Crown PTH50 Pallet Jack

The Crown PTH50 represents Crown Equipment's approach to manual pallet jacks—prioritizing durability, ergonomics, and long-term value over competing at the lowest price point. For operations that view pallet jacks as productivity tools rather than disposable commodities, the PTH50 delivers premium quality that justifies its higher initial cost.

Manual pallet jacks may seem like simple equipment, but operators who use them daily know the difference between well-designed tools and cheap alternatives. The Crown PTH50 incorporates decades of material handling expertise into a hand pallet truck built for demanding commercial use.

This guide covers PTH50 specifications, features, maintenance requirements, and how it compares to alternatives in the manual pallet jack market.

PTH50 overview

The PTH Series is Crown's manual pallet jack line, with the PTH50 being the standard-capacity model designed for typical warehouse and commercial applications.

Design philosophy

Crown designed the PTH50 with several priorities:

Operator comfort. Ergonomic handle reduces fatigue during extended use.
Durability. Heavy-gauge steel construction for long service life.
Smooth operation. Precision hydraulics for easy pumping and controlled lowering.
Serviceability. Designed for straightforward maintenance and parts replacement.

Primary applications

Distribution and warehousing
Retail back-room operations
Manufacturing material handling
Shipping and receiving docks
General commercial pallet movement

Specifications

Capacity and dimensions

Specification	Value
Load capacity	2,270 kg (5,000 lb)
Fork length (standard)	1,143 mm (45 in)
Fork length (options)	914-1,219 mm (36-48 in)
Fork width (outside)	686 mm (27 in) standard
Fork width (inside)	178 mm (7 in) each fork
Lowered fork height	75 mm (2.9 in)
Raised fork height	190 mm (7.5 in)
Overall length	1,549 mm (61 in) with 45" forks
Overall width	686 mm (27 in)

Wheels and steering

Specification	Value
Steer wheel diameter	180 mm (7 in)
Steer wheel width	50 mm (2 in)
Load wheel diameter	80 mm (3.15 in)
Load wheel width	70 mm (2.75 in)
Steer wheel material	Polyurethane
Load wheel material	Polyurethane or nylon
Load wheel type	Single or tandem
Steering angle	~200°

Weight and other specs

Specification	Value
Unit weight	~75 kg (165 lb)
Hydraulic pump type	Sealed precision pump
Lifting mechanism	Single-acting hydraulic
Lift strokes to max height	10-12 strokes typical

Key features

Ergonomic handle design

The PTH50 handle incorporates several ergonomic improvements:

Three-position control. Raise, neutral, and lower positions with positive detents.
Comfortable grip. Shaped grip reduces hand fatigue during extended use.
Return spring. Handle returns to upright position when released.
Operator protection. Handle position keeps hands clear of obstructions.

Precision hydraulic system

Quick lift feature. Fewer strokes needed for light loads.
Smooth pumping. Precision-machined pump components for low effort.
Controlled lowering. Proportional release valve for safe, gradual descent.
Overload protection. Bypass valve prevents damage from overloading.
Leak resistance. Quality seals and O-rings for reliable service.

Durable construction

Fork construction. Heavy-gauge steel formed channel design.
Frame. Reinforced steel frame resists deflection under load.
Finish. Durable powder coat paint resists corrosion and wear.
Entry rollers. Guide forks into pallets, reducing damage to both.

Wheel options

Crown offers wheel configurations for different applications:

Polyurethane load wheels. Best for most indoor applications—quiet, good traction, floor-friendly.
Nylon load wheels. For wet environments, chemical resistance, or where polyurethane would swell.
Tandem load wheels. Distribute load for rough floors and easier pallet entry.
Single load wheels. Standard option, adequate for smooth floors.

PTH50 variants

Crown offers the PTH in several configurations beyond the standard model.

PTH50 Heavy Duty

Capacity. 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) rating.
Construction. Reinforced components for higher loads.
Wheels. Larger diameter wheels for improved performance.
Best for. Operations regularly handling maximum loads.

PTH Low Profile

Fork height. Lower minimum height for low-clearance pallets.
Application. Display pallets, specialty skids, imported pallets with low openings.
Trade-off. Reduced lift stroke range.

