The Pfaff-Silberblau Heavy Loads range covers hand pallet trucks from 3,000 kg to 5,000 kg for situations where a 2,500 kg standard truck is the wrong tool. The HU 30-115 TP handles general heavy-pallet work at 3 tonnes, while the 5-tonne HU 50-115 TP and long-fork HU 50-200 TP (2,000 mm forks) move industrial machinery and precast concrete sections. A reinforced chassis, larger steering rollers and steel-on-steel load rollers on the 5-tonne variants handle loads that would damage standard polyurethane rollers.
Key Features
- 3,000 to 5,000 kg capacity — bridges the gap between standard 2,500 kg pallet trucks and powered forklifts. The 3-tonne HU 30-115 TP retains polyurethane rollers and standard fork dimensions for use on warehouse floors; the 5-tonne variants use steel rollers and heavier construction for industrial applications.
- Reinforced steel chassis — the 5-tonne variants weigh 240 to 300 kg empty versus around 70 kg for a standard truck. The additional mass is in the chassis, fork section, and cross-bracing, giving the structural capacity to handle the doubled load.
- Steel-on-steel load rollers on 5-tonne models — polyurethane rollers cannot support 5,000 kg over time without compression damage and surface failure. Steel rollers are the correct choice for sustained heavy use; they require harder floors than PUR but offer essentially unlimited load life.
- Wider fork tines — the 5-tonne variants use 210 mm fork tines (versus the standard 160 mm) to distribute the increased load over more pallet contact area and reduce point-loading on the pallet boards.
- Increased lowered fork height — 90 mm or 105 mm on the 5-tonne variants reflects the heavier fork construction. Standard EN 13698 pallets accommodate this; check non-standard pallets for clearance.
- HU 30-115 TP retains rubber control handle — ergonomic grip identical to the standard PROLINE range. The 5-tonne models use a heavier-duty handle assembly proportionate to the load.
- HU 50-200 TP with 2,000 mm forks — the specialist model for long heavy loads. Machinery skids, precast concrete sections, generator sets on pallets, and large industrial equipment that exceeds standard pallet dimensions.
Technical Specifications
| Model |
Capacity |
Fork Length |
Tyres |
Weight |
Fork Width |
| HU 30-115 TP (N21230415) |
3,000 kg |
1,150 mm |
PUR/PUR |
69 kg |
160 mm |
| HU 50-115 TP (034527058) |
5,000 kg |
1,150 mm |
Steel/Steel |
240 kg |
210 mm |
| HU 50-200 TP (034527056) |
5,000 kg |
2,000 mm |
Steel/Steel |
300 kg |
210 mm |
Common specifications:
| Outside Fork Width |
540 mm (HU 30-115); 580 mm (HU 50-115); 700 mm (HU 50-200) |
| Lowered Fork Height |
85 mm (HU 30-115); 90 mm (HU 50-115); 105 mm (HU 50-200) |
| Stroke (Lift Height) |
115 mm (HU 30-115); 110 mm (5-tonne variants) |
| Control Handle Height |
1,230 mm (HU 30-115); 1,220 mm (5-tonne variants) |
| Steering Rollers |
200 × 50 mm |
| Load Rollers |
80 × 70 mm PUR (HU 30-115); 82 × 80 mm steel (5-tonne variants) |
| Steering Angle |
105° each side |
| Country of Manufacture |
Germany |
Where distances are long or the same route is walked repeatedly, an electric pallet truck removes the effort; to lift pallets to height rather than move them at floor level, use a hand stacker.
CE Marked & EN 1757-2 Compliant
Supplied with an EC Declaration of Conformity under EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. Manufactured in compliance with EN 1757-2 (Safety of industrial trucks — pedestrian-controlled pallet trucks) and the harmonised standards DIN EN ISO 12100-1 and DIN EN ISO 12100-2. Type tested under BGV D27.
More About This Product
The Pfaff-Silberblau Heavy Loads range is engineered for situations where a 2,500 kg standard pallet truck is the wrong tool. Three models cover capacities from 3,000 kg right up to 5,000 kg: the HU 30-115 TP at 3 tonnes for general heavy-pallet work, the HU 50-115 TP at 5 tonnes for industrial machinery and heavy-equipment distribution, and the HU 50-200 TP at 5 tonnes with extended 2,000 mm forks for moving long heavy loads such as machinery skids and precast concrete sections. Engineered and manufactured in Germany by Pfaff-Silberblau (Columbus McKinnon Group), the Heavy Loads range uses a reinforced chassis with thicker fork plate, larger steering rollers, and steel-on-steel load rollers on the 5-tonne variants to handle loads that would damage standard polyurethane rollers under sustained use.
Where Are the Heavy Loads Trucks Used?
The 3-tonne HU 30-115 TP is the natural step up from a standard 2,500 kg truck. It is used in steel stockholders for moving palletised bar stock, in cement and aggregate distribution for moving full pallets of bagged material, in heavy-fixings warehouses where dense palletised stock routinely exceeds 2 tonnes, and in any operation where the 2,500 kg standard truck has been derated by repeated overloading.
