The material handling pieces you rely on in your warehouse operation make everyday work processes far easier to achieve. Therefore, having pieces that function exactly as they should are valuable to achieving proper production levels on a daily basis. This statement is probably no truer than what it is with pallet jacks. Often used to maneuver palletized merchandise from one point to another within a warehouse, the wheels of pallet jacks must be free-rolling and working well. If not, they can generate a lot of problems. Here is a look at some of the common issues with pallet jack wheels and the likely causes.
Problem: The wheels get stuck occasionally and interrupt rolling movements
Likely Cause: If the wheels get stuck every few turns, there could be a problem with the turning mechanisms of the wheel. It is not uncommon for jacks that have been left outdoors or exposed to a lot of moisture to develop this kind of issue due to corrosion of the metal parts of the wheel. If this is the case, the wheels will likely have to be replaced, along with any other parts of the wheel that are meant to turn freely and have corroded.
Problem: The wheels are screeching and squeaking when the pallet jack is in motion
Likely Cause: The ball bearings inside of pallet jack wheels should prevent a lot of sound when the wheels are rolling, but if you are hearing screeching and squeaking, it may just mean those bearings need to be lubed with a good lubricant. In some cases, the noise can be the result of something being caught on the wheel and dragging against the floor. In either situation, the wheels will have to be accessed to be cleaned or lubricated as needed.
Problem: The wheels refuse to turn at all even with a lot of force
Likely Cause: If the wheels will not turn at all, there can be a few problems. There may be something stuck in the wheel that is preventing it from turning. The housing between the wheel and the jack itself on the wheels on the forks can be pretty small, so if something gets caught here, it could easily prevent rolling. If the wheels are excessively worn on one side to cause them to have a flattened side, which is common with older units with solid rubber tires, this can also prevent rolling. If this is the case, then you may need to simply replace the wheels.
To get replacement wheels or tips on how to fix these problems, then consult with a material handling company near you.
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