Table of Contents
- What is a low-lift pallet jack?
- Types of Xilin low-lift pallet jacks
- Xilin low-lift pallet jack specifications
- Low-lift vs high-lift hand pallet trucks
- How to choose a low-lift pallet jack: ICD’s 5-question checklist
- Low-lift pallet jack prices in 2026
- Common mistakes when buying a low-lift pallet jack
- How do the pump units of Xilin low-lift jacks differ?
- Does a low-lift pallet jack need inspection?
- Frequently asked questions about low-lift pallet jacks
- 1. How long is the warranty on a Xilin low-lift pallet jack?
- 2. Can a low-lift pallet jack be used in a cold store?
- 3. Is a 200 mm lift enough to load goods onto a truck?
- 4. How many hours a day can one worker use a low-lift pallet jack?
- 5. Can I buy a second-hand Xilin low-lift pallet jack?
- 6. Does a low-lift pallet jack need a safety inspection?
- 7. How low do the forks of a low-lift pallet jack go?
- Contact ICD Vietnam - quotes for Xilin low-lift pallet jacks
- References
Reviewed and updated by ICD - Week 43/2026
A low-lift pallet jack is a hydraulic lifting tool for moving pallets across flat floors, with a maximum lift of about 200 mm (185-205 mm depending on the series). You slide the two forks into the pallet openings, pump the handle to raise the pallet off the floor, then pull it away. ICD Vietnam distributes the Xilin (Ningbo Ruyi) low-lift range in 2-5 tonne capacities, with a 12-month warranty.
This is the most common way to move stock inside factories, cold stores, ports and supermarkets. The guide below uses Xilin’s published figures for the BF-III, DF-III, DB and WB series to answer the three questions buyers ask most: what the truck is made of, how the series differ, and how to pick one that fits your pallets and aisles.
Choose a low-lift pallet jack when:
- You move pallets on flat surfaces: concrete, epoxy flooring, container floors, with no need to lift to high racking.
- Loads are heavy, 2-5 tonnes: baled goods, wooden pallets of components, agricultural produce.
- Space is tight: in warehouses with many corners, the DF-III turning radius of only 1,265 mm makes maneuvering easy.
What is a low-lift pallet jack?
A low-lift pallet jack (also called a low-lift pallet truck or hand pallet jack) is a manually operated hydraulic tool built to lift a pallet off the ground and move it horizontally in a warehouse, factory or into and out of a container. On Xilin models the forks lower to 75-88 mm and lift to a maximum of 185-205 mm, so the actual lifting stroke is only about 110-120 mm.
The key difference from a high-lift hand truck: a low-lift jack does not lift to racking. It raises the pallet just enough to clear the floor and travel. In return it carries heavier loads (up to 5 tonnes) and has a much simpler build, with no mast or chain.
A low-lift pallet jack has 4 main parts:
- Forks: thick steel, 1,150 or 1,220 mm long and 150 mm wide each, the part that enters the pallet. The standard version has an overall fork width of 520 or 550 mm; the wide-fork version measures 680-685 mm.
- Handle: a three-position lever for lifting (pump), lowering and travel (neutral). Xilin lists a steering angle of 180° for the DF-III and 190° for the DB.
- Hydraulic system: the hand pump drives the piston, and the lift rod raises the forks as you pump; the release valve returns oil to the reservoir to lower them. On the BF-III, Xilin uses a one-piece cast pump body with no welds.
- Wheels: a rear steering wheel of 180-200 mm diameter and load wheels of 70-85 mm under the fork tips, single or tandem. PU wheels are quiet and leave fewer marks on epoxy floors, while nylon wheels are harder and roll easily.
Types of Xilin low-lift pallet jacks
The Xilin low-lift range that ICD distributes falls into 3 groups by load and fork size. All four series come in two fork lengths, 1,150 and 1,220 mm; the differences lie in rated load, pump unit and overall width.
