Originally posted 8/30/08
Updated 11/27/08, 4/25/09 and 6/14/09
Just as the design of crate interiors and interior containers can determine how the objects they contain are initially handled, there is a relationship between crate design and the tools and methods that will be used to move them.
ABOUT PALLET TRUCKS AND CRATE DESIGN
Stability and Efficiency
Materials moved on pallets usually create a rough cube that will fit two-wide on most trucks and in containers. They effectively use the space and are not prone to tipping. When configuring crates that have multiple objects one recommended approach is to design them to have a broad footprint and a low center of gravity to enhance stability. This type of crate is a natural to be moved by pallet truck.
Safety
A positive consideration in the use of this hydraulic tool is that the tool really is doing the work. A very slight individual can move some impressive mass with ease, and considerable control when utilizing a pallet truck. The danger of tipping is minimized where the crate, pallet or skid need only be lifted enough to allow the crate to be rolled. This also means taller crates can fit through doors that they couldn’t on common dollies. When your drop height is one inch - minimal acceleration can occur in one inch of travel – minimal force is exerted.
Venues
Of course if you (or equally important if other necessary venues) don’t have loading dock access these advantages might be moot. While you can use a pallet truck to match the height of a lowered lift gate on a truck and then muscle the crate into place, getting the same crate off the curb is another matter entirely.
Variations
The smaller standard size pallet truck shown at the top in the image below can be particularly useful in a museum setting. Art crates don’t necessarily conform to industry standards and you can still move larger crates with this smaller size tool. This 21” width is commonly available with 48” long forks but the shorter 36” length illustrated above can be handy in tight spaces. Remember in addition to crates it is not unusual to see sculpture stored on specialized pallets. Also pedestals and display cases can be easier to deal with when palletized.
On the left is the most commonly used pallet truck on the market. No surprise it is a good match for the most common “standard” pallet size at 40” x 48”. It is a good idea to pay attention to the dimensions of this tool when designing crates as it is most likely what will be found on loading docks all over the country.
This side of the crate is slightly too narrow for proper pallet truck movement.
The other side of the same crate has adequate space but the skids are set too close. Altering the orientation of the skids or just reducing their size slightly would make this a safer crate. Also, making skids that are 3-1/2” high makes sense for pallet truck and forklift use but they can complicate movement using 4 wheel dollies. Decide how you want your crates moved and then position skids accordingly.
This big boy has wider blades but much more significantly it sports a steel back rail that objects can be secured to for stabilization of your load. This presents an alternate set of possibilities that can be very helpful indeed.
What is so special about this unit? Why does it have a lawn mower handle on it?
This model will lift a pallet (or anything else – up to 1,100 lbs - you can drive it under - up to 1,100 lbs.) up to 33” in height. We are talking real versatility here. This one can do triple duty as crate mover, for use in object installation, and as an ergonomic aid in the shop for prepping out crate interiors at a more back-friendly height.
Note some differences from your everyday pallet truck. Double wheels on the back and dual chains attached to the hydraulic mechanism enhance stability on this unit. The locking wheel is useful also.
Thinking I had a little fun with Photoshop perhaps? No, this is a special order pallet truck that uses the smaller “standard” width (21”) and has forks that are 84” long.
The catalogs I have seen offer forks up to 96” long and up to 40” wide. Why would you want to do this? Well if space is too tight you probably wouldn’t (it turns more like a semi than a sports car but it still retains the other advantages that this basic tool has to offer – lifting capacity, control and safety). Of course one advantage is that you can basically move two of anything you move with a regular pallet truck at the same time cutting the number of trips in half. Another real advantage is found in moving pallets of 4 x 8 foot sheet material. Good, yes?
While we are at it take one of those sheets and put some skids on it and you have an awesome storage device. Take materials, empty crates or what ever and stretch them together on one of these and cut way down on shuffle time! If you choose to forklift or Genie lift it onto some handy pallet racking to grab some floor space – so much the better. All those things are great but this particular pallet truck was purchased to move a collection of sculpture that was housed on pallets to minimize the need for direct handling of the objects. It’s found many more uses since, and has earned its keep many times over.
ALTERNATE USES
If you are like me, you like to utilize any mechanical advantage available. A pallet truck can provide some serious lifting power with excellent control in a variety of applications.
If you are like me, you like to utilize any mechanical advantage available. A pallet truck can provide some serious lifting power with excellent control in a variety of applications.
If you are contemplating using your truck for more than just moving pallets and crates you might want to purchase a model that has flat-topped fork tips. The forks with the sloping tips can be useful for driving under rough wood pallets. When used to lift other types of object though your load may tend to slip off of the end of the fork. The need to forcefully drive a pallet jack under a rough wood pallet (double decked) is less frequent in a museum setting anyway it seems to me.
FLOATING THE FORKS
Taking a run at a rough wood double decked crate with a pallet jack can be kind of satisfying in a “Get ‘er done” kind of way, but I think the action (along with the accompanying clatter) contributes to a real prejudice against use of the tool. It has been my observation that collections care folk tend to shy away from violent actions and loud noises – go figure. This is where a little technique can go a long way towards improving peoples state of mind about a truly useful tool. In fact when possible it isn’t a bad idea to float your way under a pallet.
Taking a run at a rough wood double decked crate with a pallet jack can be kind of satisfying in a “Get ‘er done” kind of way, but I think the action (along with the accompanying clatter) contributes to a real prejudice against use of the tool. It has been my observation that collections care folk tend to shy away from violent actions and loud noises – go figure. This is where a little technique can go a long way towards improving peoples state of mind about a truly useful tool. In fact when possible it isn’t a bad idea to float your way under a pallet.
