Which load wheel is best?

You need wheels for a pallet jack. 

Have you ever gone online or studied a catalog and thought "Aren't all pallet jack wheels the same?" or "I have no idea what I need!"? Or maybe you service pallet jacks and the wheels just are not lasting as long as you (or the person paying the bills) would like?

In this post, we are going to take a look at the different load wheel options we offer, and their pros and cons.

Load Wheel Options;

Polyurethane and Ultra-Polyurethane treads are the most common wheel treads you'll encounter on a pallet truck.

Polyurethane (Poly) Tread Wheels: These have a chemical bond that secures the poly tread to a steel core (or hub). This option is ideal for display floors, carpeting, and warehouses. They mark floors the least while rolling easily and quietly. Under really heavy loads (2,500lb +), if left to sit more than 8 hours, there is a possibility of the wheels flat spotting.  

Ultra-Poly Wheels: Longer lasting and they roll more easily than regular poly, also a chemical bond on a steel core. Ultra-poly is very hard and won't shatter like nylon if too cold (i.e. in and out of a freezer). They are also non-marking with the possibility of flat spotting, as mentioned above.

Nylon Wheels: This is a harder material that is best for cold storage applications. It is also the material of choice for use in environments that may cause rust or corrosion like poultry processing, and working with seafood. It can also be the best choice for refrigerated transport trucks that have the grated floors. Lastly, they can be a good choice if the pallet truck is taken outside on rough pavement. These are however more likely than poly to mark floors, so be mindful when using inside a showroom or a hotel lobby, for example.

Steel Wheels: When all else fails you may need solid steel wheels. These are best for use on factory floors where there may be metal shavings or hard debris on the floor, and where noise is not an issue. What they lack in their ability for use in a sneak attack (they’re pretty loud) they make up for in sheer durability. These are also a good choice if you need to work outside on rough asphalt. But they can damage nice floors, so avoid use on floors you want to remain "pretty". 

One Wheel or Two?

Now that you've got an idea of which type of wheel is best for your specific uses you are faced with another sometimes tough decision. One wheel or two?

First, most pallet jacks have two load wheels. One load wheel is located under each fork. At times you'll have what's called a tandem assembly which means there are two wheels under each fork but they share the same bracket.

Unless a pallet jack is brand new, we always recommend replacing both load wheels at the same time. No, we are not just trying to up-sell you! There is a legitimate benefit, so hang on with me for a little longer. Have you ever gone to have the tires on your vehicle replaced and told the sales guy you only wanted one? You probably got the funny squinty eyes from the sales guy for this same reason.  

Load wheels wear down and get shorter the longer you have used them. Load wheels (like pallet jack steer wheels or the tires on your car) do not act independently but are a portion of a larger machine. Even a little difference in diameter causes stress on the mating (aka connected) parts which then causes issues down the line. One example would be of the pivot axles that are located the load wheel brackets eating through the bushings, or egging out the holes in that bracket or where they articulate (attach) in the fork frame. You may not notice there is an issue until something breaks, or you go to replace that originally unchanged wheel and find you need a whole new bracket on one or both sides. 

Trust us that replacing the whole load wheel bracket is more time consuming and expensive than choosing two wheels during regular maintenance.

Because we so strongly advocate changing both at the same time we created wheel kits to get you everything you need, and they are priced lower than the two wheels by themselves. Here is an example - - GWK-BF-LW

Extra Resources

Here are some more links you may find handy as you venture down the road of replacing your load wheels

YouTube Video - How to Identify your pallet jack

YouTube Video - How to remove corroded/rusty load wheel axle

YouTube Video - Step-by-step: Replace load wheels on your pallet jack

Have a suggestion for a future blog post?  

Need help ordering parts from www.genericparts.com?  

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

Safely turn over a jack

Sometimes we encounter a question like "Is routine maintenance really needed on a pallet jack?" The simple answer is yes, routine maintenance is important when it comes to getting the most out of your pallet jack.  Depending on the size of your operation a pallet jack may be replaceable or it may very well be an integral part of the the livelihood of your whole company.  Where ever you may land in the spectrum we can all agree throwing money away through lack of maintenance can negatively impact the bottom line. 