Group 1 - Standard forks (overall width 520-550 mm), 2-3 tonnes:
- 2.5-3 tonnes - DF-III: lowered fork height 85 mm, maximum lift 200 mm, forks of 1,150/1,220 mm. Suits standard 1000×1200 mm pallets. See the DF-III model details.
- 2.5-3 tonnes - BF-III: maximum lift 195 mm, a one-piece welded-free pump, an overload valve and adjustable lowering speed. Xilin ranks this as its premium series.
- 2 tonnes - DB: the general-purpose series, forks lowered to 75 mm, maximum lift 190 mm, with reinforced fork tips.
Group 2 - Heavy duty, 5 tonnes:
- 5 tonnes - WB: rated load 5,000 kg, lift height 205 mm, forks of 1,150-1,220 mm, tandem load wheels. Built for very heavy goods such as steel coils and industrial equipment. See the 5-tonne model details.
Group 3 - Wide forks (overall width 680-685 mm):
- The DB, DF-III, BF-III and WB series all come in a wide-fork version. Use it for pallets whose two fork openings sit far apart, or for wide-based loads such as sheet metal and timber boards that need broader support. See the 2-tonne wide-fork details.
Xilin low-lift pallet jack specifications
The four Xilin series differ mainly in rated load, lowered fork height and pump unit. The table below follows Xilin’s published specifications for the 1,150 mm fork version (where two figures are given, the second is for the low-profile fork version).
| Xilin series | BF-III | DF-III | DB | WB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xilin grade | Premium | Standard | Economic | Heavy duty |
| Rated load | 2,500 / 3,000 kg | 2,500 / 3,000 kg | 2,000 kg | 5,000 kg |
| Lowest fork height | 85 / 75 mm | 85 / 75 mm | 75 mm | 88 / 78 mm |
| Max lift | 195 / 185 mm | 200 / 190 mm | 190 mm | 205 / 195 mm |
| Fork length | 1,150 / 1,220 mm | 1,150 / 1,220 mm | 1,150 / 1,220 mm | 1,150 / 1,220 mm |
| Overall fork width | 520 / 550 / 685 mm | 520 / 550 / 680 mm | 520 / 550 / 680 mm | 550 / 685 mm |
| Steering wheel | φ180 mm | φ180 mm | φ180 mm | φ200 mm |
| Turning radius | 1,276 mm | 1,265 mm | 1,265 mm | 1,300 mm |
| Self-weight | 56 - 70 kg | 55 - 65 kg | 53 - 62 kg | 103 - 110 kg |
| Key feature | One-piece cast pump with no welds, overload valve | Chrome-plated piston and lift rod | 12 strokes to reach full lift | Lifts twice as fast when the load is under 600 kg |
Fork height fully lowered is 75-88 mm depending on the version, with a turning radius from 1,265 mm (DF-III). Warranty: 12 months. Source: the per-series specification pages on xilin.com.
Two figures in Xilin’s documents rarely appear in other guides. The first is the fork ground clearance once raised: 32 mm for the 85 mm fork version and 22 mm for the low-profile version. That is enough to keep the pallet clear on flat floors, but it can catch on door thresholds and floor joints. The second is the stacking aisle width (Ast): for the DF-III, Xilin gives 1,720-1,790 mm for a 1000×1200 pallet pulled sideways. In a narrower aisle the truck still runs straight, but turning 90° to put the pallet into a rack bay becomes difficult.
Low-lift vs high-lift hand pallet trucks
A low-lift jack only raises the pallet off the floor, while a high-lift hand truck has a mast to put the pallet on racking. First-time buyers often confuse the two. The table below shows which one fits a given warehouse (figures based on the models ICD Vietnam distributes):
| Criteria | High-lift hand truck | Xilin low-lift pallet jack |
|---|---|---|
| Max lift height | 1,500-2,500 mm | 185-205 mm |
| Max load | 500-2,000 kg | 2,000-5,000 kg |
| Purpose | Lifting to racking, stacking high | Horizontal moves, loading and unloading containers |
| Floor requirement | Flat and open | Flat (concrete, epoxy, wood) |
| Construction | More complex, with a lifting mast | Simple, light, easy to maintain |
| Xilin warranty at ICD | 12 months | 12 months |
Quick rule: if the load must go onto racking above 300 mm, choose a high-lift hand truck. If it only moves horizontally or goes into a container, a low-lift jack is enough, with a simpler build and a higher load rating.
