Even the best run materials handling organisation comes under strain. With the potential for changing demands and tight deadlines, every operation can be pushed to its limits. And a refusal to change from hand pallet trucks to power pallet trucks could be one of the reasons you’re struggling.
Sign 1: You regularly move loads of 500 kg or more
The first sign is easy and objective. Relying on a hand pallet truck to cope with heavy loads is a gamble – practically and legally. And things start to get tough the moment you reach 500 kg.
That’s because the HSE’s recommended maximum pushing and pulling forces at work are 20 kg for men, and 15 kg for women. And when independent researchers tested 17 brands of hand pallet truck, they found the average strain to start or stop a 500 kg load is 23 kg – well over the HSE limit.
Meanwhile, for a 2000 kg load, the initial force is between 42 kg and 60 kg. That means you could easily be three to four times over the HSE guidelines. In short, it’s risking your people and, if you’re inspected, your business too.
Sign 2: Safety and sick leave are a concern
Reducing strain can directly increase the number of days your people are fit to work. In 2023/24, musculoskeletal disorders were the second most common cause of sickness at work – accounting for one third of all cases. As outlined in the HSE recommendations above, reducing the physical effort needed to push and pull loads is a key way to reduce everyday wear and tear on your team’s limbs, joints, and backs.
And it’s not just long-term repetitive strain injuries, either. The likelihood of workplace accidents is multiplied if you’re working on uneven surfaces or wet conditions. As well as having the ability to handle bigger loads, power pallet trucks are built to stop, start, and corner safely. Stability features reduce the chance of accidents and load spillages, keeping both operators and goods safe.
Sign 3: You need to reduce damage to loads and racking
As well as protecting the operator, reducing physical effort and improving stability makes it easier to be precise. Movements are more accurate and controlled. The result? Your racking, and your goods, take less of a beating.
If this is a priority, your choice of truck is important, especially if you’re working in tight spaces, or with awkward loads. The right power pallet truck will also have steering and control features that make goods easier to manoeuvre.
Look for the functions and truck types that will most benefit your particular workplace. For instance, ride-on trucks might be a better option in narrow aisles. Or, if you have new staff, the Mitsubishi PREMiA has switchable “ECO” and “PRO” performance modes, so you can slow the truck down for less experienced operators, helping them avoid mistakes while they’re learning.
Sign 4: You work at a fast pace, or productivity is important
Ultimately, an investment in power pallet trucks creates a more productive workforce. Part of that is about reducing absences and downtime, but a lot is giving them the right tools to move loads faster and with more confidence.
A ride-on electric truck will have a far higher top speed than anyone could safely achieve with a hand pallet truck, of course, so your goods get there faster. But really, that only matters if you have long distances and open spaces to cover. It’s usually just as important that a truck has stable cornering and precise, intuitive controls – so the truck moves exactly as the operator expects – because confidence work is fast work.
Sign 5: You want to keep your operations flexible
If your load types are unpredictable – or if change is happening in your industry – it’s good to know you already have the power, features, and capacity to adapt to those changes.
But handling new loads is only a part of the wider change happening in materials handling. Professionalism is becoming more widespread, with an increased focus on standards and safety, and the need to find efficiencies wherever possible. Fleet management will be important, too.
You might find time per job will be measured in new ways. Minor bumps and scrapes might be recorded and charged differently. Or new racking layouts might be required. So a truck that’s flexible, manoeuvrable and fast will stand you in good stead. And with the industry steadily moving towards electric forklifts, battery charging and maintenance is also increasingly easy.
Match the truck to your challenges
If you’re facing one or more of these issues, it’s a solid bet that electric pallet trucks would be a good choice. But choosing the best truck is essential. The right power pallet truck is much more than just an electric version of the truck you know.
At Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, our research and development team have spent years designing trucks with features that will genuinely make your life easier and your operation more affordable.
What can you expect to find on one of our PREMiA power pallet trucks?
DriveSteady – Unique patented technology which offers maximum traction and stability on uneven surfaces and in wet conditions, especially when cornering. Not only does this inspire confidence in the operator, but it keeps them, the goods, and the racking protected.
360-Degree Steering – Allows smooth turning without the traditional pause involved with a 3-point turn. This time saving might sound marginal but, added up over the length of the shift, it’s a gamechanger. It also puts the load through fewer start and stop forces and makes for a far quicker, safer, and more stable operation.
Intelligent Cornering System – The truck senses the angle of the turn and reduces its speed, making for safer handling with maximum stability and accurate cornering. What’s more, it reduces the elements that an operator must think about, leaving them more focused on the task at hand.
Creep Speed Function with Tiller Arm – This will enable the operator to work while the tiller arm is in an upright position for increased manoeuvrability and productivity.
Dynamic Power Steering – This reduces the effort required by the operator, making the drive smoother and more responsive. This reduces fatigue and improves the precision and driveability so that the load is even more stable and safe.
And this is just the beginning. Every truck in the PREMiA range comes with a host of features focused on solving the challenges you encounter on a daily basis.
Power pallet trucks are popular for a reason
There’s a lot to like about an old-style hand pallet truck. It’s simple, it does the job, and – so long as it’s designed and built well – there’s not a lot to go wrong. But the world is changing, and for a lot of workplaces the safety, efficiency, and cost benefits of an electric power pallet truck are becoming difficult to ignore.
If you’d like to know more, explore the PREMiA power pallet truck range, to see which features might be the best fit for your operations.
Or, if you’d like to talk through your challenges in a little more detail, feel free to call our materials handling experts on 0845 371 3048, or visit our contact page.