Most of the parts you'll need to keep an eye on are found in the underbelly of the unit. We want to give you practical instructions on how to safely to get to the underside of your pallet jack for two reasons.  First,  let's get rid of a potential excuse to put off the inspection for lack of know-how.  Second, because the breaking toes, twisting of wrists or damaging of the pallet jack defeats the goal to support your bottom line. (No one wants a Worker's Comp Claim).

The best way to turn over your pallet jack and expose the undercarriage keeps you and your equipment safe. We've created a line of instructional 'How To' videos and below you'll find a link to one on safely flipping over a manual pallet jack.  


YouTube - How to flip your jack.

Once you have it turned over and still have full use of all your fingers and toes the next question is "What should I be looking for?"

Start with the Pallet Jack Wheel Inspection (Load and Steer)
Measure the Wheel diameters. Are they worn down 0.25” or more from new?  (I.e. 3” diameter load wheel worn to 2.75” or 7” diameter steer wheel worn to 6.75”)

Is there excessive debris embedded in the wheel tread or chunks of the polyurethane tread material missing?

Are there strings or other material wound around the axle preventing the wheel from turning freely?

Do you see visible cracking of the steer wheel hub around the bearing?

Always replace both load wheels or steer wheels even if only one wheel meets the
criteria for replacement.

Inspect the entry rollers. If they do not turn freely or are visibly damaged, replace.

We recommend performing the above inspection every 6 months


Be sure to check out Generic Parts Service YouTube channel for more 'How To' Videos:

Remove load wheels 

Install load wheels

Replace the load wheels on a pallet jack

Turn the manual jack back upright

Replace the steer wheels on a manual pallet jack

© Copyright 2016, Generic Parts Service Inc.

How to replace corroded Load Wheels

How many of you have wondered how in the world you're going to replace those rusty corroded load wheel axles?  It's no laughing matter when you're face to face with many a different variation of old, broken and rusty.  We hope the resources you find in this post gets the old off and the new rolling smoothly! 

Below you'll find a link where you can follow along with our expert technician so let's get that pallet jack up and running like brand new again!

- First, you'll want to research the necessary replacement parts and place your order online.  The easiest way to get what you need is by ordering a complete wheel kit.  

These kits include new wheels, axles and the fasteners.  Here is one example of the load wheel kit on the Global Pallet Jack model 334475, part number GWK-334475-LW

Click here to see all the wheel kits we have available for manual and electric lift trucks

- Next you'll want to make sure you have all of the required tools on-hand for removal & re-installation:

• Safety Glasses

• Hammer

• Pliers

• 3/16" Pin Punch

• 3/8" Pin Punch

• Hack Saw/Sawzall

Next, follow along with this video !

Be sure to check out Generic Parts Service YouTube channel for more videos:

Remove load wheels

Install load wheels

Replace the wheels on a pallet jack

Turn the manual jack back upright

Replace the steer wheels on a manual pallet jack

What other instructional pallet jack repair videos would you like to see?
Comment below and let us know!

Are all new Pallet Jacks the same?

This blog focuses a lot on helping folks be as efficient as possible when having to repair their pallet jacks.  

BUT - Sometimes the jack is just dead.  No number of helpful tips, perfectly priced kits or incredibly helpful customer service reps will save this pile of junk.

We get it.

But what is the time crunched busy person supposed to do?  The internet is full of cheap jacks.  What's really the difference?

Here are some really important factors to consider when looking at buying a new jack.

1st - You get what you pay for.  Seriously. Cost should honestly NOT be the only factor in your decision making process.  Why?  Because we hear far to often the frustration in a customer's voice when they call 6-12 months after purchasing a pallet jack and the handle bent, or it won't lift.  We are pretty awesome with our replacement parts coverage (have you read the post about how we can help you ID your replacement parts?) but no one wants to work on a new piece of equipment that soon.

