The Holiday Rush Is On —

Is Your Warehouse Equipment Holding Up?

Holiday shopping is in full swing—and there are still weeks to go. Orders keep coming, pallets keep moving, and your warehouse equipment needs to keep up.

How are your pallet jacks holding up? Are the wheels rolling smoothly? Do the forks lift and lower properly? Has that small hydraulic leak finally made it onto the maintenance list?

During peak season, uptime matters. 

A pallet jack that is harder to steer, struggles to lift, or needs repair is not something to work around until January. A quick inspection, timely maintenance, and a well-planned supply of replacement parts can help keep equipment problems from interrupting the holiday rush. Regular checks should cover wheels, forks, hydraulics, handles, and—on electric models—controls and batteries.

Your Hardest-Working Equipment: Pallet Jacks

Before the next busy shift, give each jack a condition check. Use the following checklist alongside the manufacturer’s instructions:

Inspection Checklist

• Load wheels and steer wheels: Cracks, flat spots, missing tread, excessive wear, or debris wrapped around the wheels and axles.
• Bearings and axles: Rough rotation, binding, unusual noise, or damaged bearings.
• Forks and frame: Bent, cracked, misaligned, or visibly damaged components.
• Handle and controls: A secure handle and smooth operation of the lift, neutral, and lower functions, where fitted.
• Hydraulic system: Visible leaks, weak or uneven lifting, or forks that do not lower in a controlled manner.

Pay Close Attention to Wheels and Bearings

Wheel problems are easy to overlook until a pallet jack becomes difficult to move.

A wheel can appear usable while its bearing is damaged or its axle is obstructed. Manufacturer guidance calls for checking wheels and axles for blockages, as well as wheel wear, cracks, flat spots, and broken bearings.

During the holiday rush, make wheel-area housekeeping part of the routine:

• Remove loose stretch wrap, strapping, and other debris from travel paths.

• Check for material caught around wheels and axles.

• Watch out for new grinding noises, binding, or rough rolling.

• Replace damaged wheels and bearings before the pallet jack, or the freight, gets damaged.

Do not wait for a wheel to stop turning completely before addressing a problem. A daily condition check gives your team a chance to identify damage before the next pallet move.

Keep the Right Replacement Parts on Hand

A spare-parts shelf is useful only when it contains parts that fit your equipment.

Start with the pallet jacks you use most often. Record each unit’s manufacturer, model, serial number, and applicable parts information. Maintenance records can help identify recurring repairs and high-use replacement parts.

Not sure what make and model you pallet jack is? Take a photo from the side of the hydraulic unit and text it to us to 503.523.8990 and we'll tell you.

Suggested Pallet Jack Spare-Parts List

Load-wheels 

our kits come with all the hardware you need.

Sample Load Wheel Kit for Crown PTH 50

Steer wheels

Keep replacements for high-use units with a history of wheel wear or damage.

Sample Complete Kit for Lift-Rite L-55

Bearings

Confirm whether replacement wheels include bearings or require separate components.

Axles, pins, retaining rings, and specified hardware

Review the parts diagram so a wheel repair is not delayed by a missing small component. Better yet, order one of our wheel kits and all the hardware you need is included.

Hydraulic seal kits, Handles, Valves

These might be more involved repairs, but necessary if you don't want to risk damaging the pallet jack or your product. Refer to our Step-by-step videos to help you service your jack, and order quality replacement parts on our website. We ship same day!

Before ordering, confirm fitment against the equipment’s parts documentation. Do not assume that a similar-looking wheel, bearing, or seal is interchangeable.

Look Beyond the Pallet Jack

Equipment readiness also depends on the condition of the surrounding warehouse.

A broader warehouse walk-through should include:

• Clear, dry aisles without loose packaging or other obstructions.

• Floor damage or uneven surfaces that need attention.

• Carts with damaged wheels, loose handles, or compromised frames.

• Designated equipment parking areas that do not block aisles or exits.

• Safe charging areas and intact charging equipment for powered units.

Cleaning up the route is part of maintaining the equipment. Loose packaging on the floor can become debris caught around a pallet jack wheel or axle.

Make Maintenance Part of the Shift—Not an Afterthought

Keep the process simple enough that your team can follow it during busy periods.

When a Problem Is Found

Remove unsafe equipment from service and make its status clear so another operator does not pick it up. Record the problem and notify the supervisor or maintenance team. Operators should not improvise repairs they are not trained and authorized to perform.

After Repair

Verify that the equipment operates safely before returning it to use and update the maintenance record with the repair date and parts replaced. Post-maintenance testing and documentation help keep equipment history useful.

Pallet Truck Toe Guard

Reduce the risk of foot injury

Manual pallet jacks can carry thousands of pounds, so even a slow-moving loaded jack can cause a serious crush injury if a foot gets caught under or in front of a steering wheel. A toe guard on a pallet jack creates a physical barrier to protect your feet from getting run over or crushed by the load wheels or forks — it's one of the most common pallet jack injuries, since your feet are right at wheel height during tight turns, backing, or crowded warehouse moves.

