Pallet jacks

[Rick Potter]

I have been rethinking mobile bases on my larger tools. I can hardly move my 36" Woodmaster drum sander, on its HD ShopFox base, and now have a 600+# saw and band saw. I was going to get some HD casters, and square tubing and have my son weld up some new bases, but am thinking of just putting some 4X4 under the bases and moving them with a pallet jack. Add adjustable elevator bolt type feet for fine leveling.

These tools only get moved when I rearrange the shop, and then I usually just move around the smaller stuff, like router tables, work tables, etc. I like my tools fairly high (TS is 37 1/2"),
so putting 4X4's under them is just about right, and gives me room to use a pallet jack. So...I got on CL and picked up a well worn pallet jack to try out. It works well enough (leaks), but I find that the 27" wide forks are just a bit too wide for what I need on the TS. I either have to make my platform wider, which may get in the way, or possibly get a narrow (21" wide) pallet jack.

So....questions. Anyone using pallet jacks, unhappy with them? Do you have a narrow one (they go as narrow as 16" but 21" is fine for my needs) or a regular one. I can get a 21" for only $10 more than a 27". I am thinking about new since it will cost less than the steel and wheels for what I need, and I will not have to pay shipping, since a warehouse is close to me.

Normal forks are 48" long, but 36" are available for the same price. Which do you recommend?

Any pics of the platforms you use with the pallet jacks would be helpful also.


I should have done this years ago, but never wanted to take up the space a pallet jack would use. My aged brain just realized it would tuck very nicely under a 4' wide shelving unit I have in the shop. I will probably become very popular with neighbors once they find out about it.

Thanks,
Rick

[Darcy Warner]

I have two narrow ones, one with short forks. I use those more than I do my standard one.
I bought one new, the others used.

[Al Launier]

Sorry, I can't help, but be careful not to go too narrow.

[David Kumm]

For the smaller machines you are talking about, the narrow would probably fit best unless all machines have more than 27" of width. Avoidd the really cheap jacks as they don't feather down very slowly and are jarring to the load. Dave

[Jim Becker]

For folks who have larger/heavier machinery, I think that a pallet jack is a great investment for that very-occasional need to move something. I've rented one twice...when I first got my slider to put it into position and a couple years ago when I modified the footprint and needed to move it a few feet. My particular machine doesn't require a "narrow" jack, but it does work better with one that has shorter forks. For in-shop use, I suspect that a narrower version with short forks may be more versatile, but one has to consider the specific machines that it would be used with to make a determination. There's no need to buy something really expensive, either, as most of the less expensive ones are rate for weight well above even a 1500lb slider...

You do need a place to keep it when it's not in use, however... ;)

[Warren Lake]

picked a used one up recently after 40 years of stupidity on pipes from bar clamps and other things sliding down beams and and. This one is 20 years old came from an auction at a big shop 2 plus hours away. My reasoning was to take my 86 year old neighbour to see here grandson and his new home. When I asked her she lit up and was almost in tears that was worth the price and time alone.

Moved two Shapers one SCM and a Griggio. First thing is getting under them they are not high enough and you have to block them at least 3" probably a bit more. In my case I had to go from the front as i have the lift that is 27" to the outsides, The narrow one is the best choice id say think they are 21" but have to measure a machine but pretty sure that would allow side approach. Id say my fork length is medium and presents no issues too long would not matter either extend out the other side of put the machine further down the forks you have some choice there. There is also a lower version model, ive since seen them with adjustable width forks.

I lifted from the front griggio was fine but the SCM how its built with the brake and spindle lock pedals is not that substantial so felt I was stressing it a bit, it didn't bend and keep a shape but I think it did stress it a bit too much. I also came from the side by running a 2 x 6 from front to back extending out blocking that up then you can do a side approach and the lift will sit on the 2 x 6 and widths dont matter.

For the dovetailer which is a chunky little pug it has four feet and ill have to build a big block that goes under the center of the base maybe 12" high or so or more. Its on four feet and at 2,500 lbs a bit more serious weight. I can see some lugan has used a forklift on that and not had great aim or just used a fork to push it a few inches from the location and way the paint is chipped off.

I think most of them are rated for 5,100 lbs if im remembering correctly. Cleaned it all up well and lubricated it and all works smoothly, at 20 years old its got some play in it but thats fine reminds me of some of my old cars in the younger days.