2nd- Does the company you are considering carry replacement parts? Do they have real people you can talk to who can help you find what you need?

3rd - What are the terms of the warranty?  Is there a warranty?  Does the company you want to order from carry the replacement parts at their location or do they have to contact their source?

Generic Parts is the perfect company to chose to order your new pallet jacks from.

1. Although we are not the cheapest (and honestly don't want to be), you'll be hard pressed to find a jack that has the same quality for a lower price.

2. We carry all the parts here in our Beaverton, Oregon warehouse.  You can easily order in a number of formats.  Heck, if your local come drop in for a will call.  Our casa is your casa (between 8am-4pm)

3. We offer a 3 year limited warranty.  Why is this important?  Because this is our jack, and we sell all the replacement parts so we can get you out a warranty replacement Same day.  QA issues are few and far between but you can always trust that we will get you taken care of! 


The new Valu-Jack 2.0 is better than ever. Each unit features a cast iron pump for superior long term reliability. Another improvement we've made is a reinforced handle base with an ergonomic rubber grip.

VJ 27X48-55-2 $ 239.00 each* *for six   Please call for pricing on quantities other than six. 210° steering arc 2.9" height with forks lowered, 7.25" raised height Cast iron pump with galvanized finish for superior corrosion resistance and long term reliability Poly/steel steer wheels; solid nylon load wheels Ergonomic rubber grip handle  3-function hand control and foot release  Reinforced handle base Three-year limited warranty covering manufacturer's defects Equipped with pallet entry and exit rollers Scratch resistant powdercoat and zinc-plated hardware throughout  provides added resistance to corrosion. 12 grease fittings located at all pivot points for easy maintenance Replacement parts always in stock.
Valu-Jack Pallet Jack Version 2 Model Numbers indicate Width x Length of forks PART NUMBER  DESCRIPTION   PRICE (EA) $ VJ 27X48-55-2 5500 lb Capacity Standard Forks  239.00 VJ 27X48-55-2-N 5500 lb Capacity Standard Forks with Nylon Load and Steer Wheels  239.00 VJ 27X48-55-2-S 5500 lb Capacity Standard Forks with Steel Load and Steer Wheels  334.00 VJ 27X48-55-2-B 5500 lb Capacity Standard Forks with Brake only (No backrest)  355.00 VJ 20.5X36-55-2 5500 lb Capacity Narrow Short Forks  229.00 VJ 20.5X48-55-2 5500 lb Capacity Narrow Forks  239.00 All pricing for minimum QTY-6. For individual pricing or higher volume discounts, call today!

Seal Kits - Do you need them? Why are there so many?

Have a pallet jack that's sinking down under a load, or it won't release when you pull the lever?  Maybe it's stuck up and won't come back down to Earth. Whatever the issue is we have some tips to help you identify the cause and the parts to get you moving.

One way to trouble shoot a unit that will not lower all the way, or that you are unable to get full handle strokes is to rule out air in the system. It's quick and easy!  All you need to do is Pump the handle 15-20 times while activating the release lever.  Make sure you remove the fill cap first!  This is where the air will escape from. If oil is coming out while you are working through this process it's an indicator that you are not fully in release mode.

If your lift sinks down under a load, you can unhook the chain from the release pin and allow the pin to come out of the valve.  This allows the ball to seat, and may remedy the issue.  If not, it can be an indicator that the valve is honed out and no longer creates a tight seal when the ball seats.

If you have a unit that will not go down, check the release rod and make sure everything is moving freely.  Do the same on the underside of the jack.

Sometimes you just need to do a tear down of the hydraulic unit and rebuild it with a seal kit. Every manufacturer originally included a variation of different parts.  We have found in many cases that there are additional parts that should be replaced at the same time.  Below are outlined the differences between a super seal kit, standard and slim seal kit. 

Slim seal kits include only the most essential and commonly replaced seals. A cost saving option if you know what you need. A Standard or Super seal kit is a better choice if a complete hydraulic unit rebuild is necessary.

