Beth Fork asked: 

Pallet  trucks are machines designed to lift and move a series of 
stacked  pallets easily and safely. The pallet is positioned into
 the pallets  using the two front forks, they are then jacked up so
 they are off the  floor, and the steering handle and wheels are 
used to more the pallets  to where they need to go.

Here are 5 things you know about pallet trucks if you are thinking
 about buying one or using one:

1. Different Names  – pallet trucks are called a few different names
 such as pallet jacks,  pump truck, and hand pallet truck. All of 
which refer to the same  machine which lifts stacks of pallets and 
moves them around with ease.

2. Manual or Powered Pallet Trucks  – pallet trucks are available 
in a wide range including manual or  powered. As the name suggests 
the manual pallet truck requires manual  effort and the powered 
pallet truck is electric and does everything for  you.

3. Pallet Trucks for Food Industries – if  you are using a pallet 
truck in the food industry then you will need a  Galvanised Pallet
 Truck. This type of pallet truck is corrosive free  and fully 
sealed so no rust or oxidation from the pallet truck is  transferred
 to the food products in motion.

4. Pallet Trucks for Chemical Industries  – as with the food industry
 with chemicals and pharmaceutical products  it is necessary to 
protect the goods and so special pallet trucks need  to be used. 
Galvanised and Stainless Steel Pallet Trucks are used in  this 
industry because they have protective sealants to avoid contamination.

5. Pallet Trucks that Weigh – to  make your job easier you can 
purchase pallet trucks with weighing  scales built into them so you
 don’t have to struggle weighing the  pallets and you don’t have to
 guess. Overloading the pallet truck can  cause it to fail and will
 eventually break.

You can find more  information about pallet trucks and their uses 
online by visiting  websites or by visiting your local supplier and
 talking to a sales  representative. Be sure you know your 
requirements of pallet truck  before you purchase one and take on 
board the advice given to you by  the company selling it to you.