The 5-tonne HU 50-115 TP is found in industrial machinery distribution, heavy-equipment hire, and engineering workshops. Industrial pumps, motors, gearboxes, generators, and machinery sub-assemblies routinely arrive on heavy pallets at weights between 3 and 5 tonnes. A powered forklift is the obvious tool, but where the truck has to enter buildings with low door heights, basement workshops, or confined service areas, a manual heavy-loads truck does the job without the headroom and access constraints of a counterbalance forklift.
The 5-tonne HU 50-200 TP with extended forks handles the specialist case of long heavy loads: machinery skids, precast concrete kerbs and sections, large fabrications, and any load where the 1,150 mm fork is too short to safely support the base.
Recommended Pre-Use Checks
- Visually inspect the forks, frame, and cross-bracing for damage. Heavy-load trucks show damage at the joints between the fork section and the chassis — check welds carefully.
- Check the load rollers (PUR on the 3-tonne; steel on the 5-tonne) for free rotation and damage. Steel rollers show flat spots after extreme overloading — replace if any flat spotting is visible.
- Check the steering rollers and confirm 105° steering travel.
- Test the lift and lower functions through full travel before placing a load on the forks. Heavy-load trucks have a higher pump pressure and the lift requires more handle force than a standard truck.
- Confirm the hydraulic system holds pressure for 30 seconds unladen.
- Inspect for hydraulic oil leaks — particularly around the pump and lift cylinder where heavy-load pressures stress the seals.
- Confirm the floor surface is adequate for the truck and its load. Steel rollers on a thin epoxy floor will damage the floor under heavy loads.
- Verify the data plate is legible.
Safety Information
- Do not exceed the stated SWL for your model (3,000 or 5,000 kg).
- Heavy-load trucks demand greater physical effort to move — ensure the operator is capable of moving the loaded truck without strain. Two-person operation may be appropriate for the 5-tonne variants on any incline.
- Do not use to lift personnel.
- Distribute load evenly. A 5-tonne load offset to one side of the fork can tip the truck and cause serious injury or damage.
- The 5-tonne steel rollers will damage soft floor coverings (linoleum, vinyl, thin epoxy). Confirm floor suitability before using.
- Move at walking speed only. The momentum of a 5-tonne load is significant — stopping distance is much greater than for a standard truck. Specify the optional driving brake if the working route includes gradients.
- Operators must be trained in manual handling and the specific risks of heavy-load pedestrian trucks.
- Rated for ambient temperature -10°C to +50°C.
- Inspect annually under PUWER 1998 and BGV D27. Heavy-load trucks may benefit from six-monthly inspection where used continuously at load.
Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should I move up from a 2,500 kg truck to a heavy-loads variant?
Whenever you routinely handle loads above 2,000 kg. Working a standard 2,500 kg truck at its full rated load every day shortens its life dramatically — hydraulic seals fail early, rollers wear faster, and the chassis flexes over time. A 3-tonne truck at 2,500 kg is loafing, which is what extends working life. Move up when your typical load reaches 80% of your existing truck's rating.
Q: Why steel rollers on the 5-tonne models? Won't they damage my floors?
Steel rollers are the only practical choice for sustained 5-tonne loads — polyurethane cannot maintain its shape under that load without long-term compression damage. The trade-off is floor suitability: steel rollers need a hard floor surface (concrete, granolithic, heavy-duty epoxy, or steel plate). They will damage linoleum, vinyl, thin epoxy, and untreated wood. Confirm your floor before ordering the 5-tonne models.
Q: Can I get PUR rollers on the 5-tonne models?
Not as a standard option. The capacity rating depends on the steel-roller specification. PUR-rollered 5-tonne variants are technically possible as special builds but the rolling resistance is too high for practical pedestrian operation and the rollers wear within months. The 3-tonne HU 30-115 TP retains PUR rollers as standard for normal warehouse floor compatibility.
Q: Do I need two people to operate the 5-tonne models?
Officially single-operator pedestrian operation. In practice, moving 5 tonnes from rest on a flat floor requires significant initial effort, and any gradient compounds this substantially. We recommend two-person operation for any movement over an incline, and we strongly recommend specifying the optional driving brake on the 5-tonne models if gradients are involved in the working route.
Q: What about powered alternatives?
Where access permits, an electric pallet truck (Pfaff EGU 15E or EGU PS 14) at 1,400 to 1,500 kg covers many lighter applications, and a counterbalance forklift covers the higher end. The heavy-loads manual trucks fill the niche where powered equipment cannot access the working area — basement workshops, low-headroom buildings, indoor service areas, and ATEX zones where electric trucks are excluded.
Q: Will it fit through a standard doorway?
The 3-tonne and 5-tonne 1,150 mm fork variants fit through standard 900 mm and 750 mm doorways. The 5-tonne 2,000 mm fork variant requires a clear width of approximately 1,000 mm and an overall length of around 2,500 mm including handle — confirm your access dimensions before ordering.
Q: What about annual inspection requirements?
PUWER 1998 applies as standard. For 5-tonne variants used at near full capacity continuously, we recommend six-monthly examination as a safety best-practice rather than the minimum annual requirement.
