Bringing safety to last mile handling

The semi-electric pallet trucks offered by SHS Handling Solutions, such as the Liftek range, are designed to boost safety for HGV drivers.

Bradley Dunn, sales and marketing director at SHS Handling says: “The semi-electric pallet trucks mean drivers can take heavy pallets easily, with no strain on their backs. 

“Companies mainly buy the product to cover the driver’s health and safety. They are saving on back claims, sick pay etc.

“Driver retention is a big thing. Drivers are more inclined to join firms with electric assisted pallet trucks on the HGVs, and because of the driver shortage, the more you keep the driver safe and happy, the longer you will keep them.”

The semi-electric trucks use a manual pump to lift loads, and use the electric assistance when pushing pallets. This can make a big difference to the driver, particularly if there is a slope or uneven ground to negotiate to get into the store.

The pallet trucks are designed for use with lorries with a tail lift. The tail lift gets the pallet to ground level, then the pallet truck takes over. The pallet trucks are fully braked and sit easily on the back of the tail lift.

“The truck tends to be deployed as a replacement for a manual pallet truck on a tail lift, offering much better efficiency and health & safety performance,” says Bradley.

“The truck is the same size as a manual pallet truck. Its not big and bulky and only weighs 140kg. It can be charged via a 3 pin plug in the warehouse.

“Of course, there is an initial investment, but cost savings are achieved because of quicker deliveries and most importantly, no injuries or sick pays.”

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The trucks use a maintenance free battery, so whether it is 20% or 80% charged, it best to charge it overnight, advises Bradley. 

The pallet trucks can handle heavy loads, with 1.8 tonne capacity possible, although mainly 1 tonne loads are being moved. 

“The trucks are semi-electric with a heavy duty manual pump. It is more reliable and lasts longer, and being semi-electric, there is less chance of battery power draining quickly, because you are only using it for the drive wheel,” says Bradley.

SHS has had a lot of success with pallet networks and major logistics firms. It also fits well with retailers who stack shelves with a pallet truck, which can take a heavier load than a roll cage.

For those retailers that rely predominately on roll cages, SHS has a prototype product with a platform that can go underneath a roll cage, lift it up, and pull it along via electric drive. This can be attached to two of three to create a train.

Bradley is delighted with the response of the market to the pallet truck product range, which is manufactured by EP Equipment.

“We’ve offered the electric pallet truck for about three years, and we’ve seen increased sales every year. Wherever there is a contract with a heavy pallet, we can target it. Our personal service offers a free demo and trial to the customer”.