Pallet Truck or Pallet Stacker? 💥
Posted on September 22nd 2025 by Hannah Clark.
The ability to transport stock efficiently throughout warehouses is a critical factor in todays working environment. Whilst meeting the demand of customers is important, ensuring a safe working environment is also critical. Installing pallet trucks and stackers not only reduces the risk of workplace injuries, but also can boost employee productivity. This can inherently help companies get quality stock out efficiently.
Traditional forklift trucks are expensive to operate and recognised as the cause for 1,500 workplace accidents annually. Therefore, the implementation of quieter pallet trucks and stackers can assist in boosting workplace morale. Their ergonomic design reduces workplace illness days, whilst increasing productivity tenfold.
At Workplace Products, we are proud of our wide range of pallet trucks and pallet stackers. But choosing which one best suits your working environment can be a tough decision.
The Basics of Pallet Trucks 📦
Also known as Pallet Jacks and Pump Trucks, Pallet Trucks are one of the most common form of pallet-handling machinery. Their use includes moving heavy stock across workplace flooring, by raising pallets a few inches off the floor. This prevents workers from having to manually carry stock, increasing risks of injury whilst reducing productivity.
To use, the forks simply insert into pallet holes, before workers drag the truck using the ergonomically designed handle.
Types of Pallet Trucks ✨
We offer a wide variety of different pump truck models available on the market. They all offer a series of benefits to help assist within any warehouse environment.
- Manual Pallet Truck: The addition of handles allow for the adjustment of fork height manually. Simply manoeuvre the handle up and down to adjust the forks to a desired height, before using the same handle to lower the forks. The Pramac Basic Pallet Truck features a three position lever, assisting with moving stock up to 2200kg easily. With three different fork lengths available, it is the perfect edition to all industrial environments.
- Electric Pallet Truck: To improve productivity further, motors have been added to some pallet trucks. This allows fork heights to adjusted at the touch of a button, resulting in even quicker productivity! All our electric pump trucks conform to CE safety standard, including the semi-electric TUFF Electric High-Lift Pallet Truck. You raise the forks using the remote and lower them manually with a handle.
There have been continuous developments to assist the process of transporting stock more time and cost effective.
- High-Lift Trucks: This development combines the traditional features of a pallet truck with large forks with motors to raise stock to high shelves. The TUFF High Lift Pallet Truck is the perfect machine for supporting this, with the ability to reach up to 800mm. This makes moving and storing bulky items even easier in large warehouse environments.
- Scale Pallet trucks: As seen on our Sealey branded Pallet Truck with Scales, the in-built scales measure weight +/- 1kg accurately. This prevents exceeding shelf weight limits, as well as simplifying the task of inventory management.
Weighing the good and bad ⚖️
Positives ✅
Pallet Trucks are suitable for a variety of business budgets. Manual pump trucks are the most affordable pallet-moving solution on the market. Their large range means they come in a variety of prices to fit multiple business budgets, with manual pump trucks . Despite their smaller nature, they remain durable for warehouse use, from small businesses to large corporations.
As they rely on manual pushing and pulling, they are cheaper to run too! Maintenance is minimal, especially for fully manual models, with a simple clean and tyre check required. Additionally, their lightweight nature reduces the amount of strain a worker may endure when pulling them, even at capacity.
Negatives ❌
Whilst manual pump trucks are budget friendly, specialised versions (including electric, high-lift and scales) are a larger investment. This means that for those businesses looking for a cost-effective solution, the manual pump truck is the only option.
Additionally, relying on manual labour to move the truck itself makes pallet trucks more tedious on workers. Whilst more ergonomic for a short-term period, pulling heavy pallets across a warehouse can still be extremely tiring.
Finally, unless someone invests in a high-lift pallet truck, the movement of stock remains limited to floor level. This may be an inconvenience for larger warehouses, and result in further equipment purchases to meet warehouse requirements.
Lets discuss Pallet Stackers ⚡️
Pallet Stackers are designed to be a cross between traditional forklifts and the pallet truck. They are capable of moving stock across floors as well as vertically up to high shelves for easy storage! Their ability to place stock on higher shelves makes organising warehouse space easier than ever. They are also more compact in size, making them ideal for narrower warehouses where space-saving storage is critical.
