Pallet Truck or Stacker? Five Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Pallet trucks and stackers look similar in a catalogue, but choosing the wrong one means slow handling, damaged goods or unsafe lifting. Answer these five questions first.

1. How heavy are your loads?

Check the heaviest pallet you move, not the average. Choose equipment rated above that weight with a margin, and remember that a stacker's capacity usually drops as it lifts higher. Check the load chart, not just the headline figure.

2. Do you move, or do you lift?

• Pallet trucks lift a pallet just clear of the floor to move it horizontally. Ideal for loading bays, receiving areas and moving goods across a floor.
• Stackers lift pallets onto racking or other pallets. Choose one when you need to store at height.

3. How high do you need to lift?

Measure the top beam of your racking and add clearance for placing the pallet. Also check your door heights and ceiling obstructions, which limit the stacker's closed height.

4. What is the floor like, and how often will you use it?

Smooth, level concrete suits most equipment. Rough, uneven or sloped surfaces need suitable wheels, or may rule out some models. For occasional moves, manual equipment is fine. For many moves a day, or heavy loads over distance, electric or semi-electric models reduce operator fatigue and injury risk.

5. How much space do you have?

Measure aisle widths and turning areas. Compact models make a big difference in tight stores, back-of-house areas and on vessels.

Safety first

Train operators, keep loads within rated capacity, and inspect wheels, forks and hydraulics regularly. Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) requirements apply to material handling at work, so keep inspection records.

How Delight can help

Browse Pallet Trucks & Stackers, Lifting, Trolley & Scaffold and Site & Workshop Machinery. Tell us your load, lift height and floor, and our team will recommend and quote a suitable model within 24 hours. Request a quotation.