How You Can Choose the Best Clark Pallet Jack for Your Warehouse

Pallet jacks. They offer great bang for your buck and, in many cases, can replace forklifts in their capabilities while costing less and being generally easier to maintain. 

But not all pallet jacks are made the same and choosing the right one will depend on the needs of your warehouse. Not sure where to start? Not a problem. In this article, we’ll cover:

• The different types of pallet jacks and their benefits
• Different Clark models that might suit your needs

Before going into this, we thought it was important to note that all pallet jack and stacker operators, by OSHA standards, are required to have a forklift certification.

Which Type of Pallet Jack is Right for You?

Between walkies, stackers, riders, manual, and electric options, it might be hard to figure out which one is right for you. You may already know what the differences are between them all, but each one has its own benefits.

Manual (Hand Jacks) vs. Electric Pallet Jacks

For example, manual pallet jacks are the most affordable option. They are easy to operate and maneuver, and use a hydraulic system guided by the operator. For light-duty work, these are as simple to operate as sliding the forks underneath the pallet and giving the handle a few pumps. Some options are considered “semi-powered.” This is simply a manually-operated hand jack that still requires pumping, but one that makes moving the load easier via a battery-operated motor.

Electric pallet jacks, or EPJs, are ideal for moving larger, heavier loads. They’re powered by rechargeable batteries, which make both the lifting and the moving of the load easier. As such, they do require more maintenance and care than manual jacks, but still not as much as full-sized forklifts. 

Pallet Jacks vs. Stackers

But what about the difference between pallet jacks and stackers? The difference is simple - pallet jacks are low to the ground, and made to get the load up enough so it can be moved. A stacker, on the other hand, has a mast resembling a forklift, so that loads can be lifted up higher or stacked upon one another, such as the Clark SSX model. 

There are also high-lift manual pallet jacks and, while these can also raise loads up fairly high, they are meant to only travel short distances. These are sometimes called “high-rise pallet jacks” or “scissor jacks,” and lack a mast.

Walkies vs. Riders

And finally, we have the distinction of walkies and riders, which refers to whether you walk behind the electric jack while in operation or you stand on its built-in platform so you can ride it around. The real difference, other than price, is whether or not your operators will be traveling longer distances. For shorter distances, walkies will save you money, but for longer distances, a ride-on model is recommended. 

Which of These Pallet Jacks is Right For You?

Deciding on the right model will depend on all of the factors we’ve already mentioned, including whether you need a light- or medium-duty option, the distances your operators need to travel, and whether or not the loads need to be lifted high enough to stack or just off the ground to move.

Here are five models to consider for your warehouse needs:

Clark Standard Manual Pallet Jack CJ55/T/A/C

Capacity: up to 5,500 lbs

This cost-effective manual pallet jack is simple to operate and easy to maintain. With a load capacity of up to 5,500 pounds, it can move a remarkable amount of weight with relative ease. It’s 200-degree handle pivot offers superb maneuverability through otherwise tight, difficult-to-navigate areas. And its polyurethane wheels and rollers are durable and designed for reliably smooth rolling. 

Variations on this model include the CJ55T, which includes tandem load rollers, the CJ55A, which includes the automotive brake attachment, and the CJ55C, which has a 23-inch fork length and is designed for extremely compact areas.

Clark Electric Pallet Jack WPL25

Capacity: up to 2,500 lbs

If you need an electric pallet jack for light-duty work, the WPL25 is the best place to start. Its 2500-pound load capacity is able to handle most light-duty tasks and all of its operator controls are intuitive and located in the ergonomically-designed operator handle. The easy-exchange lithium-ion battery comes standard and is able to perform for up to three hours when fully charged. And maintenance is a breeze thanks to modular components that can be accessed with simple hand tools.

Clark Electric Pallet Jack WPX45

Capacity: up to 4,500 lbs

Designed for heavier loads and longer distances of travel, the WPX45 can hold up to 4,500 pounds and boasts a 24V AC power unit and an electromagnetic, top-mounted brake for faster, safer stopping. It requires minimum steering effort to maneuver and its ergonomic, ambidextrous handle offers lift, travel, and lower functions without the operator ever having to remove their hand. Plus, it has stepless speed control in forward and reverse for safe, easy operation.

Clark Large Electric Pallet Jacks HWXE and PWXE

Capacity: up to 6,000 lbs

Looking for something heavier duty? Clark now offers the updated versions of the HWX and PWX with the HWXE and the PWXE. The HWXE is the ride-on model while the PWXE is the walkie model.

Both boast a heavy-duty undercarriage, entry and exit rollers on the forks, and two forms of regenerative braking. As with all Clark models, the 24V AC battery units are easy-to-access and maintain. The dash display is intuitive and comes with built-in diagnostic capabilities and a battery discharge indicator with the ability to interrupt operation for safety. If these models check off all of the boxes except for the load capacity, there are 8,000-pound options for each model available.

Clark Electric Pallet Stacker SSX

Capacity: 2,500-4,000 lbs

Or perhaps a stacker would be better for your warehouse, in case you need to raise pallets to higher shelving or stacks. Just like Clark’s other electric options, the SSX’s AC drive motor is specially designed with no brushes to change, which reduces operating costs and keeps out dust and contaminants. This stacker also includes an electromagnetic braking system, a backrest for the load, and adjustable outriggers. 

Looking to Learn More About Pallet Jacks or Need Forklift Buying Tips?

We understand there are so many choices (and plenty more we haven’t included), so if you could use further guidance from pallet jack/ stacker/ forklift experts, please give us a call at 844-LILLYCO and we’ll be more than happy to help find the best option for you.  

At the Lilly Company, we’re experts in helping you find and choose the right equipment for your needs. We are an authorized forklift dealer for Clark, Linde and Komatsu, serving customers throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and eastern Arkansas. 

Contact a forklift expert at The Lilly Company online or by phone at 844-545-5926 with any questions you have, or visit us at one of our 13 locations across the Mid-South:

• Alabama - Birmingham and Madison
• Tennessee -  Kingsport and Knoxville

• Key questions to help you avoid purchasing the wrong forklift
• When to choose an electric vs. internal combustion forklift
• What tires and attachments you may need
• How to get the maximum forklift for your money
• Important questions buyers forget to ask

Further Reading:
Forklift Warranties: What Is and Isn’t Included
Should You Repair or Replace Your Old Forklift?
8 Frequently-Replaced Clark Forklift Parts To Keep On Hand