A pallet forklift—also known as a pallet truck, pallet jack, or pump truck—is a type of forklift designed specifically to lift, move, and transport palletized loads at ground level. These machines bridge the gap between manual pallet jacks and full-sized counterbalance forklifts, handling the bulk of daily ground-level load movement without the overhead of a larger machine.
Key Types of Pallet Forklifts
Type Operation Typical Capacity Best For
Manual Pallet Jack Human-powered; pump handle raises forks 4,500 – 5,500 lbs Light loads, short distances, intermittent use, small warehouses, retail backrooms
Electric Walkie Pallet Truck Battery-powered; operator walks behind 1,500 – 3,000 kg Moving heavier loads over longer distances, reducing operator fatigue
Electric Ride-On Pallet Truck Battery-powered; operator rides on platform 1,500 – 2,000 kg Medium and long-distance transport, multi-shift operations
Pallet Stacker Electric walkie with lifting mast 1,000 – 2,000 kg Low-level stacking; combines horizontal transport with light vertical lifting
Scissor Pallet Jack Manual or powered scissor lift Up to 5,500 lbs Assembly lines, packaging stations, ergonomic work height
All-Terrain Pallet Jack Manual or powered Varies Rough or uneven outdoor surfaces
2026 New Model Highlights
Clark – Five New Electric Pallet Trucks (LogiMAT 2026)
Clark unveiled a new generation of electric low-lift pallet trucks in 2026, covering 1,500 kg and 2,000 kg capacities:
Model Capacity Type Battery Key Features
ELP15 1,500 kg Walk-behind 24V 25Ah Li-ion 550mm width, 1,345mm turning radius, 230V socket charging
BPT15 1,500 kg Walk-behind 24V 65Ah GEL Cost-effective entry-level, 205kg weight
WLE20 2,000 kg Walkie 24V 100Ah Li-ion Two lift cylinders, 78mm fork height
WEP20 2,000 kg Walk-behind 24V 230Ah Li-ion Premium model, color display, USB port
RPE20 2,000 kg Ride-on 24V 230Ah Li-ion Fold-down platform, 10 km/h, power steering
Jungheinrich ERC 216zi
Jungheinrich unveiled the ERC 216zi in 2026, a completely redeveloped electric pallet stacker with an L2 dimension of 1,245 mm—making it at least 170 mm shorter than comparable trucks.
BT Levio
The BT Levio 2.2t powered pallet truck is available in 2026 with rental options starting at £72.03/week.
Price Guide – 2026
Prices vary widely based on type, capacity, and battery technology.
Type Price Range (USD) Notes
Manual pallet jack (5,500 lb) $300 – $800 Entry-level, no battery
Electric pallet jack (1.5–2.0 ton) $1,500 – $3,500 Basic walk-behind models
Lithium-ion electric pallet truck $2,000 – $5,000+ 24V systems, fast charging
1.5 ton double pallet stacker $4,968 – $5,796 Lead-acid base model
1.5 ton lithium pallet stacker $6,210 – $7,728 Mainstream standard model
1.5 ton high-mast pallet stacker $8,004 – $9,660 5–6m lift height
Used Pallet Truck Prices (2026):
2018 Still EXU-S22 (electric): $1,557
2026 Northern Tool 5,500 lb pallet jack: $445
2018 Crown PE4500-60 (walk/ride electric): CHF 2,332 – 7,074 (~$2,700 – $8,200)
Key Specifications to Check Before Buying
Specification What to Look For
Load Capacity Match to maximum pallet weight; reserve 15% extra capacity
Aisle Width Walkie pallet trucks need ~2.5–3 metres for turning
Battery Type Lithium-ion for multi-shift; lead-acid for single-shift
Fork Length & Width Must match your pallet dimensions (standard: 27″ x 48″)
Lift Height Pallet jacks: 3–9 inches; stackers: 3–6+ metres
Environment Cold storage requires IP-rated components
Duty Cycle Move over 35 pallets/shift? Consider electric ride-on
Where to Buy
Authorized Dealers: Toyota BT, Clark, Jungheinrich, Linde, Crown
Online Marketplaces: Machinio (new/used), Machineryline, EquipmentShare
B2B Platforms: Made-in-China, Alibaba (factory-direct pricing)
Rental Options: BT Levio from £72.03/week
Buying Considerations
Match the machine to your duty cycle: Manual jacks for intermittent use; electric walkies for frequent moves over 25+ metres per cycle.
Battery decision is critical: Lithium-ion offers opportunity charging and zero maintenance. Clark‘s new lithium-ion models can be charged from a standard 230V socket.
Consider total cost of ownership: Factor in battery replacement, maintenance, and operator fatigue—not just purchase price.
Check warranty: Leading brands offer 1–3 year warranties on pumps and frames.
Verify certifications: Confirm ISO and CE certificates for quality assurance.
Summary
Pallet forklifts in 2026 are available across manual, electric walk-behind, and electric ride-on configurations. Leading brands include Clark (five new 2026 models with lithium-ion: ELP15, BPT15, WLE20, WEP20, RPE20), Jungheinrich (ERC 216zi, the most compact electric pallet truck), BT Levio (available from £72.03/week), EP Equipment (ESA 121-M from $7,973), **Toyota**, **Linde**, and **Crown**. Prices range from **$300 for manual jacks** to over $9,500 for premium lithium-ion stackers. When buying, match the machine to your load capacity, aisle width, duty cycle, and battery requirements—and always factor in total cost of ownership, not just the purchase price.