Joe said I would love it and turns out he was right. used it once and it paid for itself in time saving compared the the past flintstones ways.


Blocked up still stresses the front part but less as the 2 x 6's are further apart than the forks would be, narrow may not have worked on the base on this machine

368218

[Keith Outten]

I am sold on using a pallet jack in my shop. I can move my 800 pound band saw with very little effort. Since I purchased mine it is used more frequently than I expected. Even though my 500 + pound planer is on a custom welded steel stand that I built its easier to move it with the pallet jack then push it around on its wheels.

Its a Northern Tool mini pallet jack, the forks are 15" wide and 31" long.

[Rick Potter]

Keith,

Your pic of the bandsaw is exactly what I envision doing with mine. Those blocks will raise the table to where I want it, and make it portable with the jack.

[Jim Becker]

Keith, I'm jealous that you have that Northern Tool there locally. (I bought my hitch receiver carrier there while on vacation a few years ago) That's a nice pallet jack you have for sure.

[Dan Scullin]

I do the same. It works out great. I've welded stretchers at the right height on my metal lathe, short legs on to my milling machine and built short legs on all base cabinets etc. Moving and arranging is easy. I have the small one from Grizzly.

[David Kumm]

It's less important for loads under 1000 lbs, but jacks with good metering valves and a decent build are , Crown, Lift Rite, Raymond ( made in USA ), BT Lifter (Swedish I think ), Jungheinrich, and Bishamon. Those are the ones I look for used. Dave

[Greg R Bradley]

I have four that get regular light use. A Big Joe that I bought new 40 years ago and still works fine even though the polyurethane wheels are so thin they are starting to show the steel of the wheel. A Harbor Freight that we just returned for the fourth time and they credited me instead of replacing it for number 5. I think they are just junk. A Jet that is dedicated to upstairs use where it is very lightly used. And a Crown that is an incredible deal if you want a good one. It is good industrial quality and they sell them for $449 including freight, possibly only to a business with a commercial address. They might let you will-call it in Ontario. They sell the standard 27x48", narrow 20x48", and narrow short 20x36". I think it is as good as my neighbors BT (Swedish), which are available locally from U-Line for $700, also a good deal if you will call them, also in Ontario.
The Crown has had an English phone booth on it for 14 months, which I have to move around daily to get it out of my way. 3x3' base, 8.5' tall and 2100 pounds. Need to find an English Pub that needs a conversation piece.

[Rick Potter]

Greg,

I must have something you want to swap for that phone booth.

[J.R. Rutter]

Pallet jacks are great for moving machinery around. For machinery that isn't up on blocks for access, I use a pry bar to lever up one side at a time and add temporary blocking.

[James Biddle]

I've got one and love it. Decide where you're going to store it before you buy. I mostly store it upstairs with the wood or behind the CNC or shaper. Oh, and with some pallets, it works well to move wood around.

[Bill Dufour]

I understand a common problem is the front wheels are seldom greased. They are normally cheap and easy to replace. I would buy a quality used jack. Not much to go wrong other then leaks. A quality brand one you can buy new seals that fit.
Bill

[Warren Lake]

JR I have a samurri pry bar that can lift very heavy stuff or at least raise it at times I get lazy and use a block of wood on a car jack, its easier and my hands are both free to put the blocks under just a different way the pry bar is great but the jack is easier just block up to under the table old kitchen guy showed me that.

[Rick Potter]

I am fortunate in that I have a 4' wide shelf unit, like at HD, and the jack forks will fit right under it, with only the handle/pump end taking up space. Like I mentioned, I picked up a well used one for $60, and if I like it, I may try a new one. It looks like I will be wanting a 21" wide one, with 36" or 48" forks.

When I get the blocks under a couple tools, I can determine my needs better, and at my age, I have lots of needs, like a new back, shoulders, etc.

[Keith Outten]

Honestly I never used a pallet jack until I bought mine so I didn't know how useful they can be. I have found so many uses for mine in my shop I keep it close at hand rather than bury it behind a machine. I found a company in Virginia Beach who had hundreds of lightweight plastic pallets for sale and I purchased a couple dozen because they were only a couple dollars each. For heavy loads I just stack two or three pallets.