It is particularly useful when operators:

• Make frequent turns in narrow aisles or congested staging areas.

• Pull loaded pallets where their feet naturally trail close to the steering wheels.

• Work around pedestrians, pickers, packers, or other employees.

• Handle heavy loads, where stopping or redirecting the jack quickly is harder.

• Travel over uneven floors, dock areas, ramps, or debris-prone locations.

Secondary benefits

Beyond foot protection, a properly fitted toe guard can help deflect loose stretch wrap, wood chips, broken pallet pieces, and other debris away from the steering wheels. That can reduce wheel jams and contribute to smoother travel and less wheel-related downtime.
Many add-on guards are designed to mount behind or around the rear steering-wheel area of common manual pallet trucks without permanently modifying the truck, though compatibility, wheel diameter, ground clearance, and turning clearance should be checked before purchasing.

Generic Parts offers:

- Toe Guards already attached to the steer wheels for the easiest installation.
- Toe guard without the steer wheels for retro-fitting the pallet jacks you have.

Installation is easy! 

Just follow along our step-by-step videos:

How-to install the toe guard, already attached to the steer wheel assembly - easiest installation!

Or, if you use your installed steer wheels, how-to install the toe guard.

To order check our website, call 800-331-0839, or email us!

Jungheinrich: You have this great lift truck, but the warranty is up.

Keep your Jungheinrich running with same-day shipped, compatibility-guaranteed parts.

Make sure you have quality parts that last.

The most frequently searched and replaced Jungheinrich lift truck parts involve high-wear mechanical components and electric drive system parts, reflecting their heavy reliance on electric counterbalance, reach, and pallet truck lines.

Electrical Components: 

Contactors, contact kits, switches, and potentiometers are heavily requested due to the extensive use of electric drive systems in models like the EFG and EJE series, for example.

JU 28528240 Keys and switch

JU 51045971 Switch

Wheels and Load Rollers:

Polyurethane drive wheels, load wheels, and caster wheels wear down quickly under daily warehouse cycles and heavy load capacities.

JU 51064639-KIT

JU 51064639-KIT-XL

JU 50460101-XG-EZ

JU 51058752 Caster wheel assembly

For Bearings, and other parts, please contact our customer service at csinfo@genericparts.com 

Flipping your manual pallet jack over - safely!

Here's how:

1. Clear it – Ensure no load is on the forks; lower forks fully.
2. Pick a clear, flat, non-slip surface with room to work, away from foot traffic.
3. Get a second person if possible — manual jacks typically weigh 150–250 lbs.
4. Check hydraulic unit orientation – Most manuals recommend tipping onto the side opposite the hydraulic reservoir/pump to avoid fluid leaking out through the vent.
5. Position the handle out of the way (usually folded flat or to the side) so it doesn't swing or trap fingers.
6. Grip the frame, not moving parts – Lift from the main chassis rails, keeping hands clear of wheels, forks, and linkage/pivot points.
7. Lift with proper form – Bend knees, straight back, lift with legs; tip slowly and controlled rather than dropping it over.
8. Brace it once flipped – Use blocks or chocks so it can't roll or rock while you work.
9. Wear gloves and steel-toe boots to protect against pinch points and impact if it shifts.

Go slow and controlled — most injuries happen from letting it drop the last few inches or fingers getting caught between the frame and floor.

Now you are ready for:

• Wheel repair/replacement – Load wheels or steer wheels get worn, cracked, or jammed with debris (shrink wrap, zip ties, dirt) and need cleaning or replacing. You can get Load wheels and/or steer wheels on our website - or better yet, get one of our handy wheel kits containing all the parts you need.

• Cleaning – Grime, spilled product, or debris builds up in the undercarriage and around the forks.
• Inspection – Routine safety checks on the frame, forks, and wheel assemblies, especially in a warehouse with regular equipment inspections.
• Stuck or bent forks – Straightening or inspecting fork damage from mishandling.

Need any other parts? Or any help, give our friendly Customer Service team a call at 800-331-0839 or e-mail us at csinfo@genericparts.com 

Got your sparkly new pallet jack. But wait: the handle is not attached!

To install a new pallet jack handle, first lower the jack completely by pressing the foot pedal. This will ensure that the unit doesn't come down unexpectedly onto your hands.

Assembly Steps

1. Remove the retaining pin: Use pliers to remove the cotter pin holding the handle axle and slide the axle out partially.
2. Position the handle: Place the handle assembly with the chain behind the roller and set the control lever in the down (pump) position. 
3. Route the control chain: Set the handle into the pump and partially slide the axle in so you can pivot it. Drop the control chain through the center hole in the handle axle. 
4. Secure the axle: Push the axle all the way in and use a hammer & pliers to install the roll pin to lock it into place. 
5. Release the return spring: Pull the handle down and remove the retaining pin holding the handle return spring so the handle can rise fully. 
6. Connect the chain: Attach the chain and connector to the foot pedal, then tighten the jam nut on top of the pedal finger-tight. 