BT 11131-Slim

Standard seal kits have all of the parts included in the manufacturers' standard seal kit.

CR 44648 (ex. of a Standard Kit)

Super seal kits contain all parts that are included in a standard seal kit, as well as the most commonly needed parts beyond the standard seal kit to do a complete hydraulic unit rebuild.

MU 200064-901-Super (Ex. of a Super Seal Kit)

When doing the repair, we encourage you to disassemble one section at a time and line up the pieces in the order you take them out.  This will save your you-know-what when you go to install the new pieces.

If you need help deciding which kit to get you can take advantage of our unmatched Customer Service. Our staff has the knowledge and experience to help you with technical problems and even assist with identifying mystery jacks.  (See this post for more on that!) We also track model changes so you can be sure to receive the correct part the first time you place an order.

On select units we have the Rebuild hydraulic unit program  available also. Email or call us today (800)331-0839!

Why ID your pallet jack?

Why bother to Identify Your Jack?

One of the most common calls we receive in customer service goes like this...

Me - Thank you for calling Generic Parts, this is Nicole how can I help you?

You - Hey, I've got this pallet jack, don't know the brand but I need the load wheels. Can you help me with that? Is there a generic (no pun intended) wheel I can use?

Me - We carry wheels for most jacks out there. Can you send me a picture of the hydraulic unit? I can use that to identify what you have and then I'll know what wheels you need. You can e-mail or text a pic to our Customer Service. Can I give you that info?

Now at this point the conversation can go one of many ways. Some simply ask where they can send the picture. Some become very confused as to why a pic of the pump will get the wheels. Then some just decide it's too much work and they don't want to mess with it. 

If you fall into the 2nd or 3rd category there's no need to be confused, frustrated or feel the task is too great my wheel replacing friends!

With so many different types and styles of manual pallet jacks, you may be thinking it's a hassle when you can just buy a new one (we have those too by the way - and they have a 3 year warranty).

I have a secret to tell you -based on a photo of your pallet jack pump, we can quickly and accurately determine the make/model of your pallet jack 99% of the time. It is really that easy.

Why spend $300+ on a pallet jack (and have to figure out what to do with the "dead" one you are replacing) when the remedy can be much less expensive and we do most of the heavy lifting (pun completely intended)

Here's how the process works:

1. Text a side view of the hydraulic pump to (503)523-8990 (include your contact info)- Or - E-mail a side-view photo of the hydraulic pump to CSinfo@GenericParts.com

2. In-house technician ID's unit based on photo submission

3. We call you up with a quote (or send written quote via e-mail)

4. You order replacement parts online or call (800)331-0839



What is a "side-view photo" you ask? Here is an example. It's the most helpful view for us to see the pump body and some of the features that may determine a specific factory variation.

That's it! Once we know what you have we have tools like exploded view breakdowns and videos to guide you through an efficient repair process.

Running low on time or unable to send the photo...? I'm going to share with you a resource we created so you can identify the jack. It's called the hydraulic unit identification sheet so you can identify what you have also.

Pretty neat what a single, clear and correctly positioned photo can accomplish.

Your customer will be happy with right parts the first time. Your bottom line grows with new resources to increase business and support to customer relationships. The landfill is one pallet jack lighter.

We hope you found this blog post helpful! Have an idea or topic for us to cover in the future? Send them over to CSInfo@Genericparts.com !

Wheel Kits for Crown PE4000 Series Lift Trucks

When you're looking for a new set of wheels for your Crown PE4000 electric lift truck, one of these prepackaged load wheel kits will get your equipment back up and running again.

Did you know...
To reduce downtime you should stock extra wheels and forklift tires on hand for emergencies.

Part #
GWK-PE4000-LW
Load wheel kit, Poly

  XL compound also available!!











Part #
CR 79494
Drive tire, Poly 90-92A

Email or call our friendly knowledgeable customer service team for inquiries. 

What items do you regularly stock for your electric lift truck?