Our ultimate guide to get the very best out of your Electric Pallet Trucks

Here at Go-EPT, based in Sheffield, UK, we stock & supply a comprehensive range of electric pallet / pump trucks, and we will have one which specifically suits your exact needs. Whether your business is small, medium, or large, the correct hand pallet truck, or fleet of trucks, is absolutely vital for ensuring your manoeuvring and distribution is as efficient and as reliable as possible.

All of our pallet trucks are extremely high quality, having gone through rigorous checks and testing, thereby offering the very best possible products for our customers all over the UK.

As with anything, there are ways to ensure that your pallet trucks and handling equipment are being used to their full potential. Therefore, we have collated a list of useful tips in order to ensure you are making full use of your pallet trucks…

Which truck is the right one for my needs?

It is essential that you choose the correct truck for your operational needs. For example, if you only use your pallet truck for lighter loads, you could opt for the reliable and trusty CBD15-WS model, which will take loads of up to 1500kgs. If, however, you find your pallet truck is in constant use, or carrying much heavier loads, you could opt for the highly capable CBD20-WS, which is super reliable, and carries loads of up to 2000kgs, or opt for the sturdy and reliable CBD20-WS-LBR, which not only carries loads of up to 2000kgs, but has a sturdy load backrest. We also have a Cold Store option, the CBD20-WS-CS, for use in cold and freezing areas/conditions, and an economic semi-electric option, the CBD20-WS-SE, which is a great option if you are thinking of transitioning from manual to electric, and do not need a fully electric truck all of the time. We also have electric stackers and tow trucks in stock, so you have plenty of options to choose from. Then there’s our manual range, which you can find by clicking here.

You need to consider how much weight do you usually load? And how often do you use your truck? Once you know the answers to these questions, it is a really good idea to invest in an electric pallet truck that is (even just a little) more capable than you really need at present. This will give you some leeway and allow your business to grow, without your electric pallet truck suddenly becoming unfit for your growing business – If you invest in the future of your business, it will save you money in the long run! A good idea is, if your current maximum loads are up to 1500kg, it would be a great idea to buy a truck that can load 2000kg, or more, if you are really looking long-term.

Understanding your electric pallet trucks…

This is vital – Often, because of lack of training, or refresher training, there are many operators who do not realise how important it is to understand the specifics of the equipment they are operating. It is so important for training to be given to all who operate pallet trucks and indeed any handling and/or lifting equipment. All pallet/pump trucks are different, with distinct features ensuring the pallet truck is designed to work best in any given operational setting, so it’s very important for your operators to really understand the model(s) they are using.

The correct speed is vital!…

As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your pallet truck operatives understand the importance of using the truck methodically and… slowly! Look up PUWER98 and LOLER Regulations, and make sure all of your pallet truck operators receive the necessary training in order to have the knowledge to operate a truck correctly, and in order to minimise accidents or injuries.

This may sound counterproductive when you are wanting to maximise efficiency in your warehouse or operational setting, but for safety reasons, the best way to operate a pallet truck is to use it slowly and methodically, and one must never rush with these pieces of equipment. By following this advice, you are vastly improving safety within your workspace.

By not rushing, this ensures the pallet truck is well controlled, and it makes it easier to handle for the operator. Going slowly also ensures the operator has the time to anticipate any potential hazards, and to take any necessary action in good time. Going slowly also ensures the load is more secure, meaning potential damage, accidents, or injuries are going to be greatly reduced.

Understanding Electric Pallet Truck Batteries…

One of the huge benefits of an electric pallet truck over its manual counterpart is that it allows the operator to manoeuvre heavier or bulkier loads without the strain a manual pump truck may cause over time. All electric pallet trucks come with batteries, and these need to be correctly charged. Having the knowledge on how to care for and optimally charge the battery is essential for ensuring the efficiency of your electric pallet truck.

All of our electric pallet trucks come with lithium-ion batteries. You also have the option to purchase a second battery when you purchase your electric pallet truck, or you can buy an extra battery at a later date if you prefer, if find you need one. Having a second battery ensures that your operations are never interrupted, and the batteries can be changed in seconds.

Knowing how to charge a battery correctly will ensure you keep it charging efficiently so that the battery retains an optimal lifespan.

Knowing the weight limits of your trucks…

As stated above, electric pallet trucks are designed to make manouvering heavy loads much easier for the operator, but as with all handling and lifting equipment, they each have a weight limit (different models differ in what they can carry – See our electric pallet truck range by clicking here) which indicates the maximum load any given truck is able to carry. Each operator needs to be aware of the maximum capacity of the electric pallet truck they are operating, and always ensure that the weight limit of the truck is never exceeded. It is very good practice to stay under the maximum weight limit.

