Working in the distribution industry or any other type of industrial industry for that matter, then you should consider investing in pump trucks if you haven’t already. Their main purpose is to transport pallets but they can also be used for transporting boxes and other cargo.

What is A Pump Truck?

Pump trucks are used to move and lift pallets, usually across a warehouse or yard. If the name ‘pump truck’ isn’t ringing any bells, then don’t worry, they also go under a whole number of aliases, including;

• Pallet truck
• Pallet pump
• Pallet jack
• Dog
• Jigger

Pump trucks are one of the most basic forms of forklift and have been around for a long time, since 1918 in fact. The original pump trucks used mechanical linkages, whereas modern pump trucks use hydraulics to lift and operate.

How Do They Work?

Pump trucks can either come in manual or electric form and depending on your budget and what the use of it will be will depend on which is more suitable for you. They are controlled and steered by a lever and this same lever is also used as the pump that helps pump trucks rise and lower. These type of pump trucks don’t actually rise enough to store pallets up high, you’ll likely need another piece of machinery than this. Instead, it rises just enough to allow it to move and operate with little to no hassle at all.

How Much Do Pump Trucks Cost?

The price of pump trucks will vary, depending on whether you opt for manual of powered. They are extremely cost effective method of pallet transportation, the basic ones usually range from between £200-£800, depending on type you get and the features it has. The price can also vary out with this as there are different types of pallet lifters available.

Advantages

Pump trucks have many advantages to a company in the industrial business.

• Cheaper than other types of pallet lifters
• Increased efficiency – helping you save both time and money
• Optional accessories – integrated scales, small printers for printing load weight
• Great for warehouses that store pallets at floor level
• When proper training and supervision are put in place, these are extremely safe pieces of machinery to operate
• Can save space compared to other types of pallet lifters