Table of Contents

Summary
What is a pallet jack hydraulic unit?
Hydraulic unit parts
Working principle of a pallet jack hydraulic unit
Hydraulic unit seal kit for the maintenance of a pallet jack
Find pallet jack hydraulic unit parts at Pallet Jackson
Takeaways

Summary

Would you like to know more about manual pallet jacks and their hydraulic units? This blog post will provide an overview of both the manual pallet jack and its hydraulic unit. We will also let you know about the parts needed for your pallet jack hydraulic unit maintenance. Finally, we will give you reasons why Pallet Jackson is the best place to find what you are looking for in your pallet jack.

What is a pallet jack hydraulic unit?

Today pallet jacks are an integral part of warehouse logistics. Whether it's loading and unloading pallets, pallet stacking, pallet moving, or transferring goods on pallets - every company with warehouses will need at least one pallet jack to handle these tasks.

One of the essential parts of a pallet jack is the hydraulic unit. It is the part of the pallet truck that contains the hydraulic jack and other components that help to power the pallet truck. This unit is typically enclosed in a metal casing, and it is mounted to the pallet jack's base.

Manual pallet jack, hydraulic pump
Manual pallet jack where is shown the hydraulic pump

The pallet jack hydraulic unit is responsible for fork lifting. It is a hydraulic cylinder that is placed between the pallet truck's base and its forks. When the pallet truck's pump is activated, the hydraulic oil is forced into the jack, which in turn causes it to extend. This extension pushes the forks upwards, which raises the fork.

Hydraulic unit parts 

A Pallet jack hydraulic unit is compound by: 

Working principle of a pallet jack hydraulic unit

The pump is responsible for supplying hydraulic oil to the hydraulic cylinder, and the hydraulic cylinder contains the piston, which is responsible for extending and pushing the forks upwards. And finally, the valves control the flow of hydraulic oil in and out of the hydraulic cylinder.

Hydraulic unit diagram
Hydraulic unit diagram: (a) pump, (b,c,d) valves, (e) lever, (f) cylinder, (g) safety valve, and (h) oil reservoir

When the pallet jack's pump is activated, it causes a rush of hydraulic oil to enter the hydraulic cylinder. This high pressure causes the piston to extend, pushing the forks upwards. The hydraulic oil flows back out of the hydraulic cylinder and goes into the pump. This process is repeated over and over again, which causes the pallet jack to lift the fork.

The pallet jack's hydraulic power unit is equipped with a safety valve to reduce the pressure in the circuit. This ensures that the pallet jack will not lift loads higher than its maximum capacity, which would cause damage to its hydraulic cylinder and pallets.

The oil reservoir is mounted on the pallet jack's pump, and it is a metal container that holds the hydraulic oil. The oil enters the reservoir through an inlet port and leaves through an outlet port. Oil reservoir kits for Pallet jacks often include the cap, an O-ring, and a pint of oil.

Oil reservoir kit for a pallet jack
Oil reservoir kit for a pallet jack

Hydraulic unit seal kit for the maintenance of a pallet jack

By keeping these hydraulic unit parts in good condition, you can ensure that your pallet jack will operate smoothly and safely. Regular maintenance is essential for providing optimal performance and preventing costly repairs. So make sure to schedule regular maintenance checks for your hydraulic unit and use high-quality spare parts.

The pallet jack's internal piston has a series of grooves cut into its outer shell. These grooves are designed to hold O-rings in place, which helps to keep the internal mechanism lubricated and protected from outside elements such as dirt or debris. The pallet jack's O-ring is typically made of a hardened rubber material that is flexible enough to adapt to the pallet truck's changing internal components.

Using the correct seal kit when doing a rebuild is essential, as using the wrong kit can cause damage to the pallet truck's hydraulic unit. Depending on the type, capacity, etc., multiple O-rings may be used in a pallet jack's hydraulic unit. A pallet jack's hydraulic unit will also typically contain a seal kit that is specific to the pallet jack's make and model. Commonly you will find in the market these two types of seal kits:

Standard seal kit: If you plan to change or renew the hydraulic unit seals, this is the most suitable option. This type of kit has all of its necessary parts included in an official manufacturer's package.

Super Seal Kit: contains all of the necessary components for rebuilding a hydraulic jack. It includes replacement parts that are beyond what's typically included in standard seal kits.

The following video shows location of seals in a pallet jack hydraulic unit:

Find pallet jack hydraulic unit parts at Pallet Jackson

The hydraulic unit is the most critical part of a pallet jack, as it is responsible for its lifting power. Without it, the pallet jack would be useless. So if you're ever having trouble with your pallet jack, be sure to use the correct spares.

Pallet jack parts can be hard to come by, but at Pallet Jackson, we have everything you need to keep your pallet jack running smoothly. We carry seal kits, safety valves, and hydraulic unit parts for all major brands of pallet jacks.

No matter what type of pallet jack you have, we can help you find the right parts to get it up and running again. We have an extensive inventory of parts and accessories, and our knowledgeable staff is always happy to help. If you're looking for a specific spare or accessory, we probably have it in stock. And if we don't, we can order it for you quickly and easily.

Takeaways

  • One of the essential parts of a pallet jack is the hydraulic unit, which contains all components that help to lift the fork.
  • The hydraulic jack is activated by oil entering the cylinder, where it pushes up on a piston, causing forks to extend.
  • A pallet jack's hydraulic unit can contain multiple O-rings, which the correct seal kit should replace.
  • Sometimes, you need to find replacement parts for a pallet jack. But Pallet Jackson carries everything you need and can help you find the correct part.