Which Pallet Jack Steer Wheels Are The Best

There are a host of different materials for steer wheels available. 

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

What's best for your pallet jack depends on where and how you use it.

Poly Tread on Nylon Hub

 

These have a chemical bond that secures the poly tread to a steel core (or hub). They mark floors the least while rolling easily and quietly. 

Best for 

  • Display floors
  • Carpeting
  • Warehouses

Not good for really heavy loads (2,500lb +). If left to sit for more than 8 hours, there is a possibility of the wheels flat-spotting.

Ultra-Poly Tread on Aluminum hub

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). 

Best for extreme temperatures and floors that can’t be marked up.

Not good for heavy loads. They also flat-spot under heavy loads of 2500lbs for long periods of time.

Solid Nylon Wheel

This is a harder material that is best for cold storage applications. 

Best for use in environments that may cause rust or corrosion. You may want this wheel if you are working

  • In poultry processing
  • With seafood
  • In refrigerated transport trucks
  • In trucks with grated floors
  • On rough pavement

Not good for floors that must remain streak or mark free. Do not use these inside a

  • Showroom
  • Hotel lobby
  • Upscale store

Solid Steel Wheel

When all else fails you may need solid steel wheels. 

Best for use on 

  • Factory floors where there may be metal shavings or hard debris on the floor
  • 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
  • Rough outdoor cement, pavement, or 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 steer wheels. They are located on the main body of the jack, attached to the hydraulic unit, and therefore the handle.

Unless a pallet jack is brand new, we always recommend replacing both steer wheels at the same time. 

There is a legitimate benefit:   

  • Steer wheels wear down and get shorter the longer you have used them
  • Steer wheels (like pallet jack load wheels, or the tires on your car) do not act independently but are a portion of a larger machine 
  • Even a small difference in diameter causes stress on the mating (aka connected) parts which then causes issues down the line 

You find all variation wheels for most pallet jack brands here.

Because we so strongly advocate changing both at the same time we created pallet jack wheel kits  to get you everything you need, even the load wheels, and they are priced so that the hardware comes for free. 

Here is an example:

 

Complete wheel kit for Crown PTH 50

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

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