Electric Pallet Jacks

Electric pallet jacks transform manual pallet handling into powered efficiency. These battery-operated trucks handle the physical work of moving loads, allowing operators to focus on navigation and load placement while dramatically reducing fatigue and increasing throughput in warehouse and distribution environments.

When operations grow beyond what manual pallet jacks can efficiently handle, electric pallet jacks provide the logical upgrade. They bridge the gap between simple hand trucks and full-size forklifts, offering powered travel and lifting in a compact, walkable format.

This guide covers electric pallet jack types, specifications, selection criteria, and the factors that determine when electric beats manual.

Types of electric pallet jacks

Walkie pallet trucks

The most common electric pallet jack type—operator walks behind or alongside.

Capacity. Typically 2,000-3,000 kg (4,500-6,600 lb).
Travel speed. 5-6.5 km/h (3-4 mph) typical.
Best for. Dock work, trailer loading, short-to-medium transport distances.
Price range. $3,500-8,000.

Rider pallet trucks (end rider)

Include a platform for the operator to ride, increasing speed and reducing fatigue.

Capacity. 2,000-4,000 kg (4,500-8,800 lb).
Travel speed. 10-13 km/h (6-8 mph).
Best for. Longer transport distances, high-volume operations.
Price range. $8,000-18,000.

Center rider pallet trucks

Operator stands in center of machine, facing forward.

Capacity. 2,700-4,500 kg (6,000-10,000 lb).
Speed. Up to 14 km/h (8.7 mph).
Best for. Long horizontal transport, distribution center aisles.
Price range. $15,000-30,000.

Walkie stackers

Electric pallet jacks with mast for vertical lifting.

Lift height. 2-5+ metres (6-16+ feet).
Capacity. 1,000-2,000 kg (2,200-4,400 lb) typical.
Best for. Low-level racking, stacking, truck loading.
Price range. $5,000-15,000.

Powered pallet trucks with scales

Integrate weighing capability for inventory and shipping.

Accuracy. Typically ±0.5% of load.
Features. Digital display, tare function, data output.
Best for. Shipping departments, inventory control.
Price premium. $1,500-4,000 over standard units.

Specifications

Walkie pallet jack specs

Specification	Typical Range
Load capacity	2,000-3,000 kg (4,500-6,600 lb)
Fork length	1,143-1,219 mm (45-48 in)
Fork width (outside)	540-685 mm (21-27 in)
Lowered height	75-85 mm (3-3.3 in)
Raised height	190-210 mm (7.5-8.3 in)
Travel speed (loaded)	5-6 km/h (3-3.7 mph)
Lift speed (loaded)	0.03-0.04 m/s
Gradeability (loaded)	3-5%
Battery voltage	24V
Battery capacity	200-620 Ah
Service weight	300-500 kg (660-1,100 lb)

Rider pallet truck specs

Specification	Typical Range
Load capacity	2,700-4,000 kg (6,000-8,800 lb)
Travel speed (loaded)	10-13 km/h (6-8 mph)
Battery voltage	24V
Battery capacity	400-930 Ah
Service weight	600-900 kg (1,320-1,980 lb)

Electric vs. manual pallet jacks

When to choose electric

Volume. Moving more than 20-30 pallets per day.
Distance. Average move distance over 30 metres (100 feet).
Weight. Regularly handling loads over 500 kg (1,100 lb).
Shifts. Multiple shift operations.
Operator health. Reducing physical strain and injury risk.
Speed. When throughput is critical.

When manual is sufficient

Low volume. Fewer than 20 pallets per day.
Short distances. Moves under 15-20 metres.
Light loads. Typical loads under 500 kg.
Budget constraints. Manual jacks cost $300-700 vs. $4,000+.
Simplicity. No charging infrastructure or battery maintenance.