Designed with both manual and electric variations, pallet stackers also improve workplace ergonomic tenfold, especially in smaller warehouse spaces.
Our selection of Pallet Stackers 🌟
At Workplace Products, we offer an extensive collection of Pallet Stackers with unique features to improve workplace efficiency. Similarly to our Pallet Trucks, our stackers operate either manually or electrically.
- Manual Pallet Stacker: Use either the foot break or winch to move forks into the correct position to pick up pallets, and raise them. Our all purpose Manual Stacker H2500mm is capable of placing pallets up to 2500mm high. Plus, the nylon wheels make them suitable for heavy-duty daily use.
- Electric Pallet Stacker: For quick lifting, electric and battery operated stackers are more suitable. The best-selling TUFF Electric Mini Lifter features a remote control for moving the forks. This reduces manual labour, whilst improving workplace efficiency and productivity. Minimal training may be required to ensure that users operate the stackers safely.
- Heavy-Duty Stacker: Sometimes, the need to lift heavier stock to high-up shelving is critical, especially for warehouses where space is limited. To combat this, engineers have designed heavy-duty stackers. The Battery Stacker H3500mm can support up to 1500kg, and is our strongest stacker. With a 7 year warranty included, it is the ideal stacker to improve workplace productivity.
The Ups and Downs 👍👎
Positives ✅
Stackers are designed with workplace ergonomics in mind. They require less operator effort, resulting in a significant reduction in workplace risk.
The ability to lift and move pallets with one machine makes them a cost-effective choice over forklifts. Where a forklift would struggle to lift and transport stock within a narrow warehouse, stackers thrive in this environment! Plus, they do not require fuel to operate, making them more sustainable than most forklift trucks.
Negatives ❌
Pallet Stackers original selling point is their ability to move stock from the floor to high shelves. However, they now face competition from the recent developments to the pallet truck, including the addition of high-lift. The lower loading capacity on most pallet stackers make them only suitable for warehouses dealing with significantly lighter stock. Whilst pallet stackers with a load capacity of 1000kg are available, they come with a significantly higher price tag.
The smaller fork sizes featured on most pallet stackers make them less suitable for transporting bulky stock through warehouses. Additionally, their design makes them suitable for small-to-medium warehouses only because of their slower operation, reducing efficiency.
Key Differences 🤷
Usability 🏭
Both pallet trucks and pallet stackers thrive in warehouse environments, and can transport stock in an ergonomic fashion. Pump trucks are perfect for moving stock at floor level, such as bringing stock from back-of-house to front-of-house. Stackers are capable of unloading deliveries from lorries and place them on high up storage shelves in one swift movement.
Pallet trucks have an ergonomic handle for easy movement, and their strong frame makes them ideal for industrial warehouses. Stackers on the other hand are more useful in smaller warehouses, where pallets require high up storage, but do not weigh as much.
Reaching heights 🪜
Stackers can reach heights a manual pallet truck is unable to. This makes them appealing for warehouses where storage is at height, and traditional forklifts are too bulky to operate.
However, recent developments into high-lift pump trucks, including the Parmac High-Lift Pallet Truck, is altering warehouse machinery. Businesses now only need to buy one piece of equipment, as this truck can reach heights of up to 800mm. It is perfect for heavy use in warehouses because of the robust frame.
Price 💰
Our pump trucks are available in a range of prices to suit any budget your business may have. Our manual pallet truck range creates a smooth warehouse environment, whilst not burning a hole in your pocket.
Whilst stackers do come with a higher price tag, they are still the more cost-effective alternative to traditional forklift trucks. They require minimal training when first implemented into the workplace, saving both time and money. This leads to a boost in productivity to occur from day one!
Still unsure? ☎️
We understand that determining on which pallet truck or stacker will suit your workplace is a difficult decision. That is why our friendly sales team is always on hand to offer their support and recommendations based on your unique requirements. Simply contact them over email, live chat, or phone, and they can help find the perfect pallet-mover for your workplace.
Thinking your workplace would benefit from a bulk order? Request a quote today, and we can tailor a quote and timeline to suit you!
