A manual truck may suit occasional short moves. Frequent or longer movements may point towards powered travel. Consider the physical effort involved as well as the purchase decision.
4. Handling task: Does the operator need to raise the pallet to a working height, weigh it, or handle a longer load? These requirements may lead to a specialist model even if a standard truck could lift the weight.
5. Working environment: Cleaning regimes, moisture and classified hazardous areas can change the specification completely. Check any specialist requirements before ordering, especially where ATEX equipment is needed.
Where can I buy a pallet truck?
You can buy hand, electric and specialist pallet trucks through WOLFF Onsite’s webshop. There is no single best pallet truck for every workplace. A hand truck may be exactly right for occasional moves on a level floor, while an electric model can make frequent indoor handling more practical. Construction sites may need an all-terrain design; low-clearance pallets, weighing tasks and classified areas each call for their own checks.
Explore WOLFF Onsite's material handling range or contact our team with the load weight, pallet size, route and working environment. We can help you narrow down the options and check the specification before you choose.