A pallet truck, also known as a hand pallet truck, pallet jack or pump tuck, is a manual handling tool used to lift and move palletised goods. Provided on wheels, the forks of the pallet truck slide underneath the pallet. The user then utilised the handle to operate the hydraulic function to lift the pallet with minimal effort. Once lifted, the pallet can then be safely moved to an alternative location.

Pallet trucks are commonly used in warehouses, distribution centres, supermarkets, loading bays, construction sites and restaurants.

Pallet trucks generally have low ground clearance and are mainly used to transport goods over short distances, such as within the warehouse, on flat ground.

Our new range of pallet trucks offer a 2,500kg capacity making them suitable for a wide selection of goods.

When selecting a pallet truck, there are several factors to consider to ensure you choose the right solution.

• Load capacity - Check the maximum weight of items you wish to lift, most manual pallet trucks offer capacities up to 2,500kg.
• Fork size - Some pallet trucks are designed for UK pallets, some for Euro pallets and others are suitable for both. If you wish to carry longer pallets and oversized pallets, longer forks are likely to be needed.
• Floor surface - Consider where the pallet truck will be used. For customer-facing areas, a quiet pallet truck such as those with rubber or PU wheels is generally selected.
• Frequency of use - For regular use in warehouses, nylon wheels are often selected as they are extremely durable.

There are a variety of types of pallet trucks available, the pallet truck required does depend on your requirements. Some examples of types of pallet trucks can be seen below:

• Manual pallet trucks - Hand operated pallet trucks designed for light to medium tasks.
• Electric pallet trucks - More costly than manual pallet trucks, the electric pallet trucks are battery operated so require regular charging. They are commonly used to improve efficiency in areas where pallet trucks are continuously required.
• High lift pallet trucks - Also referred to as scissor lift pallet trucks, these pallet trucks can lift pallets higher than standard manual pallet trucks. They are commonly used in warehouses to allow operators to stack pallets on racking located above ground level.
• Rough terrain pallet trucks - Whilst the majority of pallet trucks are designed for use on flat ground, rough terrain pallet trucks are able to be used on uneven surfaces, making them suitable for use on construction sites and outdoor settings.

At The Ramp People we are excited to introduce our range of hand pallet trucks. The range all feature tandem wheels to evenly distribute the load across the floor, making manoeuvring smoother and easier. The ergonomic handle allows the pallet truck to easily be operated by the used whilst the hydraulic assist makes lifting and lowering pallets effortless. Designed for use in a variety of environments, the pallet trucks are compatible with UK and Euro pallets.

When choosing a pallet truck, it is important to consider the most suitable wheel type for your workplace. Below we show the types of wheels available along with the benefits of each.

All of The Ramp People's pallet trucks are CE-marked and are provided with a 1-year warranty.

Polyurethane (PU) wheels are perfect for those seeking to use a pallet truck in a customer-facing environment. The PU wheels offer quiet operation, excellent traction, and reduced marking on polished and laminated floors.

Nylon wheels are recognised for being highly durable and are commonly found in warehouses where the pallet truck is used daily. Nylon wheels perform best smooth, hard floors and are known for their exceptional durability and wear resistance. Nylon wheels are louder than PU and rubber wheels so are generally not used in customer facing sites.

Pallet trucks with rubber wheels are commonly used in customer-facing areas as the wheels are quiet. The shock-absorbing design provides a smoother experience for the operator. Rubber wheels offer enhanced grip in wet areas so are a popular choice in supermarkets, factories and within the hospitality sector.

• In the UK, the HSE found in 2024 - 2025 that over 680,000 workers were hurt in the workplace. Employer RIDDOR reports showed that 30% of injuries related to handling, lifting or carrying. Reducing the need for manual handling, through improved training and the use of tools such as ramps, pallet trucks and lifting machinery, is key to reducing the number of workplace injuries.
• Reducing the risks associated with manual handling is essential for creating safer working environments. This can be achieved through effective training, improved working practices, and the use of suitable equipment such as pallet trucks, ramps, and lifting machinery to reduce the need for employees to manually move heavy or awkward loads.
• Pallet trucks are seen as beneficial as they can reduce hazardous manual handling tasks. For example, the HSE recommends considering using a pallet truck, hoist or lift truck to reduce the risks of manual handling.

PUWER covers the inspection and maintenance of work equipment.

These regulations cover manual handling, including use of pallet trucks as manual pallet trucks require the user to pull and push the pallet truck.

LOLER provides guidances around planning, organising and examining lifting equipment. Note, LOLER only applies to manual pallet trucks which can be lifted to heights above 300mm.

Tool to help assess the risks of manual pushing and pulling operations, including the use of pallet trucks.

Pallet trucks generally have low ground clearance and therefore a ramp is usually required to overcome kerbs, steps and thresholds in the warehouse. At The Ramp People we offer an extensive range of aluminium and rubber ramps designed to allow you to safely transport pallets over heights or allow your team to load goods in and out of ground level shipping containers.

Choosing the right pallet truck depends on several factors, including the weight of your goods, your working environment, frequency of use and the type of surface you operate on.

Whether you need a durable warehouse pallet truck with nylon wheels, a quieter option for customer-facing areas with PU or rubber wheels, or additional equipment such as pallet truck ramps, selecting the right solution can help improve efficiency and workplace safety.

At The Ramp People, our range of 2,500kg manual pallet trucks provides reliable handling solutions for warehouses, retail environments, loading areas and more.

Explore our range of pallet trucks today or contact our team for advice on choosing the right solution for your workplace.

Still need assistance? Our team is available throughout the week to help via phone, email, live chat or WhatsApp. If you’d rather we call you, you can easily request a callback here.