Pallet trucks are some of the most versatile and adaptable pieces of equipment used in many workplaces, and their many different components are what make them so flexible. As well as different types of forks, different capacities and construction materials, hand pallet trucks also boast many different types of wheels which offer them various different abilities and strengths.
One of the most prevalent types of wheel largely used on pallet trucks is the polyurethane wheel, or the ‘PU’ wheel. PU wheels have a great number of benefits within certain workplaces, the most obvious being their sound deadening qualities. They are perfect for working environments where the public will largely be encountered, such as supermarkets or shop floors. Pallets are often used to transport goods around these types of retail area, and with customers around, it’s perhaps not appropriate to have loud wheels disturbing them. PU wheels are also ideal for use on polished floors, such as those in many of the public areas within workplaces. Laminated floors and polished tiles such as those in retail outlets, can become scratched and need to be repaired or replaced if the appropriate wheels are not used. PU wheel pallet trucks provide a smooth and silent operation that can glide over the appropriate surfaces with optimum grip and a high level of control.
Nylon wheels are also very commonly used on pallet trucks and other pieces of manual handling equipment. Nylon wheel pallet trucks have the most hardwearing of the wheel types due to their rigid plastic construction, and they are suitable to much harsher and more adverse environments. They excel over concrete factory floors and provide excellent control and durability in workplaces such as quarries, docks or other environments where corrosion is a possibility. The higher levels of durability offered by nylon wheels also mean that they are slightly louder than their PU counterparts. It is for this reason that they are best used in areas where clients and customers are restricted, such as storage and racking areas, loading bays, workshops and warehouses.
The two basic types of wheel are an excellent illustration of the ways in which hand pallet trucks can cater for a huge range of purposes and needs. For the more public-facing purposes such as in retail environments, the polyurethane wheels are ideally suited. Their slightly softer tyres offer a quieter, smoother operation that is ideal for public areas. Nylon wheels, with their plastic construction and more hardwearing nature, are perfect for the more adverse environments, where rubble or uneven surfaces might be encountered. The two types of wheel cover the majority of different types of flooring and businesses are able to choose the wheel they feel will best suit their demands.
