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Choosing the right scissor lift pallet truck

Scissor lift pallet trucks, also known as high lift pallet trucks, are extremely versatile for two reasons: they allow you to transport palletised goods over short distances and move them up and down. In contrast to our hand pallet trucks, box pallets up to 1500kg can be moved both horizontally and vertically using a manual or electro-hydraulic mechanism (depending on the model), which can adjust the height of the lifting surface up to 800mm high. This also means that our scissor pallet trucks can be used in a variety of ways, such as for use as workbenches or as storage shelves. You can even use them as standing desks by adjusting their height to a practical, back-friendly working level.

Each of our scissor lift pallet trucks has two forks, a scissor mechanism for lifting the forks, stabilisers on each side and steering castors that vary in size depending on the device’s lifting height. Stability, security and safety are all achieved through steel rods arranged in an X-shape under the forks, which move like scissors when the forks are raised and lowered. From heights of 400mm and up, the device’s feet fix it in place to ensure it can stand safely even when carrying heavy loads at full height. Additionally, an overload valve protects the hydraulic system from malfunctioning.

As well as basic and premium pallet scissor lifts, we also offer models with extra features. Some devices are equipped with scales that display the gross and net weight of the load and have a memory of individual load weights, while others come with Bluetooth functionality. For jobs where hygiene and cleanliness matter most, such as in catering, we also offer stainless steel pallet trucks.

1. Fork length

The fork length is an important factor to consider when choosing a manual or electric high lift pallet truck, as it will determine the device’s lifting range, load capacity and area of application. Most models have a standard fork length of 1150mm, but scissor lift trucks from Ameise® and Jungheinrich are also available in different fork lengths and can pick up special-sized pallets. Below, you’ll find more information about how the lifting range and load capacity can change with the fork length and model:

Fork type Length(s) Parameters determined by the fork length
Standard
  • 1150mm
  • Lifting range: 85–800mm
  • Load capacity: 1000kg
  • Use: Transporting Euro-palettes
Short forks (Ameise® models)
  • 700mm
  • 900mm
  • Lifting range: 85–500mm (with 700mm forks); 85–600mm (with 900mm forks)
  • Load capacity: 1500kg (from a height of 470mm, the lifting capacity is reduced from 1500kg to 1000kg)
  • Use: Picking up and transporting quarter, half or display pallets
Long forks (Ameise® models)
  • 1200mm
  • 1520mm
  • Lifting range: 85–800mm (with 1200mm forks); 90–800mm (with 1520mm)
  • Load capacity: 1500kg (with 1200mm and 1520mm forks – (from a height of 470mm, the lifting capacity is reduced from 1500kg to 1000kg)
  • Use: Picking up pallets with excess width or length; transporting several pallets at the same time

The carry width for almost all our high lift pallet jacks is 540-560mm. However, some scissor lift trucks from Ameise® and Jungheinrich also have special fork carrying widths of 680 or 685mm. This also allows you to pick up pallets from different sides.

2. Lift drive

Ameise® PTM 1.0 scissor lift pallet truck with quick lift

At Jungheinrich PROFISHOP, you can buy scissor lift pallet trucks with either manual or electric scissor lifts. All devices operate using a hydraulic system, but whether they’re manual or electric depends on the model. Transporting loads is always done manually, however.

  • With manually operated scissor lift trucks, you can raise the load using either a tiller bar with a handle or a foot pedal (depending on the model). To lower the load, you can either use the release lever on the tiller head (for Ameise® models) or the lowering function on the tiller handle (for Jungheinrich models). Manually operated hydraulic scissor trucks may also have a mode for quick lifting of light loads. If you intend to keep loads at a set working height for an extended period and in a fixed location in your warehouse, a manual scissor lift truck is often sufficient.
  • With electro-hydraulic scissor trucks, you can raise and lower loads through a motor just by pressing a button. These industrial pallet scissor lifts can raise heavy loads to the desired working height without any physical effort on your part, making them ideal if you plan to change locations and working heights frequently. Models equipped with a stabilising position control make them even more convenient as a workbench or standing desk. All electro-hydraulic models come with an integrated battery charger.

3. Tyres

Most high lift pallet trucks available in the Jungheinrich PROFISHOP online store are equipped with steering castors and rollers made from a highly robust polyurethane (PU), but models with nylon rollers are also available. With the Ameise® models with variable fork lengths, the polyurethane rollers are installed in a tandem structure. This distributes the load weight better, making these models much smoother and more stable when used on uneven ground or driven over speed bumps. This also reduces general wear-and-tear on each individual roller.

For Jungheinrich high lift pallet jacks, you can select the tyres for the steering castors based on floor conditions and areas of application:

Tyre material Features Application
Polyurethane (PU)
  • Flexible and resistant
  • Quiet when rolling
  • Shock-absorbing
  • Reduced wear
  • Highly durable
  • Low rolling resistance
  • Non-marking
  • Temperature resistant between -20°C and 80°C
  • Oil and grease resistant
  • Long service life
  • For use on hard and delicate floors
Nylon (polyamide)
  • Resistant to acids and alkalis
  • Fairly loud when rolling
  • More susceptible to impacts
  • Reduced wear
  • Scratch and abrasion resistant
  • Low rolling resistance
  • Non-marking
  • Temperature resistant between -40°C and 90°C
  • High surface pressure
  • Suitable for food and chemical industries
  • For use on smooth and even floors
  • Only suitable to a limited extent on delicate or pressure-sensitive floors (e.g. tiles)
Hard rubber
  • Good traction on rough, uneven, damp and smooth floors
  • Quiet when rolling
  • Impact resistant
  • Tough and resilient
  • High rolling resistance
  • Can create slight floor marks
  • Temperature resistant between -5°C and 80°C
  • Very smooth rolling
  • High elasticity
  • Good load distribution
  • For environments where noise needs to be kept to a minimum (e.g. when loading goods at night)
  • For applications where special traction is required (e.g. on uneven floors, for outdoor use in damp conditions or for use on ramps)

4. Accessories for scissor lift pallet trucks

At Jungheinrich PROFISHOP, you can find a wide range of accessories for a variety of different scissor lift pallet trucks. Our attachments and add-ons enable you to better adapt the equipment to your specific needs and work environment, making your job much more efficient and comfortable. Here’s what we offer by way of accessories:

Accessory Details Available on What Models?
Side support rollers
  • These enable the scissor lift to be moved while in the raised position

Jungheinrich models

Position control
  • This keeps the set working height constant
  • Forks lower automatically when loaded and raise automatically when unloaded

Ameise® models with variable fork lengths

Do you have any questions?