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How do you operate a high lift truck?

High lift trucks are usually found in areas such as wholesale and retail, warehousing and freight forwarding. While manual high lift trucks are particularly suitable for short distances, longer distances can also be easily managed with electric reach trucks. They are the perfect support for storing pallets in high racks and transporting them from A to B. With electric high lift trucks, goods can be stored up to a height of 6 m. This in turn makes the use and purchase of expensive forklifts superfluous. Since the use of most reach trucks does not require a forklift license, you not only save money on the purchase, but are also more flexible in the use of the equipment. Compared to a low lift truck, the high lift truck also has a lifting frame and a fork carriage. Higher quality high lift trucks are also equipped with a free lift mast, which enables goods to be lifted without the mast extending and thus the height of the forklift changing. This means that many high lift trucks can also navigate through doors with raised loads or can be used without any problems in low ceilings.

High lift truck operation 1

1

Stand behind the pallet truck . Operate the small lever in the middle of the handle on the tiller.

High lift truck operation 1

2

Push the lowering lever up [or towards you] to lower the forks. [Note that if the forks do not descend completely, this could be a sign of too much hydraulic oil in the lift cylinder.] If the forks are already fully lowered, you will not see them move.

High lift truck operation 1

3

Push the forks under the pallet. Be a little more careful at first, as it may happen that the pallet truck has not been lowered sufficiently. Please always check this before driving under the goods or pallet.

High lift truck operation 1

4

Press the lever all the way down again. As soon as you have moved the forks completely under the pallet, [it is important that you have moved the forks completely under the pallet so that you do not just lift the load with the tips of the forks. This could bend the forks, press the lever in the drawbar handle all the way down again, in this lever position you can now lift the pallet by moving the drawbar from top to bottom in a pumping motion. Alternatively, you can also perform the pumping movement with the foot lever, which saves energy and time. The pallet is slowly pushed upwards by the pressure and can then be transported. Electric high lift trucks are much more ergonomic and energy-saving to use, especially during this step.

High lift truck operation 1

5

Return the lifter to the neutral position. When the goods have been pumped to the desired height, return the lifter to the neutral position within the drawbar handle. As soon as the pallet is lifted and is not dragging, you can start moving the pallet truck. There are two handles on the lifting mast for precise maneuvering of the device. For longer distances, however, the drawbar is suitable for pulling the pallet truck.

Questions & Answers

What are the areas of application for a high lift truck?

High lift trucks are special because of their size alone. Accordingly, manual high lift trucks and electric reach trucks are particularly suitable for versatile and special work, especially in the storage area. Examples are the following:

  • Storing goods at heights of up to 6 meters
  • transport of goods on a vertical and horizontal level
  • loading of means of transport (especially trucks)
  • lifting by foot and hand pressure
  • Working in narrow paths and areas
  • Storage of all common pallet formats
  • wholesale, retail, food and beverage industry
  • What types of high lift trucks are there?

    Manual high lift truck or hand high lift truck

      With a manual high lift truck, the operator has to operate and move the load himself with the help of the hydraulics. This is usually an advantage if you do not have to transport heavy loads or if you want to maneuver in very tight spaces. In addition, the foot lever or foot pump supports the simple process of hydraulic lifting.

    Semi-electric high lift trucks

      Semi-electric high lift trucks drive manually and lift electrically. Particularly suitable for short distances, these devices are particularly energy-saving and ergonomic to use. With lifting heights of usually up to 3.5 meters, they are very versatile.

    fully electric high lift truck

      The fully electronic high lift truck is the king of high lift trucks. Not only the lifting of the load, but also the driving of the machine is fully electric and is powered by a corresponding electric motor. It is the perfect support for working in high-bay warehouses. With the help of the free lift function, loads can be moved and lifted even with low ceiling heights. A fully electronic high lift truck is characterized above all by the fact that it is very easy to operate and you can organize your everyday life extremely efficiently. Thanks to its design for continuous operation and the low purchase costs compared to expensive forklifts and the low maintenance costs, an electric high lift truck quickly pays for itself.