If an operator exceeds the maximum weight the electric pallet truck is designed for, it is not good practice for various reasons: Failing to adhere to the weight limits adds much more pressure on to the loading area, wheels, and the body of the truck. This will not only make the pallet truck much more difficult to manoeuvre, but it has the very real potential to be extremely hazardous. Furthermore, if the weight limit of the truck is exceeded, the risk of the load becoming unstable and potentially being damaged or tipping, causing injury, or causing an accident, is greatly increased.

Choosing the right truck for your warehouse, industrial setting, or workspace…

The efficacy of your electric pallet truck is affected by the place in which it’s operated. Always ensure that aisles in your operational setting are as wide as possible, thus allowing operatives the room needed to safely and effectively manoeuvre the truck. This will obviously aid the flow of other traffic if you have more than one electric pallet truck or other machinery which might be operating in the same area of your warehouse/operational setting.

It is also extremely important to keep the path of electric pallet trucks clear from any obstructions. If the workspace in which you operate your electric pallet trucks is dirty, has debris, or is used outdoors, you should take the time to clean down the truck regularly yourself. If you do this, along with your regular servicing and maintenance, this will aid in keeping your electric pallet truck in good working order for as long as possible. Dirt, grime, dust, and debris can interfere with the electronics in your electric pallet truck, so doing everything you can to prevent anything from compromising your truck will keep it in great condition for much longer.

Regular servicing and maintenance is key…

To ensure your electric pallet truck is running as efficiently as possible, to ensure it is safe to use, and is PUWER and LOLER compliant, it is essential that it is not only maintained, but serviced regularly. Here at Go-EPT, we provide a full service and repairs service, and we work to PUWER98 & LOLER Regulations – If you need any help, or would like to book a repair or service, please click here to contact our friendly technical team to book in.

Regular servicing and replacing of parts where necessary will keep your electric pump truck in optimal working order, as well as keeping it PUWER98 and LOLER compliant. We always do a full ‘MoT’ of your trucks, and do a full check on every part of the equipment to ensure that all of the functions of your pallet truck work properly, and that the battery holds a consistent charge. After each maintenance service, you will receive a fully completed worksheet showing you exactly what we have checked, and where needed, any parts we have replaced. We are fully transparent, and always check with you before we fit any needed parts, so you’re fully aware of any additional costs before we proceed.

Consistency in checking your trucks…

It is good practice for any operators to get in to the habit of really checking a pallet truck over, before every use, and after they complete using it for the day. If your pump truck is pretty much in constant use, it is really important that it is checked over when shifts change over too. All of your operators should be aware of what they should be checking and looking for, to ensure the electric pump truck is in the correct working order and safe to use.

Pay particular attention to any potential issues with the battery, such as overcharging, or discharge of the battery being too fast, indicating a problem. You should also check the wheels for any signs of damage on a regular basis, as well as checking over the body of the truck for any issues or damage. Any issues an operator might see should be recorded and advised to management straight away, and arrange to be rectified as quickly as possible by qualified pallet truck technicians. If in any doubt, do not use the truck – Repairs and servicing are our speciality, so if you need any repairs or a service, please do contact us, and our friendly technical team will help you, and arrange this for you if you so wish. We will always come out to you as quickly as possible. If we have a technician in your area, we can often arrange to come to you on the same day, so it’s worth checking with us.

Conclusion from this article…

To conclude, it is fair to say that you should view your electric pallet truck as an investment. Choosing the right model for you is really important, for reasons stated above – This way, you will be ensuring that your chosen pallet truck is so much easier and safer for operators, which will greatly improve efficiency in your warehouse or operational setting. Following the advice in this blog can help to ensure that you gain maximum usability and lifespan of your electric pump truck(s).

Electric pallet/pump trucks are manufactured to be very reliable, but in order to maximise this, you need to ensure effort is put in to look after them, both by yourselves, and by keeping up with regular maintenance and servicing checks. By doing this, your electric pallet truck will be a valuable piece of equipment, and will serve you well for a long time.

Need advice, or wish to purchase a truck? Please contact us…

Here at Go-EPT, we offer a large range of electric pallet trucks to suit all warehouse and operational settings and requirements, along with manual hand pallet trucks, stackers, platform lifters, scissor lift tables, etc. Please check our extremely reliable and durable range of electric pump trucks by clicking here, or you can call us on 0333 772 7726, or email us info@go-ept.com, and we will be happy to assist you. We are also happy to offer advice re any queries you may have about your own pallet truck(s), so please do not hesitate to contact us.