How to Choose a Pallet Jack Fork Size
- 29/10/2026
- Posted by: tendou
- Category: Racking System
Choose a pallet jack by matching its drawing to your actual pallet, loaded weight and travel route. The pallet’s outside length and width are only a starting point. Fork entry openings, baseboards, fork spread, lowered height and load-wheel position also affect the match. Before ordering, send the supplier the pallet details and ask them to identify the proposed truck model and confirm its suitability.
Use this checklist alongside Hyperack’s pallet jack page. If you are still recording the load itself, start with the pallet and loaded-dimensions guide.
Start with the pallet entry, not a “standard size” label
Prepare a drawing or safely accessible photographs of the pallet you actually use. Include the side through which the forks enter, the openings, and the boards or stringers underneath. Record the opening height and width, rather than sending only the outside footprint. If you handle several pallet types, list each one separately.
A description such as “standard pallet” leaves the supplier guessing which construction you mean. Do not go beneath a suspended or unstable load to obtain measurements. If the relevant detail cannot be inspected safely, obtain the pallet maker’s drawing or arrange an appropriate assessment.
Ask for these details on the proposed truck drawing
Request a dimensioned specification for the exact model being quoted. A description saying only “fork width” is not enough: ask whether it means one fork, the clear gap between the forks or the overall spread. Keep the units and drawing revision with your notes.
| Drawing field | Question for the supplier |
|---|---|
| Fork length | How does it match the pallet depth and entry direction? |
| Fork widths and spread | Which measurements describe each fork, the inner gap and the outer width? |
| Lowered height | Does it suit the pallet’s available entry height? |
| Overall size and turning data | What space does this model need with the intended load? |
| Load-wheel arrangement | Where do the wheels sit relative to the pallet’s baseboards? |
For an example of how these fields are separated, see Linde’s MT15 technical sheet. It describes a particular powered truck, not Hyperack’s stock or a recommended fit for your pallet.
Why a longer fork is not automatically better
The Malaysian Department of Occupational Safety and Health’s 2015 courier-industry guidelines, section 7.4.1, warn that unsuitable hand-pallet-truck fork lengths can damage baseboards. They also highlight the relationship between the small wheels and those boards.
Ask the supplier to check both the fork tips and the wheel positions against your pallet construction. Choosing extra length “just in case” is not a substitute for checking that relationship. Do not use the pallet’s footprint alone as a compatibility rule.
Check the load and route as well
Record the total loaded weight, including the pallet and packaging. Ask for the proposed model’s rated load and any conditions attached to that rating. Keep the normal load and the heaviest intended load separate in your enquiry.
Describe the route: doorway openings, aisle corners, floor joints, slopes, surface changes and shared pedestrian areas. A truck that enters a pallet is not automatically suitable for every route. HSE’s warehousing guidance treats the task, load and working environment as separate assessment factors. It is UK guidance, not a statement of Malaysian licensing requirements.
Send a useful enquiry instead of guessing a fork size
Copy these headings into your enquiry and fill in what you know:
- Pallet types, drawing or photographs, and intended entry side.
- Available entry measurements, with units.
- Normal and maximum total loaded weight.
- Route photographs and details of restricted or uneven areas.
- Manual or powered equipment being considered, and the task it must perform.
- Missing information you need the supplier to check before recommending a model.
Use Hyperack’s pallet jack enquiry route to discuss the application. Ask for the model drawing and confirmation against the supplied information. This checklist does not establish current stock, price, a delivery date or a guaranteed fit.
Common buying questions
Can I choose from pallet length and width alone?
No. Include the entry construction, opening measurements and load details, then compare them with the proposed truck drawing. Two pallets described by the same outside footprint should not be assumed to have identical entry arrangements.
Will a wider fork spread always be more suitable?
Do not choose on width alone. The relevant question is whether the complete fork and wheel arrangement matches the particular pallet. Ask the supplier to resolve an unclear drawing label before ordering.
Does a manual pallet jack need operating instruction?
Yes. Get equipment-specific instruction and follow the manufacturer’s guidance and workplace procedures. Toyota’s hand-pallet-jack explanation explicitly distinguishes its introductory information from proper training and the operator’s instructions.