You can follow along our step-by-step video: 

Testing the Jack

Since the handle comes pre-adjusted from the factory, you can test it directly: 

• Pump Mode: Pump the handle to ensure the jack goes up.
• Neutral Mode: Lift the lever into the neutral position; the jack should stay lifted but not rise as you pump. 

Are you replacing the handle? You can follow along this video

 

and get your new handle, and other replacement parts at Generic Parts Service.

Keep Your Carts Rolling When the Temperature Rises.

Heat eater casters are used anywhere carts, racks, or equipment need to move through very hot environments, such as bakery ovens, industrial furnaces, kilns, autoclaves, and sterilization areas. They’re built to keep rolling without melting, warping, or losing strength when exposed to heat and repeated cleaning cycles.

What to look for

• Temperature rating: Make sure the caster is rated for your actual operating temperature, not just room temperature. Standard casters often fail above about 150°F, while high-heat models are built for much hotter conditions.
• Load capacity under heat: Heat reduces capacity, so choose a caster with extra margin rather than one that barely matches the load.
• Wheel material: Phenolic, cast iron, forged steel, and high-temp nylon are common choices; avoid ordinary plastics for serious heat.
• Bearing and lubrication: Look for heat-resistant bearings and lubricants that can survive repeated hot cycles.
• Environment and cleaning: If the caster will face steam, washing, or corrosion, confirm it is suitable for wet or sanitizing conditions, not just dry heat.
• Wheel style and size: Swivel casters help with maneuvering, while larger wheels often roll easier over floors and thresholds.

Heat Eater Casters made out of Epoxy resin wheels offer superior moisture resistance and toughness, making them ideal for wash-down environments and food applications.
Constructed with solid epoxy resin, our wheels are designed primarily for rigorous environments involving harsh chemicals and moisture.  
The superior moisture resistance is making them safe for frequent wash-downs and ideal for food applications. 
They are inherently tough, resist shock, and are non-marking on floors.

Available as

High Temperature Caster Wheel Only, 4 X 1-1/2"

or as  Swivel Caster Complete Assembly

The safest purchase is the one matched to the full duty cycle: heat level, load, floor type, and how often the equipment will go in and out of the hot zone. For bakery, oven, and autoclave use, ask for the exact temperature limit, time-at-temperature rating, and any PSI or sterilization specs if applicable. A caster that works briefly at high heat may still fail if it has to live there all day.

A simple example: a bakery rack going into a 500°F oven needs a caster made for high-temp use, with enough capacity after heat derating and a material that won’t soften or crack.

We also have Casters for your Shopping Carts, Tray Carts, and Stocking Carts.

Why stock wheel kits for my pallet jacks?

 

The advantages of having kits on-hand: 

• Faster repairs. When a wheel fails, having the kit on hand gets equipment back in service sooner.

• Less downtime. Worn or damaged wheels can stop a pallet jack from moving properly, which can slow operations and create safety issues.

• Better consistency. Stocking the right kit for each common model helps avoid mismatched parts and repeat troubleshooting.

• Lower maintenance friction. Wheel kits are a normal wear-item for busy warehouses, especially where jacks are used daily.

• Protection for floors and products. Good wheels reduce noise, floor marking, and rough handling from damaged or dragging wheels.

When stocking makes the most sense

Stocking wheel kits is most useful if you have multiple pallet jacks, frequent wheel wear, rough floors, debris, wet docks, or hard-to-match equipment. 

It also makes sense if your team wants to avoid waiting on parts during peak hours.

Practical rule

If the same wheel issues keep coming up, stocking kits usually saves time and money versus buying parts one repair at a time. For a busy operation, it’s basically insurance against avoidable downtime.

For most pallet jacks, high-quality aftermarket wheel kits are usually the better value, while OEM is the safer choice when you need exact fit, warranty protection, or you’re standardizing on a manufacturer-approved part. Aftermarket wheels can often match or exceed OEM performance at a lower price, but quality varies more by supplier.

Generic Partswheel kits contain quality after-market replacement wheels, and the additional hardware, like bearings, axles and snap rings, is free.

Aftermarket wheels

Aftermarket kits are typically 30% to 50% cheaper than OEM replacements, which matters a lot if you maintain a fleet. Good polyurethane aftermarket wheels are often the sweet spot for indoor warehouse use because they balance durability, floor protection, and rolling performance. Different wheel materials are recommended for different applications. Read more about different wheel material.

Simple buying rule

• Choose aftermarket for cost savings, common models, and fast fleet maintenance.
• Choose OEM for warranty-sensitive jobs, or specialized jacks.

Generic Parts offers load wheel kits, since load wheels wear the most, and also complete wheel kits that include all the additional parts to replace the steer wheels.

When is a wheel too much worn?

When the diameter is about .25” from new. Read more about wheel inspection.

Not sure how to replace the wheels? Just follow our step-by-step video on replacing the load wheels, and on replacing the steerwheels on your pallet jack.

BTW we also have electric wheel kits for lift trucks and walkies.

Make sure to check our website for any other parts you might need!