Moving heavy freight with pallet truck

Ok, it's not a matter of being a whiner or a quitter, it's just not safe. I've seen plenty of people get hurt doing stuff like that, to save time, or "Mr. Tough Guy", and it's up to you. That's why hospital's are open 24 hours. And I worked on a dairy farm , as well, and saw one of my best friends almost get killed, because he was trying to save a little time. I don't want to rip on you at all, but common sense says not to move a pallet weighing 2 tons, up hill, with a hand pallet jack. If I was ever in a situation where I couldn't move a pallet safely, I'd take half of it off the pallet and put it on another pallet. What's the hurry, I hope you are getting paid by the hour. Best of luck.

 

I'm salaried, in the winter due to the nature of the job, i break down skids all winter because Jacks and snow don't mix. However, work a little to unload a skid of batteries in 5min verses break my back hand loading and unloading individual batteries, I'll work a little. Like i said, i can always move it out on my gate prior to backing up hill. My family depends on me to provide for them. If i thought that i was in jeopardy i wouldn't risk it. I'm not foolish, i know my limitations. Thank you for caring enough to share your advise.

 

Okay, non-trucker here. I strongly believe in consulting experts so here is my question for all of you, especially someone with 2.5 million miles experience. Normally, this wold be a forklift job, but there is no money for one. Is there any kind of device to attach to a pallet jack which would allow safely pulling the pallet with a small tugger or other powered device up a parking garage ramp? A vendor is able to push the load up with an electric powered pallet jack, but we don't have the money for that, either. It's beverages in shrink wrapped plastic cases. I want something that can either physically block off the end of the forks so the pallet cannot slide or some other mechanism which would do the same thing. Is there anything?

 

Hi bobcov, I don't recall anything like that, but thanks for the idea. Just kidding, it must be a pretty steep ramp. It seems pushing a heavy pallet is almost easier than pulling one, and there's a little "step" in the pallet jack by the handle, so it's not going to slide. Other than breaking down the pallet, which is what I was told to do, I don't remember anybody pulling or pushing a "hand" pallet jack with any assist. Usually when I delivered stuff, the workers conveniently disappeared, so I was on my own. I'd think with all the material handling stuff out there, you'd be able to pick up a cheap electric pallet jack. It would be money well spent. Good luck.

 

OK, first off, if you are moving a pallet jack by hand NEVER GET ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE OF IT! Nothing is worth getting running over by a loaded pallet jack.
Second, if you don't have the money for the proper equipment, then you don't have the money to be in business. If you can't afford the proper motive power, you sure as hell can't afford to pay for the lawsuit when somebody gets hurt.
Sorry to be this way, but it is the sad truth.
I've seen too many cheap business owners to have one iota of sympathy. If you are going to run a business, then RUN IT AS A BUSINESS. Get the appropriate equipment, or sell out and go do something else.