Low Profile Pallet Jack

Low profile pallet jacks feature reduced fork heights to access pallets with less clearance than standard designs allow. When standard pallet jacks can't fit under your pallets—whether printer's pallets, display bases, or custom platforms—a low profile model provides the solution.

Standard pallet jacks have a lowered fork height of 75-85 mm (3-3.3 inches), which works fine for standard pallets. But many operations use lower pallets, skids, or platforms that require forks with even less clearance. Low profile pallet jacks address this need with fork heights as low as 36-51 mm (1.4-2 inches).

When you need a low profile pallet jack

Common applications

Printer's pallets. Low-deck pallets used in printing industry.
Display pallets. Retail display bases with minimal height.
European pallets. Some designs have lower entry height than US pallets.
Plastic pallets. Some plastic designs have lower openings.
Custom platforms. Specialized equipment bases.
Container platforms. Some container dunnage has low clearance.
Floor-level equipment. Machinery with minimal ground clearance.

Signs you need low profile

Standard pallet jack forks won't fit under your pallets
Forks scrape or lift pallet boards when entering
Pallet opening height is under 75 mm (3 inches)
Using pallets specifically designed for low clearance

Fork height comparison

Pallet Jack Type	Lowered Fork Height	Raised Fork Height
Standard	75-85 mm (3-3.3 in)	190-200 mm (7.5-7.9 in)
Low profile	51-65 mm (2-2.5 in)	150-190 mm (6-7.5 in)
Ultra low profile	36-51 mm (1.4-2 in)	90-150 mm (3.5-6 in)
Super low (specialty)	32-36 mm (1.25-1.4 in)	76-100 mm (3-4 in)

Types of low profile pallet jacks

Standard low profile

Lowered height. 51-65 mm (2-2.5 in).
Capacity. 2,000-2,500 kg (4,400-5,500 lb).
Applications. Most low-clearance pallets.
Availability. Widely available from major manufacturers.
Price. $400-700.

Ultra low profile

Lowered height. 36-51 mm (1.4-2 in).
Capacity. Often reduced, 1,500-2,000 kg (3,300-4,400 lb).
Design. Requires smaller wheels, modified linkage.
Applications. Very low pallets, printer's pallets.
Price. $500-900.

Super low profile (specialty)

Lowered height. 32-36 mm (1.25-1.4 in).
Capacity. Significantly reduced.
Availability. Specialty item—limited sources.
Applications. Extremely low platforms.
Price. $700-1,200+.

Electric low profile

Availability. Limited—low profile is primarily a manual pallet jack product.
When needed. High volume with low pallets.
Price. $5,000-10,000+.

Specifications

Typical low profile specifications

Specification	Low Profile	Ultra Low
Lowered fork height	51-65 mm (2-2.5 in)	36-51 mm (1.4-2 in)
Raised fork height	165-190 mm (6.5-7.5 in)	90-150 mm (3.5-6 in)
Fork length	1,000-1,220 mm (39-48 in)	1,000-1,150 mm (39-45 in)
Fork width (outside)	520-685 mm (20.5-27 in)	520-685 mm (20.5-27 in)
Capacity	2,000-2,500 kg	1,500-2,000 kg
Load wheel diameter	60-74 mm	50-60 mm
Unit weight	65-80 kg	60-75 kg

Dimensional impacts

Lower fork height affects other dimensions:

Raised height. Also reduced—less total lift.
Wheel size. Smaller wheels for lower profile.
Capacity. May be reduced in ultra-low designs.
Ground clearance. Less clearance for floor imperfections.

Design considerations

How low profile is achieved

Smaller load wheels. Reduced diameter wheels lower fork height.
Modified fork channel. Shallower fork profile.
Redesigned linkage. Lower pivot points in lifting mechanism.
Compact cylinder. Shorter hydraulic cylinder stroke.

Trade-offs

Reduced capacity. Smaller wheels and components may reduce rating.
Less total lift. Raised height is also lower.
Smaller wheels. More sensitive to floor conditions.
Rolling effort. Smaller wheels may require more effort on rough floors.
Durability. Smaller components may wear faster under heavy use.

Selecting the right model

Determine required clearance

Measure pallet opening height (inside clearance)
Subtract 10-15 mm (0.4-0.6 in) for safe clearance
This is your maximum fork height requirement
Select jack with lowered height below this number

Example calculation

Step	Value
Pallet opening height	70 mm (2.75 in)
Less clearance margin	-10 mm (0.4 in)
Required fork height	60 mm max (2.35 in)
Suitable jack type	Low profile (51-65 mm)

Other selection factors

Capacity needed. Match to your heaviest loads.
Fork length. Must match pallet dimensions.
Fork width. Must fit pallet openings.
Floor conditions. Smooth floors work better with small wheels.
Frequency of use. Higher use justifies better quality.

Operating considerations

Floor requirements

Low profile jacks work best on:

Smooth, level concrete
Floors free of debris and damage
Indoor environments

Challenges on:

Rough or damaged floors
Floor joints and expansion gaps
Outdoor surfaces
Dock plates with gaps

Operating tips

Keep floors clean—debris affects small wheels more
Approach pallets squarely for smooth entry
Don't overload—respect reduced capacity if applicable
Replace wheels promptly when worn—small wheels wear faster

Maintenance notes

Low profile jacks need attention to wheel condition:

Wheel inspection. Check more frequently—smaller wheels show wear faster.
Wheel replacement. Replace at first signs of flat spots or damage.
Floor cleanliness. Keep area clean to protect wheels.
Hydraulic care. Same as standard jacks.

See our pallet jack maintenance guide for complete procedures.

Pricing

Type	Price Range
Low profile (51-65 mm)	$400-700
Ultra low (36-51 mm)	$500-900
Super low (under 36 mm)	$700-1,200+
Electric low profile	$5,000-10,000+

Top manufacturers

Vestil. Wide range of low profile options.
Wesco. Multiple low profile models.
Noblelift. Low profile options available.
Pramac. European manufacturer with specialty models.
Hu-Lift. Various profile heights available.