For some jobs I make small custom wooden pallets that often become shipping crates when its warranted but the plastic pallets are so cheap I don't mind using them to deliver even when I know that I won't get them back. The smaller wooden pallets often are built to fit on top of my hydraulic tables so I can move signs from machine to machine and when they are completed I can use my tractor to move them from the roll around hydraulic tables to my connex box or directly to my van. In the past I was building small custom plywood boxes to store and deliver door signs, now I only use a few of the boxes because I can transfer signs from the larger pallet boxes to the small plywood boxes I use on my install cart when I'm on a job site.

I recently found a picture on the Net of a welding workbench that was built to fit on a pallet jack that looks pretty useful. I need to pour an extended apron in front of my shop so I can work outside on some projects using the pallet jack to move assembly's or machines in and out of the shop.

[Art Mann]

I have a 1500 lb motorcycle lift jack that works very well for me moving the heavier equipment. I already had it for doing motorcycle maintenance and it just happened to suit my purposes perfectly. Here is an image of a similar one.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4129fGx-TuL.jpg

The benefit of this tool is it is low profile but will lift at least 12 inches if needed.

[Dave Cav]

I have an older full size Jet. I got it via Craigslist when I got my Powermatic 180 a few years ago. It, my widebelt and my Minimax 20" bandsaw all have skids mounted under them so I can use the pallet jack to move them around. Most of the other tools are on mobile bases or heavy duty casters. Most of the time the pallet jack lives under the widebelt, with the handle moved over to one side. When I get some more paving done around the shop it'll probably go out in the carport under a stack of lumber.

[Alan Lightstone]

I am sold on using a pallet jack in my shop. I can move my 800 pound band saw with very little effort. Since I purchased mine it is used more frequently than I expected. Even though my 500 + pound planer is on a custom welded steel stand that I built its easier to move it with the pallet jack then push it around on its wheels.

Its a Northern Tool mini pallet jack, the forks are 15" wide and 31" long.
Keith:

I'm having trouble finding your exact model of pallet jack on Northern Tool's website.

Do you know which one it is, or have a link to it.

Thanks.

[Keith Outten]

Alan,

I checked the other day to see if i could find the model I have on their web site and it isn't listed. Mine is a yellow mini pallet jack but its not there anymore.

[Alan Lightstone]

Alan,

I checked the other day to see if i could find the model I have on their web site and it isn't listed. Mine is a yellow mini pallet jack but its not there anymore.
I think I found one on U-Line but not on Northern Tool.

[David Bassett]

Alan,

I checked the other day to see if i could find the model I have on their web site and it isn't listed. Mine is a yellow mini pallet jack but its not there anymore.

I searched for "mini pallet jack" on the NorthernTool website and found:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200680712_200680712

15" wide, 31-1/2" long forks, but not yellow. Any other differences? Maybe just a new version....

[Greg R Bradley]

Bear in mind that a pallet jack is supporting the load at three points even if the steering point is two wheels a few inches apart. Remember the stability problems of a tricycle. This is making the two wide wheels very close together so be sure the load isn't very tall and that you are only using this on level ground. OR be very careful.

[Rick Potter]

Well, I liked my $60 jack well enough, but the narrow one is exactly what I need to fit all my large stuff, so I took Greg Bradley's advice and bought a Crown 20X48 jack and picked it up about 10 miles from home. This saved me some shipping, and it cost me $399. One nice thing about it is that parts are available, which many cheap jacks cannot claim.

It works so smoothly, I can let the tools down gently, and they are really easy to move around. I wish I had done it 20 years ago. If anyone is thinking about getting one, I got the 48" long forks, even though 36" or maybe even 30" would do the job. My reasoning is twofold 1. Some of my tools have overhanging tables, and the longer forks still fit, the Grizz slider saw for example, and 2. Resale.

Now to sell the $60 model. Should be easy.

Thanks everybody.

[Alan Lightstone]

I came back from a visit to Felder in Delaware earlier this week. They had suggested the Euro pallet jack to move the machines I'm getting (FB710 bandsaw, D951 planer, and A941 Jointer). Those are the ones with 21" or 22" width. They routinely use those for installs on their machines. That being said, when presented with the choices of 16" or 21", they recommended I get the 16" one. FWIW.