General Maintenance on Your Pallet Jack

Keeping your pallet jack in good working condition limits its downtime, and saves you money in the long run.

Here are some helpful hints when repairing and performing maintenance on your pallet jacks

• Never hammer directly on an axle; always use a pin punch.
• Always replace old roll pins.  It is very important to use the correct roll pin to prevent damage to the mating (=connecting) parts.
• Replace accessible bushings whenever the jack is disassembled. Our custom-designed bushing extractor makes it quick and easy to remove all bushings.

Load Rollers

Load rollers should have neither flat spots nor large pieces of metal embedded in them (i.e. tacks, nails, or metal shavings). Any chips in the wheel that keep it from rolling smoothly indicate the need for replacement. If the wheel has cracks, loose tread, or does not turn freely, replace both wheels. Always change the wheels in pairs to reduce uneven wear. 

New load rollers have an outside diameter of 3" (PTH50) or 3 1/4" (PTH). If the diameter is worn more than 1/4" from normal size, replacement is necessary.

Need to replace your load wheels - See current pricing and availability here.

For step-by-step instructions on how to replace the load wheels, watch our video.

Steer Wheels

Steer wheels should have neither flat spots nor large pieces of metal embedded in them (i.e. tacks, nails, or metal shavings). Chips in the wheel which keep it from rolling smoothly indicate replacement. Steer wheels should turn freely. They should not rub the bottom of the traverse. 

If the diameter is worn more than 1/4" from the normal size, replacement is necessary.

Need to replace your steer wheels - See current pricing and availability here.

For step-by-step instructions on how to replace the steer wheels, watch our video.

Handle

Inspect the handle for cracks and structural integrity. There should be minimal side play in the handle bracket. Check for worn bushings.
If bushings are not replaced regularly, the handle bracket holes can become worn. Damaged holes cause pin failure and may require complete replacement. Also, inspect the handle pin and roller for flat areas and wear. If any of the above parts are worn more than 1/16", replace them.

For step-by-step instructions on how to replace the handle, watch our video.

Hydraulic Unit

For inspection and of the hydraulic unit, read this blog post.

To rebuild the hydraulic unit, read this blog post.

Hydraulic Unit Service Hints

• Tampering and abuse are two of the most common problems. In most cases, minor repairs become major when inexperienced people attempt to rebuild a hydraulic unit. If you come across a unit that looks like it has been tampered with or modified, inspect the unit carefully to be sure it can be rebuilt or call Generic Parts Service for technical assistance (1-800-331-0839).
• The pump piston and ram are polished to a fine finish for maximum seal life and minimum oil leakage. If you see these surfaces nicked or pitted, this will cause the unit to fail in a short time. Replace any rusty or damaged parts that will cause premature wear on their mating parts or the body of the hydraulic unit.
• Use UNI-HO hydraulic oil. Do not use automotive oil or hydraulic brake fluid.

You find quality replacement parts for most brands of pallet jacks on our website www.GenericParts.com. We ship same day! (if ordered by 6:00 p.m. EST)

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Give our friendly Customer Service team a call at 800-331-0839 or email us at csinfo@genericparts.com