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Low Profile Pallet Trucks

Low profile pallet trucks, also known as low profile pallet jacks, are manually operated material handling devices engineered specifically to lift and transport pallets, skids, and equipment that sit very close to the ground. Unlike standard pallet jacks — which typically require a minimum fork entry height of 3" to 3½" — low profile models feature lowered fork heights starting as low as 1½", allowing them to slide beneath loads that a conventional jack simply cannot access.

The need for low profile pallet trucks arises directly from the type of pallets and skids used across many industries. Block pallets, solid deck pallets, display pallets, machinery skids, and certain Euro-style pallets often have little to no bottom clearance, making standard equipment incompatible. Industries such as manufacturing, food and beverage, healthcare, retail distribution, and automotive parts handling routinely use pallets with ground clearances under 2", which makes a low profile pallet truck an operational necessity rather than an optional upgrade.

From a procurement standpoint, investing in low profile pallet trucks allows operations to standardize material flow without modifying existing pallet specifications or acquiring powered lift equipment for tasks that can be handled manually. They are widely deployed in warehouses, distribution centers, loading docks, on-truck delivery operations, factory floors, and healthcare supply rooms. Built from heavy-gauge steel with durable powder-coat finishes and hydraulic systems featuring chrome-plated piston pumps with polyurethane seals, these units are designed to withstand continuous industrial use with minimal maintenance requirements.

Vestil Low Profile Pallet Jack

HOF Equipment Company offers the Vestil PM4 series of low profile pallet jacks in four models, each sharing a 1⅝" (1.875") lowered fork height and a 4,000 lb capacity, but differentiated by fork spread to accommodate varying pallet and skid widths. All four models feature a fork service range of 1⅝" to 6", all-steel construction with a red powder-coat finish, a wide loop ergonomic push handle with fingertip raise/lower/neutral control, a chrome-plated piston hydraulic pump with polyurethane seals, adjustable push rods, lifetime-lubricated bearings, 7" Dia. x 2"W poly-on-steel rear steer casters, and 1⅝" Dia. x 4½"W front steel load rollers. Fork length on all four models is 48"L, and individual fork width is 6¾". Each unit can enter a pallet from all four sides, simplifying load pickup in confined spaces.

The key differentiator across the PM4 series is fork spread (outside dimension), which determines compatibility with various pallet widths:

The most popular model in this series Vestil PM4-2048-LP which offers a narrow fork spread of 20½". A similar model is PM4-2148-LP with a fork spread of 21½". These narrow fork spreads are well suited for narrow-entry pallets and space-constrained environments such as delivery trucks or retail back-of-house areas. The Vestil PM4-2748-LP steps up to a 27" fork spread, making it the right choice for standard GMA-style pallets used heavily in distribution and manufacturing. Finally the Vestil PM4-3348-LP, with the widest spread in this series at 33½", is designed for oversized pallets, heavier machinery skids, and industrial applications where broader load bases are common. All four models are available for purchase as a single unit or as a discounted 6-pack — an advantageous option for fleet buyers equipping loading docks, warehouse zones, or multiple shift teams simultaneously.

Super Low Profile Pallet Jack

For applications where even the 1⅝" fork height of the PM4 series is insufficient, HOF Equipment offers the Vestil PM2 series of super low profile pallet jacks. These units reduce the lowered fork height to just 1½" — a full ⅜" lower than the PM4 models — and are engineered specifically for the most demanding low-clearance scenarios. This includes solid deck pallets with virtually no bottom opening, display pallets used in retail settings, thin machinery bases, and certain specialized medical or pharmaceutical skids. The tradeoff for the additional clearance advantage is a reduced rated capacity of 2,200 lbs compared to the PM4's 4,000 lb rating, making these units best suited for lighter loads that require extreme entry clearance. Fork length across the PM2 series is 44"L (vs. 48"L on the PM4 series), and the fork service range is 1½" to 3⅜" — a tighter lift range reflecting the design focus on ultra-low entry rather than maximum lift height.

All three PM2 models share the same hydraulic system with a chrome-plated piston pump and polyurethane seals, an ergonomic rubber-cushioned push handle with fingertip lift/neutral/lower control, lifetime-lubricated bearings, 6" Dia. x 2"W poly-on-steel rear casters, 1½" Dia. x 2¼"W front steel load rollers, and all-steel construction with a powder-coat finish. As with the PM4 series, the primary differentiator between PM2 models is fork spread:

The The Vestil PM2-2044-SLP is the narrowest option at 21" O.D. fork spread and is well matched to compact display pallets and narrow skids. The PM2-2744-SLP at 27" accommodates most standard-width pallets in distribution and manufacturing environments where low-clearance entry is a regular challenge. The PM2-3344-SLP at 33" O.D. provides the widest fork spread in the super low profile series, making it the appropriate choice for wide machinery bases, oversized skids, or any application combining a broad load footprint with extreme ground clearance requirements. When evaluating the PM2 series against the PM4 series, the critical decision factors are entry height versus capacity: if your loads exceed 2,200 lbs, the PM4 series is the correct choice; if your pallets have a clearance below 1⅝", the PM2 series is the only option.

HOF Equipment Company offers the complete Vestil low profile pallet jack and super low profile pallet jack lineup at competitive prices, with estimated warehouse lead times of just 3 business days. To request a quote, place an order, or discuss fleet pricing, visit hofequipment.com or call our sales team directly at 888.990.1150.