Say what?
A little judiciously applied leverage can put your pallet truck forks through a pallet without touching the slats of the bottom deck – silent and smooth. Some brands pop a better wheelie than others, I notice. This method comes to you courtesy of (stolen from) Kevin Marshall - Lead Preparator at the Getty Villa.
What Else?
OK this is where you come in. We started it but no one here is the master of the pallet truck universe. What would you add to more fully cover the topic?
OK this is where you come in. We started it but no one here is the master of the pallet truck universe. What would you add to more fully cover the topic?
Anyone want to talk about wheels? If used on the website your addition will be credited to you (or not) at your discretion.
What Next?
The other two tools mentioned are certainly worthy of some attention as well.
Tell me about some other “Basics” that you think should be covered.
The other two tools mentioned are certainly worthy of some attention as well.
Tell me about some other “Basics” that you think should be covered.
MORE …
On 9/18/08 right after our re-launching of the website, Kurt Christian - Chief Preparator of the St. Louis Art Museum sent us these images further illustrating the flexibility of using pallet positioners in the museum setting. Their new Bishamon unit shown here has an optional plate that turns it into lift table, or what we call a pump cart, around here.
With this Jet model straddle stacker (w/ adjustable outriggers) below you can move your pallet to where you need it and then raise it to the height of a high shelf for storage or a tall pedestal for installation. Or of course you can forget the pallet and transfer your object to the nifty add-on metal plate for better access and a smooth surface.
In addition to added height achieved with this design usually a bit over 60" (as opposed to the lighter smaller lighter weight Bishimon shown above) the mast on the back that makes the lift possible also provides a structural element to tie or brace to when transporting vertical objects like one of the versions shown in the original article.
There are similar units that instead of being straddle stackers, have the forks and outriggers both fit inside of the skids of standard pallets. This allows easy access to for a variety of pallet sizes and configurations. This designs limitation is that you can't use it to lift "closed" pallets (where there are top and bottom rails).
Some of these models have a one ton (2,200 lb) capacity which is on a par with many "walkie" fork lifts. As a result - within the limits of their lift height capacities - the can effectively be used to "rig" smaller sculptures.
MORE…
On 10/14/08 Andrew Krieger at the National Gallery of Art in DC pitched in with a few of his museums preferences in pallet trucks. Andrew mentioned that over time at his institution that they have settled on a preference for Lift Rite trucks and cites in particular the sensitivity of the release valves that lower the load at a slow controlled rate. That’s a really good quality especially with a heavy load on. He sent pictures showing the three sizes they use which include 21”, 26” and a 33” width.
OK, I just know you are going to ask “What’s the black thing on the middle truck?”
Andrew replied (I just had to ask too) that the home grown drop down yokes shown on this truck are used to move contemporary metal sculpture and pedestals. Also if you were just now wondering about the 2 X 4 blocks sitting next to the forks of the pallet truck on the left…
Andrew also mentioned that another feature favored by the folks at the NGA are low-rise models that only require around 1-3/4” in clearance. That is a really good thing if you are dealing with wooden double deck pallets. In that case it is the difference between being able to pick from 2 side or all 4.
MORE…
Pneumatic Wheeled Pallet Truck
During Kevin Marshall's presentation at the art handling workshop held at the Japanese American National Museum he discussed an access issue that he must deal with as Lead Preparator at the Getty Villa.
Moving artwork from the main part of the museum to one of the Conservation Labs necessitates travel across a rough paved courtyard. Since virtually every museum has some sort of idiosyncratic limitation, I thought that his solution might be helpful to someone else out there. For folks with cobblestone areas or other outdoor challenges (sculpture gardens etc…) the oversized pneumatic wheeled pallet truck below might be just the ticket.
Kevin’s sends this picture of his impressive multi-terrain “wheels”
Why are we looking at yet another pallet truck? Is it the racy red color? Is that a built-in DVD mounted on the front?
This is a great tool but like any it has limitations. To get accurate readings the load has to be fairly centered on the forks. Loads that are significantly over 48” in the smallest dimension may require a different kind of scale. OK, so maybe not. The truth is this little beauty adds a whole new dimension to the humdrum pallet truck. That little screen-on-a-stick is actually a built-in scale.
This is a great tool but like any it has limitations. To get accurate readings the load has to be fairly centered on the forks. Loads that are significantly over 48” in the smallest dimension may require a different kind of scale. OK, so maybe not. The truth is this little beauty adds a whole new dimension to the humdrum pallet truck. That little screen-on-a-stick is actually a built-in scale.
Just zero it out with a pallet is on it and then place your oversized artwork on it to a weight for your oversized object or put your packed inner crate on it to help accurately calculate your cushioning. On a more timely level, in this day and age when packing in a gallery can take on an entirely new function (if you don’t know what I am talking about then you don’t “need to know”) this tool is a just what the doctor (or TSA) ordered.
Sources for some of these tools are shown below:
New Haven Moving Equipment - Material handling, focus on trucking supplies.
http://www.newhaven-usa.com/index.cfm
http://www.newhaven-usa.com/index.cfm
Grainger Industrial Supply - Material handling, facilities maintenance, many locations for “will call”
McMaster Carr - Material Handling, Specialty Materials, Fast service, highly informative catalog.
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