PTH with Scale

Features. Integrated weighing system with digital display.
Accuracy. Typically ±0.5% of load.
Functions. Weight display, tare, accumulation, data output on some models.
Best for. Shipping departments, inventory control, process weighing.
Price premium. Approximately $800-1,200 over standard model.

PTH Stainless Steel

Construction. Stainless steel forks, frame, and fasteners.
Application. Food processing, pharmaceutical, clean room environments.
Features. Corrosion resistance, washdown capability, hygienic design.
Price premium. 2-3x standard model cost.

Fork length options

36" (914 mm). Short forks for confined spaces, small pallets.
42" (1,067 mm). For 40" pallets or tight maneuvering.
45" (1,143 mm). Standard length for 48" pallets.
48" (1,219 mm). Full support for 48" pallets, better load distribution.

Operation

Basic operation

Entering pallet. Align forks with pallet openings, push forward until forks are fully inserted.
Raising load. Move handle control to raise position, pump handle with full strokes.
Transport. Move handle to neutral, pull or push pallet jack to destination.
Lowering. Move handle control to lower position, control descent speed.
Exiting pallet. With forks fully lowered, pull straight back.

Operating tips

Center load on forks for best stability and steering
Pull loads when possible for better visibility and control
Avoid sudden stops and direction changes with heavy loads
Keep forks low during transport
Watch for floor transitions, bumps, and debris
Use tandem wheels on rough floors or damaged pallets

What to avoid

Exceeding rated capacity
Riding on the pallet jack
Pulling with handle in raised position (risk of losing control)
Operating on severe slopes
Using damaged or bent forks

Maintenance

Daily inspection

Before each use, check:

Forks for visible damage, bends, or cracks
Wheels for damage, debris wrapped on axles
Handle operation—all three positions function
Lift and lower function—smooth operation, no leaks
General condition—nothing loose or broken

Periodic maintenance

Weekly. Clean equipment, check wheel condition, inspect for damage.
Monthly. Check hydraulic oil level, lubricate pivot points, tighten fasteners.
Quarterly. Detailed inspection, wheel bearing check, hydraulic system review.
Annually. Complete service—hydraulic seals, all wear items, professional inspection.

For detailed maintenance procedures, see our pallet jack maintenance guide.

Common wear items

Load wheels. Replace when worn flat or damaged.
Steer wheels. Replace when worn or cracked.
Hydraulic seals. Replace if leaking or fork drift develops.
Handle grip. Replace if cracked or uncomfortable.
Entry rollers. Replace if damaged or missing.

Hydraulic fluid

The PTH50 uses standard hydraulic jack oil:

Check level monthly with forks lowered
Top up with ISO VG 32 hydraulic oil if low
Change fluid every 2-3 years or if contaminated
Bleed air if operation becomes spongy

See our pallet jack hydraulic oil guide for details.

Pricing

PTH50 pricing

Model	Approximate Price
PTH50 standard	$450-600
PTH50 heavy duty	$500-700
PTH50 low profile	$500-650
PTH50 with scale	$1,200-1,800
PTH50 stainless steel	$1,500-2,500

Value comparison

The PTH50 costs more than budget alternatives but delivers value through:

Longer service life. Built to last 10+ years with proper maintenance.
Lower maintenance costs. Quality components wear slower, fail less.
Better operator experience. Ergonomics reduce fatigue and improve productivity.
Parts availability. Crown parts readily available through dealer network.
Resale value. Crown equipment retains value better than budget brands.

Comparison to alternatives

PTH50 vs. budget pallet jacks

Factor	Crown PTH50	Budget Options
Price	$450-600	$200-300
Expected life	10-15 years	3-5 years
Ergonomics	Excellent	Basic
Hydraulic quality	Premium	Adequate
Parts availability	Excellent	Variable
Warranty	1-3 years	90 days-1 year

PTH50 vs. Toyota hand pallet truck

Quality. Both premium quality; comparable construction.
Price. Similar pricing at dealer level.
Features. Crown often leads in ergonomic innovation.
Service. Both have strong dealer networks.
Choice factor. Often comes down to existing fleet or dealer relationship.

Where to buy

Crown dealers. Authorized dealers provide full support and warranty.
Industrial suppliers. Some distributors carry Crown equipment.
Used market. Quality used PTH50s available; inspect before purchase.

For the complete Crown product line, see our Crown pallet jack guide.