Pallet Jack Brands

The pallet jack market includes everything from premium manufacturers building equipment that lasts decades to budget brands offering basic functionality at minimal cost. Understanding what different brands offer helps you match equipment quality and features to your operational needs and budget.

Pallet jacks may look similar across brands, but significant differences exist in build quality, component specifications, ergonomics, and long-term reliability. Premium brands command higher prices but often deliver lower total cost of ownership through durability and reduced maintenance. Budget options work well for light-duty applications where intensive use isn't expected.

This guide profiles major pallet jack manufacturers, comparing their market positions, product strengths, and what you can expect from each brand.

Premium tier brands

Premium manufacturers build equipment for demanding commercial and industrial use. Their pallet jacks feature heavy-gauge steel, precision components, superior ergonomics, and extensive dealer support networks.

Toyota Material Handling

Toyota is the world's largest material handling equipment manufacturer, bringing the same quality philosophy that built their automotive reputation to warehouse equipment.

Product range. Manual pallet trucks, powered pallet jacks, rider pallet trucks, and specialized models.
Quality reputation. Exceptional build quality with attention to detail. Known for reliability and longevity.
Key features. Ergonomic handle designs, smooth hydraulic action, durable powder coat finishes.
Price position. Premium pricing, typically 30-50% above budget brands.
Service network. Extensive dealer network with parts and service availability worldwide.
Best for. Operations prioritizing reliability and long service life over initial cost.

Crown Equipment Corporation

Crown is a privately-held American manufacturer known for innovative designs and vertical integration—they manufacture most components in-house. For detailed information, see our Crown pallet jack guide.

Product range. Comprehensive line from manual pallet trucks to sophisticated rider equipment.
Quality reputation. Premium quality with industry-leading innovation. Known for ergonomic excellence.
Key features. Patented designs, excellent ergonomics, advanced electric models with regenerative systems.
Price position. Premium pricing reflecting quality and innovation investment.
Service network. Company-owned service centers in many markets, dedicated Crown technicians.
Best for. High-volume operations and applications requiring advanced features.

Raymond Corporation

Raymond specializes in electric material handling equipment and is known for engineering excellence and reliability in demanding environments.

Product range. Focus on electric pallet trucks, reach trucks, and order pickers. Limited manual options.
Quality reputation. Excellent durability and sophisticated electronic controls.
Key features. Advanced AC motor technology, telematics integration, energy efficiency.
Price position. Premium pricing, particularly for electric models.
Service network. Strong dealer network primarily in North America.
Best for. Facilities investing in electric fleet standardization.

Jungheinrich

This German manufacturer is one of Europe's leading material handling brands, known for engineering precision and energy efficiency.

Product range. Complete range of manual and electric pallet trucks, plus larger warehouse equipment.
Quality reputation. German engineering quality with excellent fit and finish.
Key features. Three-phase AC motors, lithium-ion battery options, advanced energy management.
Price position. Premium pricing comparable to Toyota and Crown.
Service network. Strong in Europe, growing presence in North America and Asia.
Best for. Operations emphasizing energy efficiency and European quality standards.

Commercial tier brands

Commercial-tier manufacturers offer good quality at moderate prices. Their equipment suits regular commercial use without the premium pricing of top-tier brands.

Hyster-Yale

Hyster and Yale are sister brands under the same parent company, offering slightly different styling but similar underlying quality.

Product range. Full range of manual and electric pallet jacks under both brand names.
Quality reputation. Solid commercial quality, particularly strong in heavy-duty applications.
Key features. Robust construction, good parts availability, range of capacity options.
Price position. Mid to upper-mid range, often 10-20% below premium brands.
Service network. Extensive global dealer network with good parts support.
Best for. Commercial operations seeking brand-name quality at moderate prices.

Big Joe

Big Joe has manufactured material handling equipment since 1920, offering straightforward designs at competitive prices. See our detailed Big Joe pallet jack guide.

Product range. Manual pallet jacks, walkie stackers, platform trucks, specialty equipment.
Quality reputation. Good value with adequate durability for commercial use.
Key features. Simple, serviceable designs; good ergonomics in recent models.
Price position. Mid-range pricing, often excellent value for features provided.
Service network. Distributed through various dealers; parts reasonably available.
Best for. Small to medium operations seeking proven equipment without premium pricing.

Mitsubishi (Caterpillar)

Mitsubishi Logisnext manufactures equipment sold under the Mitsubishi and CAT (Caterpillar) brands for material handling.

Product range. Manual and electric pallet jacks, forklifts, reach trucks.
Quality reputation. Good quality with Japanese manufacturing standards.
Key features. Reliable hydraulics, good component quality, straightforward service.
Price position. Mid-range, competitive with Hyster-Yale.
Service network. Dealer network varies by region; CAT brand has broader reach.
Best for. Operations wanting quality without top-tier premium pricing.

Linde Material Handling

Linde (part of KION Group along with Dematic) offers German-engineered equipment with strong European heritage.

Product range. Comprehensive range of manual and electric material handling equipment.
Quality reputation. High quality with innovative engineering solutions.
Key features. Advanced electric drive systems, good ergonomics, efficient designs.
Price position. Upper-mid to premium range.
Service network. Strong in Europe, established presence in other markets.
Best for. Operations with European connections or prioritizing innovation.

Clark Material Handling

Clark has a long history in material handling, though the brand has changed ownership several times. Current production maintains commercial quality standards.