Cost comparison

Factor	Manual	Electric Walkie
Purchase price	$300-700	$4,000-8,000
Battery cost	N/A	$1,500-4,000+
Charger cost	N/A	$500-2,000
Annual maintenance	$100-200	$500-1,500
Energy cost/year	$0	$200-500
Service life	5-10 years	8-15 years

Productivity comparison

Pallets per hour. Electric handles 2-3x more pallets than manual.
Operator fatigue. Electric dramatically reduces physical strain.
Consistency. Electric maintains speed regardless of operator fatigue.
Injury risk. Lower musculoskeletal injury rates with electric.

Battery options

Lead-acid batteries

Traditional flooded lead-acid remains common and cost-effective.

Cost. $1,500-3,000 for typical sizes.
Runtime. 5-8 hours depending on capacity and use.
Charging time. 8-10 hours for full charge.
Maintenance. Weekly watering required.
Lifespan. 1,000-1,500 cycles (4-6 years typical).

AGM batteries

Sealed lead-acid requiring no watering.

Cost. 20-30% more than flooded.
Maintenance. No watering needed.
Lifespan. Similar to flooded when properly maintained.
Best for. Operations wanting reduced maintenance.

Lithium-ion batteries

Growing adoption due to operational advantages.

Cost. 2-3x lead-acid initial cost.
Runtime. Longer, more consistent power delivery.
Charging. Opportunity charging during breaks, 1-2 hour full charge.
Maintenance. Zero maintenance required.
Lifespan. 2,500-5,000+ cycles (10+ years).
Weight. Lighter, may require counterweight.

For complete battery information, see our forklift batteries guide.

Battery selection factors

Single shift, moderate use. Standard lead-acid usually sufficient.
Multi-shift operations. Consider larger battery, battery change system, or lithium.
Cold storage. Specify cold-rated batteries.
Opportunity charging available. Lithium provides flexibility.
Total cost of ownership. Lithium often lower over equipment life despite higher purchase price.

Key features to consider

Drive system

AC motors. More efficient, longer life, no brushes to replace.
DC motors. Traditional, lower initial cost, brush replacement needed.
Regenerative braking. Returns energy to battery, extends runtime.

Controls

Proportional throttle. Speed varies with throttle position.
Creep speed. Very slow speed for precise positioning.
Lift/lower controls. Fingertip access without changing grip.
Emergency reverse. "Belly button" reverses if operator is pinned.

Safety features

Automatic braking. Stops when handle released.
Slow-down in turns. Automatic speed reduction when steering.
Operator presence. Won't operate without operator at handle.
Anti-rollback. Prevents rolling on grades.
Horn and lights. Warning systems for pedestrian areas.

Ergonomic features

Handle design. Comfortable grip, low vibration transmission.
Control placement. Intuitive access to all functions.
Entry/exit. Easy on/off for rider models.
Visibility. Clear sightlines to forks and surroundings.

Top manufacturers

Crown. Industry leader in technology and ergonomics. See Crown walkie pallet jack.
Toyota. Reliability leader, extensive product range.
Raymond. Strong in distribution applications.
Jungheinrich. Energy efficiency leader. See Jungheinrich electric pallet jack.
Hyster-Yale. Good value, solid performance.
Big Joe. Value option with proven reliability.

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

Maintenance requirements

Daily checks

Battery charge level
Visual inspection for damage
Lift and lower function test
Horn and safety features
Wheel condition

Periodic maintenance

Weekly. Battery water check (lead-acid), cleaning, wheel inspection.
Monthly. Lubrication, connection inspection, detailed cleaning.
Quarterly. Complete inspection, brake check, hydraulic system review.
Annually. Professional service, load test, safety inspection.

See our pallet jack maintenance guide for complete procedures.

Pricing guide

Type	Price Range
Basic walkie	$3,500-5,500
Premium walkie	$5,500-8,000
End rider	$8,000-18,000
Center rider	$15,000-30,000
Walkie stacker	$5,000-15,000

Prices typically exclude battery; add $1,500-4,000+ depending on type and capacity.