Pallets are flat structures usually made out of wood. These are responsible for supporting furniture or equipment in a warehouse.
The main reason why these are used is that you can lift them using a forklift or pallet jack. This allows for easy transportation of the goods within the warehouse.
Talking about this, people working in these areas most likely already own sets of pallet jacks for their usage.
Although, if you do not, then there are tons of companies manufacturing them. You should easily be able to get them online or by visiting a hardware store nearby you.
With that being said, there are also a few problems that these devices can run into.
What to Do When Your Pallet Jack Won’t Go Down
One issue that many people get is that their pallet jack won’t go down. If you are getting the same problem, then going through this article should help you in getting rid of it.
- Release Hydraulic Oil
Having manual pallet jacks might require a little more effort, but these are quite easy to use.
However, having your device stuck while it was extended is among the most common issues found on these.
When it comes to fixing this problem, there are two major reasons why you might be getting this issue.
The first one is that your pallet jacks might have too much hydraulic oil in them. This can prevent the system from functioning correctly and getting stuck.
Luckily, you can easily fix the problem by releasing some of this hydraulic oil from your pallet jacks. The process should take a few minutes, and you can then start using the device again.
- Broken Moving Parts
If your problem was not from the hydraulic oil, then there is a high chance that some of the moving parts in your device have gotten damaged or deformed.
When it comes to this step, you should note that proper knowledge about how the equipment works are required. Only then can you open up the system and check what is wrong with it.
Considering this, if you are feeling hesitant, then you should move on to the next step. Although, if you want to fix your device yourself, then make sure that you open it up and check the motion tracking.
Once you identify what the problem with it is, you can try fixing it. However, if the motion track is faulty, then you will have to replace it with a new one.
- Check O Ring
The condition of the O ring also has a role to play here. You will never be sure of the issue if the condition of the O ring is poor.
It can be pretty easy for owners to ignore this issue, and you might do the same if you’re not sure about the maintenance cycles.
So, if you’ve not yet checked the rubber O rings for problems, now might be a good time to do so.
If these rings appear to be in poor shape and you can see visible patches in the system, then you need to grab a replacement.
There are no other methods that can be used here, and you will have to rely on new rings.
You can either reach out to your local repair center or get help from the dealer about this issue. They will guide you on how to maneuver through the situation.
It will only take a few hours of your time, but the issue with the pallet jack will be addressed.
So, be sure to check on the O rings and then refill the hydraulic oil after draining it down to eliminate the response of the air bubbles.
That might seem like an extensive task, but you’re not left with many options here.
- Remove The Load
Sometimes, all that you need to do here is to remove the load from the system and then try using the lever to bring it down.
There might be some bent sections, or the load might be warping the unit out of shape. So, if you seem to be using too much weight, try removing it for a while.
If removing the weight does fix the issue, you’ll be sure that the weight here is too much for the system.
Next, you need to also check the cylinders as well as the rest of the hardware for warping issues. They will make the situation clearer as you figure out the exact problem.
All that you’re trying to do here is make sure that the pressure on the system is adequate.
Putting up too much pressure can bend the rods out of shape, and then you won’t be able to disengage the system with the lever.
- Check Lever Engagement
It is not always the fluid or the O rings behind the issue. The problem with the lever is just as common, and you will have to isolate the issue by checking the condition of the lever.
If the lever is not engaging the unit properly, then you can’t really expect it to loosen up the system.
Similarly, if you find it to be loose or bent, it will run into the same errors down the road. So, you will have to adjust the lever properly to get the loader to work.
This is especially true if you’ve been using a bit much weight on the system.
Usually, the issue with the lever is fixable by adjusting the orientation and the positioning of the unit.
Moreover, if your system seems to be hopeless, then you shouldn’t bother with it anymore. Instead, you should claim the warranty if you were using the loader under recommended conditions.
That way, you will be able to secure a fresh piece without having to spend more money on the unit. The warranty policy offered by most reliable brands is decent.
So, you can forward a claim and be eligible for a replacement after verification. From there, you can set up the new unit within the same week.
- Contact a Technician
Finally, another solution that you can go for is contacting a specialist that can check the pallet jack for you.
Make sure that you provide them with detailed information about your problem. This will help the technician find your issue and fix it a lot quicker.
One thing that you should be aware of is that you will be charged for all the replacement parts as well as labor.
This is why you should discuss the charges for your repairs before getting started with them. Finally, you can also contact your dealer to check if they will fix the device for you.
Wrapping Up
It is not that rare for owners to run into issues with their tools, even if they are relying on phenomenal brands like Milwaukee and DeWalt.
The basic care requirements and maintenance will go a long way, and you will have to educate yourself on the proper usage to avoid all of the pitfalls down the road.
The same can be said about the situation with the pallet jack that won’t go down.
Most of the time, owners just use too much hydraulic oil, thinking that it would improve the overall performance of the system. However, that is not always the case, and you will have to reduce the oil.
Similarly, there could be hardware issues and much more that can go wrong with the unit. So, be sure to ask an expert or try taking the unit to your local repair center.
Either way, you need to leave the job to a professional when you’re not aware of the issue yourself.
That will not only fix the situation for you, but you will also notice a better response down the road.
So, don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re unable to figure out the cause behind the hardware issues with the system.