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How to choose the right short fork pallet truck

Short fork pallet trucks make it easier to move palletised goods over short distances, particularly where space is limited. Their compact design helps with manoeuvring in storage rooms, shipping containers and narrow aisles, while their straightforward operation and minimal maintenance make them practical for regular use.

Unlike our standard models, which have a fork length of 1150 mm, the fork length of our short pallet trucks varies from just 600 mm to 1054 mm. The short fork pallet trucks also have a small turning radius, giving them excellent manoeuvrability, and are ideally suited for transport in lorries or vans.

At Jungheinrich PROFISHOP, we have models by Jungheinrich and Ameise® in different configurations, including fork lengths, load capacities and wheel types.

1. Choose the right short pallet jack fork length and width

Product image no. 1: Jungheinrich AM 22 hand pallet truck with quick lift, load capacity 2,200 kg, special width across forks 680 mm, fork length 950 mm, solid rubber / polyurethane

The fork length and the distance across the forks help determine which pallets and loads a pallet truck can handle. Short fork pallet trucks can be suitable for special-format pallets, including display, half and quarter pallets. They can also be used to move general cargo such as cartons and boxes, depending on the truck’s fork dimensions. Here are the models that we stock and their available fork lengths at a glance:

Brand Available fork lengths
Jungheinrich AM 22
  • 600 mm
  • 795 mm
  • 902 mm

  • 950 mm
  • 1054 mm

Ameise®

  • 800 mm
  • 1000 mm

Our Jungheinrich AM 22 model series also includes pallet jacks with short forks and a special fork width. Unlike the standard hand pallet truck models, which have a fork width of 520-540 mm, these variants offer a width of 680mm. These short fork pallet trucks can also pick up pallets and their embossed markings indicate the exact position at which pallets can be picked up and transported.

2. Buy short fork pallet trucks with the right load capacity

Load capacity varies by model, so make sure that you check the rated capacity on the product listing before choosing a truck. Our short pallet jacks have a maximum load capacity of up to 2200 kg, depending on the model. Select a model that can safely handle the heaviest load you expect to move, including occasional peak loads, and never exceed its rated capacity.

When making your selection, you should also observe the specified load centre and ensure that the load is evenly distributed across the forks. For more guidance, see our guide to load capacity for industrial trucks.

3. Roller equipment and tyres for short pallet trucks

Our short fork pallet trucks are available with different wheel and roller configurations. Depending on the model, your truck may have single or tandem fork rollers. Tandem fork rollers can help the truck travel over uneven floors or speed bumps. They also distribute the load across more rollers, supporting smoother movement and helping to reduce wear on individual rollers.

You can also choose from different wheel and roller materials, depending on the model of your short pallet truck and your work environment:

Wheel/roller material Polyurethane (PU) Nylon Solid rubber
Available for
  • Fork and steering castors
  • Fork and steering castors
  • Castors
Properties
  • Flexible and resistant
  • Non-marking
  • Shock-absorbing
  • Long service life
  • Oil and grease-resistant
  • Hard-wearing and abrasion-resistant
  • Non-chalking
  • More susceptible to impact damage
  • Resistant to acids and alkalis

  • Particularly resistant
  • Durable and elastic

  • Slight chalking
  • Good load distribution
  • Good grip even on rough, uneven, damp, and smooth floors
Rolling and running characteristics
  • Low rolling resistance
  • Quiet operation
  • Low rolling resistance
  • Loud operation
  • Higher rolling resistance
  • Smooth operation
Temperature resistance
  • -20°C to 80°C
  • -40 °C to 90 °C
  • -5 °C to 80 °C
Suitable applications
  • Hard and delicate floors
  • Food and chemical industries

  • Smooth and even floors
  • Use with care on soft or pressure-sensitive floors such as tiles

  • Environments where noise needs to be kept to a minimum
  • For applications that require good traction, e.g. on uneven floors, damp outdoor areas, or when used on ramps

4. Low-entry short pallet truck models

Product image no. 1: Ameise® PTM 2.0 hand pallet truck, load capacity 2,000 kg, fork length 800 mm, solid rubber / polyurethane, tandem rollers

In addition to the shortened fork length, these hand pallet trucks offer a particularly low entry height and very flat forks. This allows them to pick up pallets and other drive-under load carriers with low openings, including low disposable pallets and flat pallets with reduced entry height. Just like our standard entry height short fork pallet trucks, these models can accommodate display, half, and quarter pallets.

Since their ground clearance is very low, these models are recommended for use on flat, smooth surfaces.



5. Additional features and equipment for short fork pallet trucks

Some short fork pallet jacks include features designed to make lifting and handling goods easier:

  • Quick lift: Selected Jungheinrich AM 22 models include a quick-lift function for loads up to 120 kg. On the listed quick-lift models, three pump strokes lift a pallet clear of the floor and five reach the maximum lift height. Check the individual product specifications for the load limit and operating details.
  • Grease fittings: The listed Ameise® PTM 2.0 has a grease nipple for lubrication with a grease gun. Jungheinrich AM 22 models have lifetime-lubricated connections and maintenance-free pump hydraulics. Check each product listing for model-specific maintenance details.

Do you have any questions?