IronMover 5500 Manual Pallet Jack
The workhorse of the warehouse. 5,500 lb manual hydraulic pallet mover.
5,500 lb manual hydraulic pallet jack. Steel frame, sealed hydraulic cylinder, 7.75-inch lowered height, 48-inch fork length. Works with standard GMA and Euro pallets.
- 5,500 lb rated capacity — handles loaded standard pallets with ease
- 7.75-inch lowered height — fits under standard GMA and Euro pallets
- 27-inch fork spread — standard GMA pallet width
- 48-inch fork length — full pallet depth support
- Heavy-duty sealed hydraulic cylinder with chrome-plated piston
- 7-inch polyurethane load wheels — smooth on concrete, docks, and ramps
- Three-position pump handle: raise, neutral, lower
- Full-perimeter bumper guard — protects racking and product
✓ In Stock — Ships in 5-10 business days
| Weight | 160 lbs |
| Capacity | 5,500 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Fork Length | 48 inches |
| Handle Type | 3-position (raise/neutral/lower) |
| Load Wheels | 7" polyurethane, tandem |
| Steer Wheels | 3.5" solid rubber |
| Raised Height | 7.75 inches |
| Frame Material | Heavy-gauge steel, powder-coated |
| Lowered Height | 7.75 inches (2.97 inches minimum under forks) |
| Fork Width (spread) | 27 inches |
Multi-angle views of the IronMover 5500 Manual Pallet Jack. Click any image to zoom.
See this class of lift in action. The video below shows installation, real-world operation, and the kind of shop this lift belongs in.
Pallet jacks use a hydraulic pump system (manual) or electric motor and hydraulics (powered) to raise pallets a few inches off the floor for transport. Operation is straightforward — the main variables are load limits and floor surface awareness.
🔧 Pump Handle (Manual)
The three-position pump handle controls all motion: pump up to raise the forks, neutral (horizontal) to maintain height, rotate down to lower. Pump 5–10 strokes to reach operating height. The forks only need to clear the ground by 1–2 inches for transport.
🎮 Tiller Controls (Electric)
The tiller arm has a throttle thumb lever (forward/reverse), a lift/lower button, and a horn. Squeeze the tiller handle to enable drive — releasing the handle automatically applies the electromagnetic brake and stops the unit. Creep mode (low-speed position) allows precise pallet placement.
📐 Entering Pallets
Align the forks with the pallet openings before entering. Approach straight — angled entry twists the forks and can split pallet boards. Center the load on the forks; off-center loads shift weight and reduce effective capacity. For floor-level pallets, approach slowly to avoid ramping the fork tips over the bottom board.
🛑 Stopping & Lowering
Manual: rotate handle to lower position; gravity lowers the forks through the hydraulic release valve. Electric: use the lower button or release the tiller to brake, then press lower. Lower the load fully before leaving the jack unattended — never leave a load elevated.
⚙️ Load Capacity Markings
The rated capacity is stamped on the data plate and must not be exceeded. Overloading a manual pallet jack distorts the forks and can cause sudden hydraulic failure. Overloading an electric jack can burn out the drive motor or trigger the overload cutout sensor.
🛡️ Ramp & Incline Safety
Manual pallet jacks are rated for flat floor operation only — do not use on ramps or inclines. Electric walkie jacks have a rated grade (typically 5–10%) — check the data plate. On any grade, always keep the load on the uphill side of the machine to prevent runaway.
🔒 Parking & Unattended Units
Never leave a pallet jack with a load elevated — always lower the forks fully before leaving the machine. For electric units, apply the parking brake (tiller in vertical position) and remove the key when leaving unattended. Block the wheels if parking on any incline.
🚨 Pinch Point Awareness
The area around the forks, wheels, and tiller arm contains pinch and crush points. Keep feet clear of the fork tips when entering pallets. Never position your body between the jack and a fixed object. On electric rider models, the platform area has an auto-cutout if the operator is not on the platform.
How does this compare?
Manual pallet jacks are the backbone of warehouse material handling for a reason: no charging, no battery, no maintenance beyond occasional hydraulic fluid checks. At this price point, the quality differential is in the hydraulic cylinder (sealed vs open), wheel diameter (larger is better for transitions), and steel gauge. This unit uses a fully sealed hydraulic cylinder — critical in cold storage and outdoor dock environments where condensation ruins open-cylinder units. For operations moving 50+ pallets per day, step up to an electric pallet jack to reduce operator fatigue.