Basic Troubleshooting for your Pallet Jack

Your jack is not working properly. So now what?

Here are some tips for basic troubleshooting:

If your jack is not lifting, the first thing to try is to bleed the pump: hold the lever in the release position like you are lowering the jack, and pump the handle about 10 times. This will recycle any air that is still in the hydraulic unit out of the valve and back into the reservoir where it should be.

Bleeding should resolve most lifting problems.

If the jack is still not lifting, the second thing to do is check your oil level. Carefully remove the fill plug to be able to see your oil level. For most brands of pallet jacks, the reservoir shouldn't be filled. The oil level should be about an inch to an inch, i.e., a half below the top.

Are you still having problems? To determine whether the problem is in the pump, or the handle, disconnect the lifting linkage from the lever. Make sure the lever moves freely and it's not sticking to anything. Now try to pump your handle. If the jack raises, you know your problem is in the handle or the linkage. If the jack does not raise, and you have confirmed that the problem is in the pump,  most likely the valve.

Here we show a valve replacement

If the trouble is in the handle, here you can follow along on how to adjust a handle

and here we show how to install a handle

The see all these tips, here is a troubleshooting video for an AC series pallet jack.

If your problem persists with the pump, you might have to rebuild the hydraulic unit. This is a more involved process, which you can follow (shown on a Crown PTH) here.

And finally, if you need parts for your pallet jack, but need to know what brand or model it is, take a picture of the side view of the hydraulic unit like we show you here, and text us the picture. We'll identify it for you!

And remember, your jack is your workhorse! Always inspect your jack regularly, never exceed the load capacity, and wear proper hand and foot protection, to name a few basic safety precautions.

And, of course, always visit Fast Lift Parts for your replacement parts. We recommend always having an extra wheel kit on hand. And we always ship the same day (if ordered before 6pm EST).