The Unicraft PHW manual pallet trucks are professional handling devices designed for the horizontal movement of pallets, palletised goods and heavy loads in warehouses, workshops, production departments, logistics areas, technical laboratories, vehicle workshops and maintenance environments. They are intended for low lifting, floor-level transport and positioning of goods, materials, boxes, components and equipment within the work area. Their robust construction and simple operation make them suitable for daily use where fast, safe and battery-free handling is required.

The range shown includes the PHW 2508 K and PHW 2508 models, both with a load capacity of 2.5 t. The main difference is the fork length: the PHW 2508 K has 800 mm forks and is particularly suitable when compact dimensions, a reduced turning radius and manoeuvrability in tight spaces are required; the PHW 2508 has 1,150 mm forks and is more suitable for standard pallets and loads requiring greater support depth. Both models have a total width of 540 mm and a fork width of 160 mm.

The frame and forks are made of steel with a very stable shell structure resistant to torsion. This is important because the pallet truck must carry heavy loads and maintain rigidity during lifting, pushing, pulling and steering. A rigid structure helps reduce deformation, bending and instability, improving load control and equipment durability over time. The product is therefore suitable for professional environments where the pallet truck is used frequently and with heavy loads.

Lifting is performed by a quiet hydraulic pump with chrome-plated piston and overload valve. The pump raises the forks progressively through the movement of the tiller, while the overload valve protects the system when the load exceeds the permitted conditions. The pump stroke is 9 mm, indicating the lifting progression with each operation. The manual hydraulic pump makes the pallet truck independent of batteries, chargers or electrical connections.

The control lever allows lifting, lowering and neutral position to be operated with one hand. This simplifies normal warehouse operations, as the operator can lift the load, move it and lower it while maintaining control of the tiller. The neutral position is useful during travel because the pallet truck can be moved without activating the pump or lowering function. The foot release lever also allows gradual lowering, providing more practical control when the load must be placed carefully.

The minimum fork height is 85 mm, while the maximum fork height is 200 mm. This range is suitable for most operations with compatible pallets and allows the forks to be inserted under the load, raised just enough to avoid contact with the floor and moved in a controlled way. The pallet truck is not designed to lift loads to high levels like a stacker or forklift, but to move pallets at low height, improving speed, ergonomics and safety in internal handling operations.

The wheels and rollers are mounted on bearings to improve smooth running and reduce the effort required from the operator during movement. The wheels have a diameter of 200 mm and a width of 50 mm, while the rollers have a diameter of 80 mm and a width of 70 mm. The wheel material is aluminium and polyamide, while the rollers are made of polyurethane. This combination is designed to provide strength and good rolling performance on smooth, compact and regular industrial floors, such as warehouse, workshop or production surfaces.

The front rollers allow easier entry into pallets with lower cross members, helping the forks slide in and reducing jamming during insertion. This detail is particularly useful when handling pallets with more closed geometries, worn pallets or loads that are not positioned in an ideal way. Correct fork insertion helps distribute the load better, reduce impacts and improve stability during lifting.

The ergonomic tiller with plastic coating improves operator comfort and makes manoeuvring easier during daily use. The PHW 2508 K model has a steering angle of 186° and a turning radius of 835 mm, making it particularly suitable for narrow spaces and close manoeuvres. The PHW 2508 model has a steering angle of 205° and a turning radius of 1,281 mm, consistent with its longer forks. The choice between the two models should therefore consider pallet type, available space, frequency of use and the need to manoeuvre in narrow aisles.

In practical applications, the PHW pallet trucks are suitable for loading and unloading, supplying assembly lines, moving pallets in warehouses, handling goods in workshops, preparing shipments, feeding workstations and internal material management. They can be used by logistics operators, maintenance technicians, craftsmen, production technicians, mechanical workshops, assembly companies, body shops, tyre service operators, vehicle repairers and technical departments needing a simple and robust device for daily handling.

For correct use, the load weight must always be checked and the nominal capacity of 2.5 t must never be exceeded. The forks must be fully inserted under the pallet, the load must be centred and evenly distributed, and movement must take place with the load raised only as much as necessary. Uneven floors, excessive ramps, obstacles, holes, chips, residues or surfaces that may affect wheel rolling and pallet stability should be avoided.

The choice of model should be based on the application. The PHW 2508 K, with dimensions of 1,200x540x1,235 mm and a net weight of about 60 kg, is suitable for environments where short forks, reduced footprint and greater manoeuvrability are required. The PHW 2508, with dimensions of 1,550x540x1,235 mm and a net weight of about 67 kg, is more suitable for standard pallets and handling operations requiring a longer useful fork length. Both are reliable solutions for companies looking for a robust, practical manual pallet truck for continuous professional use.