Crown Walkie Pallet Jack

Crown's WP series electric walkie pallet jacks represent the company's engineering philosophy applied to powered material handling. With proprietary AC motors, regenerative braking, and ergonomic controls, these walkies deliver the performance and reliability that high-volume distribution operations demand.

Electric walkie pallet jacks bridge the gap between manual hand trucks and ride-on equipment. They provide powered travel and lifting while keeping operators walking alongside—ideal for short to medium transport distances with frequent stops. Crown's WP series offers several models scaled from basic warehouse use to demanding distribution center applications.

This guide covers Crown's electric walkie lineup, key technologies, specifications, and what makes these units stand out in a competitive market.

Crown WP Series overview

The WP (Walkie Pallet truck) series includes multiple models designed for different intensity levels and applications.

WP 3000 Series

Crown's standard electric walkie for general warehouse applications.

Capacity. 2,000-2,700 kg (4,500-6,000 lb) depending on model.
Travel speed. Up to 6.4 km/h (4 mph).
Lift speed. 0.03 m/s loaded.
Battery. 24V system with various capacity options.
Target application. General warehousing, receiving, shipping.

WP 3200 Series

Enhanced performance for higher-throughput operations.

Capacity. 2,000-2,700 kg (4,500-6,000 lb).
Enhanced features. Faster speeds, larger battery options, advanced controls.
Target application. Distribution centers, high-volume shipping.

WP 3400 Series

Premium walkie with Crown's most advanced technologies.

e-GEN system. Electronic regenerative braking and lowering.
Advanced ergonomics. Premium handle with fingertip controls.
Connectivity. InfoLink telematics ready.
Target application. Demanding distribution, multi-shift operations.

Specifications

WP 3045-45 specifications (representative model)

Specification	Value
Capacity	2,045 kg (4,500 lb)
Fork length	1,143 mm (45 in) standard
Fork width (outside)	686 mm (27 in)
Lowered fork height	79 mm (3.1 in)
Raised fork height	203 mm (8 in)
Overall length (forks extended)	1,880 mm (74 in)
Overall width	686 mm (27 in)
Travel speed (loaded)	5.6 km/h (3.5 mph)
Travel speed (unloaded)	6.4 km/h (4 mph)
Lift speed (loaded)	0.03 m/s
Gradeability (loaded)	5%

Power system

Specification	Value
System voltage	24V
Drive motor	AC motor
Lift motor	DC motor
Battery capacity options	375-930 Ah
Battery weight	272-544 kg (600-1,200 lb) typical

WP 3060-45 (6,000 lb model)

Specification	Value
Capacity	2,725 kg (6,000 lb)
Travel speed (loaded)	6.4 km/h (4 mph)
Battery capacity options	450-930 Ah
Gradeability (loaded)	5%

Key technologies

AC traction drive

Crown's walkie pallet jacks use AC (alternating current) drive motors rather than traditional DC motors:

No brushes. AC motors have no brushes to wear out or replace.
Higher efficiency. Better energy conversion means longer runtime.
Consistent performance. Power delivery doesn't fade as battery discharges.
Longer life. Fewer wear components extend motor life significantly.
Reduced maintenance. No brush inspection or replacement required.

e-GEN braking system (WP 3400)

Crown's electronic regenerative system provides:

Regenerative braking. Converts braking energy back to battery charge.
Regenerative lowering. Recovers energy when lowering loads.
Extended runtime. Energy recovery adds up to 15% more operational time.
Reduced brake wear. Electronic braking reduces mechanical brake usage.
Smooth control. Proportional response for precise maneuvering.

Access 1 2 3 diagnostics

Crown's multi-level diagnostic system:

Level 1. Simple status indicators visible to operator.
Level 2. Expanded diagnostics for supervisors and trained personnel.
Level 3. Complete system analysis for service technicians.

This approach speeds troubleshooting and reduces diagnostic guesswork.

InfoLink telematics

Crown's fleet management system (optional on most models):

Real-time location and status tracking
Operator access control and authentication
Usage and productivity reporting
Impact and event monitoring
Maintenance scheduling and alerts
Battery management and monitoring

Ergonomic features

Crown emphasizes operator comfort and efficiency in their walkie designs.

