Choose a pallet truck using your actual loaded pallet weight, fork fit and floor conditions. Compare the current 2000kg and 3000kg models by their specifications rather than assuming capacity is the only difference.
What the load rating means
The rated capacity is the maximum a truck is designed to lift and roll with the load centred on the forks. Pallets are rarely loaded evenly, floors are rarely perfect, and a truck that is regularly worked at its limit wears its pump, bearings and wheels faster. The practical rule is to choose the rating above your heaviest pallet, so the truck is working inside its capacity every time.
Two other things the rating does not tell you: the truck's own weight (a 3000kg truck is heavier and takes a little more effort to start rolling unladen) and its size, which is set by the forks, not the rating.
Our 2000kg and 3000kg trucks compared
| 2000kg | 3000kg standard | 3000kg Premium | 3000kg wide fork | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rated capacity | 2000kg | 3000kg | 3000kg | 3000kg |
| Fork configuration | 550 × 1150mm | 550 × 1150mm | 550 × 1150mm | 685 × 1200mm |
| Wheels | Plastic | Nylon | Polyurethane (PU) | Nylon |
| Colours | Red, yellow | Red, orange, yellow, blue | Blue | Green |
What changes with the rating is the hydraulic unit and the frame's rated load. What changes with the model is the fork configuration and the wheel material: three of the four share 550 × 1150mm forks, while the wide-fork truck is 685 × 1200mm. The full specification is listed on each product page.
When 2000kg is enough
Most pallets in a general warehouse, retail stockroom, workshop or factory weigh well under two tonnes. Cartons of retail stock, packaged goods, boxed parts and most consumables produce pallets in the 300–1000kg range. If your heaviest pallet is under about 1500kg, a 2000kg truck works with headroom. Choose a truck with sufficient rated capacity for the load and fork dimensions compatible with the pallet and its entry direction.
See the whole 2000kg pallet trucks collection.
When 3000kg is the right choice
Choose 3000kg when any of these apply:
- Pallets of building materials, bagged goods, tiles, paving, drinks, liquids or metal – these regularly exceed 1500kg and can approach two tonnes.
- Loads vary from pallet to pallet and you want one truck that covers all of them.
- The truck is in use all day. Working well inside the rating is easier on the pump and the operator.
- Goods-in receives mixed deliveries and you cannot control what arrives.
Our standard 3000kg truck comes in four colours – the red 3000kg pallet truck is the most popular – with 550 × 1150mm forks, 4.2mm steel and nylon wheels. If the truck will be pushed all day on a smooth floor, the Premium 3000kg pallet truck has the same specification on polyurethane wheels, which run more quietly than nylon. See the whole 3000kg pallet trucks collection.
Why more capacity is not always better
A 3000kg truck is not a universal upgrade. It costs more, the truck itself is heavier, and if you never load more than 800kg the extra capacity does nothing for you. Fork dimensions affect daily use more than an unused tonne of capacity. Buy the rating your heaviest pallet needs, then choose the forks for the pallets and the space – the pallet truck fork size guide covers that decision.
Warehouse, factory and yard use
- Warehouse and distribution: mixed pallets, all day – 3000kg standard, or Premium PU for smooth floors and noise.
- Retail stockroom and back-of-house: lighter pallets – 2000kg. Check the fork length and the space you have to turn in against the truck you are buying.
- Factory and workshop: heavy raw materials – 3000kg. For long stock, compare the load length with the fork length listed on each truck before ordering.
- Van and lorry loading: check the truck fits the vehicle bed and the tail lift, and chock the wheels so it cannot roll in transit. A parking brake holds a stationary truck; it does not make a loaded truck safe to move on a slope, so plan the route and the gradient rather than relying on one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 2000kg pallet truck lift 2500kg occasionally?
It is rated at 2000kg and should not be used above that. If you ever see 2500kg pallets, you need a 3000kg truck.
Are 3000kg trucks bigger than 2000kg trucks?
Not by the rating. Size is set by the forks, not the capacity: the 2000kg trucks and the standard and Premium 3000kg trucks are all listed at 550 × 1150mm, and the wide-fork 3000kg truck is 685 × 1200mm.
Do manual pallet trucks need charging or maintenance?
No charging – they are hand-pumped hydraulic trucks. Keep the wheels clear of debris and the pump topped with hydraulic oil as described in the manual. They are supplied fully assembled.
Which is best for Euro pallets?
Most of our trucks are listed at 550mm external fork width; the wide-fork 3000kg truck is 685mm. Measure the fork pockets on the pallets you handle, decide which side the forks will enter from, and compare both against the fork dimensions listed on each truck – see the fork size guide.
Ready to buy? Compare 2000kg pallet trucks and 3000kg pallet trucks, or browse all pallet trucks. Buying several? Ask for bulk pricing.