Keep Your Pallet Jack Running Like New
Look, we get it. Pallet jacks are workhorses. They haul thousands of pounds every single day, and it's easy to forget they need a little TLC too. But here's the thing: most pallet jacks only make it 3 to 5 years before they're done. With some basic maintenance? You're looking at 10+ years. That's real money saved and a lot fewer headaches.
Think of it this way—spending a few minutes each month on maintenance beats scrambling to replace a broken jack or dealing with downtime when you're slammed.
The Parts That Need Your Attention
Your pallet jack has several spots that need regular lubrication to keep everything moving smoothly:
The wheels are your first concern, both the load wheels that carry the weight and the steer wheels that help you maneuver. The axles and bearings take a beating and need regular care.
The hydraulic system is the heart of your jack. The pump mechanism, handle, and piston all have moving parts that need to stay lubricated to work properly.
Don't forget the fork channels. Those vertical sliding surfaces that let your forks go up and down. If these get gunked up, you'll know it immediately.
The release lever controls how your load comes down, and its pivot points need to move freely. Same goes for all the other pivot points throughout the jack where parts connect and move.
Finally, those load roller bearings underneath? They're supporting massive weight and need to be in good shape.
How to Actually Do This
Start with a clean slate. Seriously, before you add any new lubricant, spray Gear Hugger Heavy-Duty Degreaser on the dirty parts. Let it break down all that old grease and grime, then wipe everything clean with a rag. If things are really grimy, rinse with water and make sure it's totally dry before moving on. New lubricant works way better on a clean surface.
Take care of those wheels. Squeaky wheels aren't just annoying—they're crying out for help. Apply Gear Hugger Lubricant to the axles and where the bearings sit. Give the wheels a good spin to work the lubricant in. Don't skip the steer wheels just because they're smaller.
Show the hydraulic pump some love. Hit those pivot points on the pump handle and the piston rod with lubricant. Then pump the handle 10 to 15 times to spread it around. You should feel the difference—smooth and consistent, no sticking or grinding.
Get inside the fork channels. Spray lubricant inside the channels where the forks slide, and don't miss the heel pivot points. Raise and lower the forks 5 to 10 times to distribute everything evenly. Wipe off any excess so nobody slips on it.
Check the release lever. Apply lubricant to where the lever pivots. If yours has cables, get those connection points too. Test it out to make sure it releases smoothly.
Don't forget the load rollers. First, use the degreaser to clean out any junk that's built up in the assembly. Then apply lubricant to the bearing points and manually spin the rollers to work it in.
When to Do What
Every day (just 2 to 3 minutes): Give your jack a quick once-over. See anything weird? Hear any squeaks? Hit problem spots with a little lubricant and do a quick function test. That's it.
Once a week (10 to 15 minutes): Clean and lubricate the handle and release lever. Get some lubricant into those fork channels. Run through a full test to make sure everything's working right.
Monthly (30 to 45 minutes): This is your full service. Clean everything thoroughly with the degreaser. Lubricate all the wheels and every moving part. Take your time and really clean all the components. Look for anything that's wearing out. Write down what you did and when—trust us, these logs come in handy.
Every three months (1 to 2 hours): Time for the deep dive. Do a full teardown and cleaning. Replace anything that's worn out. Lubricate everything completely. If you're not confident with the hydraulics, this is when you might want to bring in a pro for that part.
When Things Go Wrong
Wheels won't roll smoothly? Clean them with degreaser, lubricate the axles and bearings, and give the wheels a spin. Usually fixes it right up.
Pump feels hard to use? Lubricate the pivot points, check your hydraulic fluid level, and you might need to bleed some air out of the system.
Forks acting up? If they won't lift or lower smoothly, degrease and lubricate those fork channels. Also check that the release lever is working properly.
Hearing squeaks or grinding? Find where it's coming from and lubricate it. While you're at it, check if anything's loose and needs tightening. If it's worn out, replace it before it gets worse.
Steering feels tough? The caster swivel and steer bearings probably need to be degreased and lubricated.
Quick Tips to Remember
Always clean before you lubricate. It makes a huge difference.
Don't go overboard with the lubricant. Too much just attracts dirt and makes a mess.
Show your operators how to do basic care. Everyone should know the basics.
Keep a maintenance log. You'll start to see patterns and catch problems early.
Fix little problems right away. They never get better on their own.
The Bottom Line
Your pallet jack moves serious weight every single day. Taking care of it isn't complicated—it just needs to be done regularly. Clean it with Gear Hugger Degreaser before you lubricate, use the Plant-Based Lubricant to keep everything moving, and stick to a schedule.
Do this and your jack will last longer, cost you less in repairs, and most importantly, keep your crew safe. Keep these Gear Hugger products in your maintenance area and you'll wonder why you didn't start doing this sooner.
Why Gear Hugger?
These products are designed to actually outperform traditional petroleum-based stuff. They're biodegradable and eco-friendly, so you're not trashing the planet. The formulas are non-toxic, which means no nasty fumes for your team to breathe. They penetrate better and clean more effectively than most alternatives. Plus, they're multi-purpose—one system handles your whole pallet jack. You'll get longer-lasting protection, which means less frequent maintenance. And they're USDA BioPreferred certified, so you know the sustainability claims are legit, not just marketing talk.