Product range. Manual pallet trucks, electric walkies, forklifts.
Quality reputation. Adequate commercial quality; varies somewhat by product line.
Key features. Competitive pricing, reasonably durable construction.
Price position. Lower-mid range, competitive pricing.
Service network. Dealer network exists but less extensive than major brands.
Best for. Budget-conscious commercial buyers wanting brand recognition.

Value and economy brands

Value-tier brands offer functional equipment at lower price points. Quality varies significantly within this tier.

Vestil

Vestil manufactures a wide range of material handling equipment focused on value and availability.

Product range. Extensive catalog including manual pallet jacks, specialty trucks, dock equipment.
Quality reputation. Acceptable quality for light to moderate use; not built for abuse.
Key features. Wide product variety, reasonable construction, basic functionality.
Price position. Budget-friendly, typically 30-50% below premium brands.
Service network. Distributed through industrial suppliers; parts available.
Best for. Light-duty applications, backup equipment, or budget-constrained operations.

Wesco Industrial Products

Wesco offers a range of material handling products including pallet jacks at competitive prices.

Product range. Manual pallet trucks, hand trucks, carts, drum handling equipment.
Quality reputation. Basic to adequate quality suitable for lighter use.
Key features. Simple designs, functional construction, readily available.
Price position. Budget to mid-range depending on model.
Service network. Available through industrial distributors.
Best for. Occasional use, light loads, budget-focused buyers.

Global Industrial / Uline branded

Large industrial suppliers sell pallet jacks under their own house brands, typically sourced from Asian manufacturers.

Product range. Basic manual pallet jacks, sometimes electric options.
Quality reputation. Variable; generally acceptable for light use.
Key features. Low price, convenient ordering, basic functionality.
Price position. Entry-level pricing.
Service network. Limited; parts may require ordering from supplier.
Best for. Occasional use, very light duty, price-sensitive buyers.

Import and no-name brands

Various manufacturers, primarily in China, produce pallet jacks sold under many brand names or unbranded. Quality varies dramatically.

Quality considerations. Some imports match or exceed budget domestic brands; others fail quickly. Research specific suppliers.
Price advantage. Often 40-60% below name brands.
Risks. Inconsistent quality, limited warranty support, parts availability issues.
Best for. Buyers willing to accept risk for price savings, or those with experience evaluating equipment quality.

Brand comparison by application

Heavy industrial use

For demanding environments with constant use, heavy loads, and harsh conditions:

Best choices. Toyota, Crown, Raymond, Jungheinrich
Why. Premium construction withstands abuse, better ergonomics reduce operator fatigue, lower lifetime cost despite higher purchase price.

Standard warehouse operations

For typical commercial warehousing with regular daily use:

Best choices. Hyster-Yale, Big Joe, Mitsubishi, Linde
Why. Good durability at moderate prices, adequate service networks, proven reliability.

Light commercial and retail

For back-room use in retail stores, light receiving operations, occasional warehouse work:

Best choices. Big Joe, Vestil, Wesco, house brands
Why. Adequate quality for lighter use, significant cost savings, acceptable service life for application demands.

Food and pharmaceutical

For environments requiring sanitary equipment, stainless steel construction, or specialized materials:

Best choices. Toyota, Crown, Jungheinrich (stainless models)
Why. Premium brands offer purpose-built stainless and sanitary options with appropriate certifications.

Key factors when comparing brands

Build quality indicators

When evaluating pallet jacks from any brand, look for:

Steel thickness. Premium brands use heavier gauge steel in forks and frames.
Weld quality. Smooth, consistent welds indicate better manufacturing.
Component quality. Sealed bearings, quality seals, precision machining matter.
Finish quality. Durable powder coating or paint protects against corrosion.
Hydraulic components. Quality pumps and cylinders ensure reliable lifting.

Total cost of ownership

Consider costs beyond purchase price:

Service life. Premium equipment often lasts 2-3 times longer than budget options.
Maintenance costs. Better components require less frequent service.
Parts availability. Name brands have better parts support than obscure imports.
Downtime costs. Equipment failures disrupt operations beyond repair costs.
Resale value. Premium brands retain value; budget equipment has minimal resale.

Service network

Access to parts and qualified service matters:

Dealer proximity. Local support speeds repairs.
Parts availability. Common brands have readily available parts.
Technical support. Major brands offer technical documentation and support.
Warranty service. Established networks honor warranties more consistently.

Pricing overview by brand tier

Manual pallet jack pricing

Brand Tier	Typical Price Range (5,500 lb capacity)
Premium (Toyota, Crown)	$400-700
Commercial (Hyster, Big Joe)	$300-500
Value (Vestil, Wesco)	$200-350
Economy (imports, house brands)	$150-250

Electric pallet jack pricing

Brand Tier	Typical Price Range (walkie)
Premium (Toyota, Crown, Raymond)	$4,000-8,000
Commercial (Hyster, Big Joe)	$3,000-5,500
Value (various)	$2,000-4,000

Making the decision

Questions to ask

How many hours per day will equipment be in use?
What loads will it handle (weight, frequency)?
What's the operating environment (indoor/outdoor, temperature, floor condition)?
How critical is equipment uptime to operations?
What's the realistic equipment budget including long-term costs?
Is local service support available for considered brands?

Recommendations by scenario

High-volume distribution. Invest in premium brands—reliability justifies cost.
General warehousing. Commercial tier offers best value balance.
Retail back room. Value brands sufficient for light use.
Startup on tight budget. Quality used equipment often beats cheap new.