Pallet jacks are a great tool for moving heavy loads. They can be used to move and store various items. However, you should not leave your pallet jack in the freezer.
The problem with leaving your pallet jack in a freezer is that it can get damaged by the cold temperature. The cold temperature could ruin the hydraulics, which would make it difficult to raise or lower the equipment.
Standard pallet jacks don’t have the right viscosity of oil for cold temperatures. If the pallet jack is to be left in a freezer with incorrect oil viscosity, the jack won’t lift and would cause permanent damage to the hydraulic system.
Another harm the equipment might get from cold temperature is that the cold temperature causes the seals to wear out at a much faster rate. The seals and O-rings dry out causing them to crack since they are just made of rubber. If this happens, you just see oil residue on the floor, and this will prompt a replacement seal kit.
This equipment has four wheels: two load wheels which are depressed into the forks, and two steer wheels. Standard wheels aren’t suited and durable for the floor surface of cold storage, they easily puncture and won’t last long in cold temperatures.
10 Models of Pallet Jacks Suited for Cold Storage Operation
| Brand/Model | Weight Capacity | Temperature Can Withstand | |
| 1 | Freezer Special LiftRite LG55A | 5,500 lbs | minus 20F |
| 2 | Vestil PM5-CFR-2748 | 5,000 lbs | Inquire with manufacturer |
| 3 | Raymond LCF55 | 5,500 lbs | Inquire with manufacturer |
| 4 | Cold Store ECOCOLD-4 | 2,500 kgs | Inquire with manufacturer |
| 5 | OPK CPF-15S-107-A | 1,500 kgs | minus 10C |
| 6 | Crown PE 4500 Series | 6,000 lbs | Inquire with manufacturer |
| 7 | MightyLift ML55-2 - Premium | 5,500 lbs | Low Temperature |
| 8 | MightyLift ML55GLV - Galvanized | 5,500 lbs | Low Temperature |
| 9 | MightyLift ML55N - Premium | 5,500 lbs | Low Temperature |
| 10 | MightyLift ML55SS Stainless | 5,500 lbs | Low Temperature |
Hydraulics Oil to Use in Cold Temperature
It is suggested to fill hydraulic oil with viscosity 30cSt at 40°C. But in below zero temperature, you might be wondering what the correct oil viscosity in that application is?
The correct oil viscosity depends on the brand and model of the equipment, please consult the manufacturer or owner's manual on this matter. But as a general rule, hydraulic oil with lower viscosity grades flow is better in cold storage applications.
There are many different brands of hydraulic oil available on the market today. Some brands are better than others, but it depends on what you need from your brand of choice.
Pallet Jack Should Be Equipped with Specialized Wheels to Work in Freezer
There are two different types of wheels that you can choose for your pallet jack - nylon and polyurethane. Each wheel has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to know which type of wheel is best suited for your needs.
Nylon wheels are made from high-quality nylon materials. This means that they can easily roll over the cold surface without slipping or getting stuck.
Nylon wheels provide a lot of benefits to cold storage facilities, such as being ideal on rough or wet or floor surfaces, chemical and puncture-resistant, and much more durable than polyurethane. Nylon wheels are louder than its counterpart.
However, nylon wheels are more likely to leave marks on the floor surface than polyurethane wheels which makes them not ideal in an application where hygiene is being taken into consideration.
On the other hand, polyurethane wheels are typically used in warehouses or other areas where there is a high amount of friction. They provide better traction on slippery surfaces as well as "self-lubricating" properties which helps them last longer than nylon wheels because they do not need to be greased as nylon wheels do.
The nylon wheel is a suitable type for cold storage applications.
Features of Pallet Jack Ideal for Below Zero Temperature
Pallet jacks are designed to be easy to use and inexpensive. They can be easily purchased from different retailers that sell them online or in-store. If you’re going to acquire one for your business, here are the features you need to take into consideration:
- The equipment's handle must be electro-galvanized to withstand the frigid temperature.
- The hydraulic pump should be stainless or galvanized to resist corrosion due to condensation.
- The frame must be galvanized as well to resist corrosion.
- The wheels should be nylon to resist cold temperature and non-marking to make for hygienic purposes.
- The lifting capacity is the most important factor when acquiring a pallet jack, it should be able to lift/carry the maximum weight of the load you intend to put into it. Popular models have 5,000 up to 8,000 lb.-capacity.
Most people know that owning a pallet jack is an investment. This equipment isn’t cheap. You need to consider other factors such as your budget when you want to own this type of machine.
How to Choose the Right Pallet Jack For Your Needs?
There are many types of jacks that have different features. You need to make sure you get the right one for your needs.
The most important features to look for when choosing are the weight capacity and lift height. There are many different types of lift models. Depending on the size and weight of the load, there are various types that can be used. For example, a pallet jack would be best for lifting up to 1-ton loads, while a forklift would be better suited for loads that weigh over 2 tons.
Other features that you should consider include the lift speed, and construction materials. In cold storage, the stainless and galvanized construction is ideal for this kind of work environment.
When choosing, it is important that you know what size of loads it can handle and how wide it can open up in order to accommodate them. You should also consider how much weight it can hold and whether or not it has a lifting arm that can reach over desired height. And whether or not the equipment has a hydraulic lift.
You cannot just go out and buy any old pallet jack thinking that it will do the job well. There are many factors that come into play when choosing.
Safety Tips for Using a Pallet Jack
Pallet jacks are very helpful in moving heavy objects. However, they should be used with caution. The following safety tips will help you ensure that your pallet jack is safe to use.
- Always secure the load before commencing work, and make sure the load is aligned properly with the pallet jack's lifting arm.
- Make sure the load is secured to the pallet jack before starting to lift it up and move it around and make sure it is aligned properly with the pallet jack's lifting arm
- Make sure that you have enough space around your pallet jack, especially if you’re working on uneven ground or with a lot of weight.
- The most important safety tip is to always use the pallet jack on a level surface. It is best to avoid using them on uneven ground.
- This equipment is designed for loading and unloading materials, not lifting or moving people.
- Keep an eye out for any obstacles that might be in front of you as you move the load - including people and other materials and debris in the work area.
- Finally, anyone who intends to operate a pallet jack must take training first prior to its operation. This is a strict requirement of OSHA. Yes, OSHA requires you to be certified in the use of this machine.
These machines are very helpful in moving heavy objects. However, they should be used with caution. The above-mentioned safety tips will help you ensure that your pallet jack is safe to use.
To Make a Conclusion
The advantages of using a pallet jack for cold storage are that it is easy to use, cheaper than a forklift, and it can be used for other tasks as well. But never leave your pallet jack if you don’t want to shorten its lifespan.
If the temperature drops below freezing, it can damage or destroy components in a pallet jack which can lead to expensive repairs.
Cold temperatures can cause the metal parts of the pallet jack to corrode, causing them to fail early. These failures can cause damage to the goods being handled or can result in an accident.
