Stuck Pallet Jack

[FrazerH]

I dropped a perfectly functional pallet ******** a forklift whilst trying to load it on to a truck. It fell about 5 feet landing on the area of the handle pivot/piston etc. when I set it back upright it it had risen to the full raised position and will not drop. Anyone have an idea on a fix?

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Frazer,
Welcome to the group. I bet that was pretty embarrassing. Glad no one got hurt.

I'll throw out a guess: There probably is a linkage between the release handle (around the top of the pump handle) and the valve at the cylinder, that came disconnected. This release is the same thing as the valve that you unscrew on a hydraulic bottle jack.

 

[chruler]

^^^^^Yup^^^^^

 

[wendlwacker]

Does it have a foot release? Mine do. Sometimes they get out of adjustment and we just use the foot release until I have time to readjust them.

 

[Hiball]

It could be that the linkage from the handle if equipped came loose, or it simply could be air bound from the Ram being pulled up without hydraulic pressure behind it, or it could be a Combinatin of the 2. I would first check the release linkage and then most importantly pull the fill plug or cap if equipped, then see what happens. If it doesn't start to drop, Have someone stand on the forks near the back with the pallet Jack in the release position and see if that will do the trick. Once you get it down, give it a good bleed procedure.

 

[dledmo]

Pressure release valve or the linkage to it. Sometimes jacks get stuck in the up position and need a bit of a nudge to get the hydraulic fluid back into the reservoir. Stand on it and activate the pressure release valve.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Ease the forklift forks down onto it to provide some weight, then try the release.