A pallet jack, also known as a pallet truck, pump truck, or jigger is a tool used to lift and move pallets.
The front wheels are mounted inside the end of the forks, and as the hydraulic jack is raised, the forks are separated vertically from the front wheels, forcing the load upward until it clears the floor. The pallet is only lifted enough to clear the floor for subsequent travel.
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A manual pallet jack is a hand-powered jack.
Powered pallet jacks, also known as electric pallet trucks, walkies, single or double pallet jacks, are motorized to allow lifting and moving of heavier and stacked pallets. These generally contain a platform for the user to stand while hauling pallets around a warehouse or loading/unloading trucks. 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.
The North American industry seems to have 'standardized' pallet jacks in several ways:
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