Handle design

Fingertip controls. Throttle and lift/lower accessible without changing grip.
Low effort steering. Designed for easy maneuvering through shifts.
Padded grip. Reduces vibration and hand fatigue.
Horn button. Conveniently positioned for quick access.

Control features

Proportional controls. Speed responds to throttle position—not just on/off.
Creep speed. Very slow speed for precise positioning.
Auto deceleration. Slows automatically when approaching obstacles or walls.
Belly button reverse. Emergency stop if operator is pinned.

Stability features

Low center of gravity. Battery positioned for stability.
Cornering control. Automatic speed reduction in turns.
Traction control. Prevents wheel slip on slippery surfaces.

Battery options

Lead-acid batteries

Traditional flooded lead-acid remains common:

Capacity options. 375-930 Ah depending on model and compartment.
Runtime. 6-8+ hours typical with appropriate sizing.
Charging. Conventional charger, 8-10 hour charge time.
Maintenance. Weekly water checks required.
Cost. Lower initial cost than lithium alternatives.

Lithium-ion options

Crown offers lithium battery options on select models:

Fast charging. Opportunity charging during breaks.
No watering. Maintenance-free operation.
Longer life. 2-3x cycle life versus lead-acid.
Consistent power. Flat discharge curve maintains performance.
Higher cost. 2-3x initial cost versus lead-acid.

For more on battery technology, see our forklift batteries guide.

Battery selection guidance

Single shift, standard use. Standard lead-acid adequate.
Multi-shift operation. Consider larger battery or lithium for opportunity charging.
Cold storage. Specify cold-rated batteries for freezer applications.
High intensity. Larger capacity or lithium for demanding throughput.

Pricing

New equipment pricing

Model Series	Approximate Price Range
WP 3000 (4,500 lb)	$4,500-6,000
WP 3000 (6,000 lb)	$5,500-7,000
WP 3200 series	$5,500-8,500
WP 3400 series	$7,000-11,000

Prices vary significantly based on specifications, options, battery, and dealer relationships.

Additional costs

Battery. Often quoted separately; $1,500-4,000+ depending on type and capacity.
Charger. $500-2,000 for conventional; more for fast/opportunity chargers.
InfoLink. Subscription-based telematics system.
Extended warranty. Available at additional cost.

Total cost of ownership

Crown walkies typically deliver lower total cost despite higher purchase price:

Longer service life (10+ years common)
Lower maintenance costs (AC motor, quality components)
Better energy efficiency (regenerative systems)
Higher resale value

Comparison to competitors

Crown vs. Toyota electric walkies

Both. Premium quality, strong dealer support, reliable performance.
Crown advantage. In-house motor and controls; more innovative technology.
Toyota advantage. Broader product range; stronger global presence.
Decision factor. Often existing fleet standardization or dealer relationship.

Crown vs. Raymond

Both. Strong in distribution and warehouse applications.
Crown advantage. Wider range from basic to premium; manual options.
Raymond advantage. Strong in narrow aisle and reach applications.

Crown vs. value brands

Price difference. Crown costs 40-70% more than economy options.
Crown advantages. AC motors, regenerative systems, diagnostic capabilities.
Value consideration. Premium cost often justified by performance and longevity.

For complete brand analysis, see our pallet jack brands guide.

Maintenance

Daily checks

Visual inspection for damage
Check battery charge level
Test lift and lower function
Verify horn and safety features work
Check wheels for damage or debris

Periodic maintenance

Weekly. Clean equipment, check wheel condition, battery water (lead-acid).
Monthly. Lubricate as specified, check connections, inspect forks.
Quarterly. Detailed inspection, brake check, hydraulic system review.
Annually. Professional service, load test, safety inspection.

Crown service advantages

Access 1 2 3 simplifies troubleshooting
Crown-trained technicians at dealers
Parts availability through dealer network
Planned maintenance programs available

Where to buy

Crown dealers. Full sales, service, and parts support.
Crown branches. Company-owned facilities in many markets.
Used equipment. Crown certified pre-owned program available.
Rental and lease. Available through Crown dealer network.

For the complete Crown lineup, see our Crown pallet jack guide.