How to choose a low-lift pallet jack: ICD’s 5-question checklist
Choosing the right low-lift jack comes down to five questions about load, pallet, aisle, floor and frequency of use. Answer these before ordering to pin down the right model:
- What is the weight of your heaviest pallet? Include the pallet’s own weight and choose a truck rated above that figure. For example, for a 2-tonne pallet choose a 2.5-tonne truck, not a 2-tonne one that is exactly at its limit.
- What pallet size do you use? Measure the gap between the two fork openings. The forks must sit inside the openings with clearance on both sides; most 1000×1200 mm pallets suit an overall fork width of 520-550 mm.
- How wide are your aisles? Compare them with the stacking aisle width Xilin publishes (1,720-1,813 mm for a 1000×1200 pallet depending on the series). For narrow aisles pick the 1,150 mm fork, which has a smaller turning radius than the 1,220 mm one.
- What kind of floor do you have? On epoxy or painted floors use PU wheels so they leave no marks. On rough concrete, nylon wheels resist wear better.
- How often do you use it each day? A few trips per shift: an ordinary hydraulic jack is enough. If workers must pull heavy pallets all shift over long distances, consider an electric low-lift pallet truck to reduce arm fatigue.
Need more advice? Call 0983 797 186. ICD Vietnam offers free consulting and nationwide delivery.
Low-lift pallet jack prices in 2026
The price of a low-lift jack depends on load, fork size, wheel type and pump series. A 5-tonne WB weighs nearly twice as much as a 2.5-tonne DF-III, with thicker forks and tandem load wheels, so it costs more accordingly. At the same 2.5-tonne rating, the BF-III with its one-piece pump and overload valve ranks above the DF-III, while the 2-tonne DB is the general-purpose option.
ICD Vietnam quotes by configuration (series, fork length and width, PU or nylon wheels) and quantity, with discounts when you buy several trucks. Contact for a quote: send your pallet and load details by hotline or Zalo to receive an accurate price.
Common mistakes when buying a low-lift pallet jack
Most low-lift jacks fail early or get replaced because of the wrong load rating, the wrong fork size or the wrong floor conditions. Having advised factories and warehouses on lifting equipment since 2011, ICD Vietnam sees the same 5 mistakes most often:
1. Choosing a rating with no safety margin
Many warehouses buy a 2.5-tonne truck to lift 2.5-tonne pallets. The pump, seals and lift rod then work at their highest pressure all the time. ICD Vietnam recommends keeping the real load under 80% of the truck’s rated capacity. The BF-III and WB have overload valves, but a valve only blocks lifting when overloaded and is no substitute for choosing the right truck.
2. Buying an untraceable truck because it is cheap
Trucks of unclear origin often have no spec plate, no stated rated load and hard-to-find spare parts. When the pump leaks or a fork snaps, repair cost and downtime can exceed what you saved at purchase. A genuine truck has published specifications, a clear origin and a warranty.
3. Choosing the wrong fork size for the pallet
Buying a 685 mm wide-fork truck for a pallet with narrow openings, or the reverse, means the forks will not enter the openings or will support the pallet off-center, and the truck has to be replaced. Before buying, measure the gap between the two pallet openings and choose an overall width that lets both forks sit inside them.
4. Using a low-lift jack on a slope
A low-lift jack has no self-holding brake when stopped on a slope. Pulling a heavy pallet downhill is when the operator most easily loses control, and the load can drift. If your warehouse has a steep ramp, use an electric truck with an electromagnetic brake or a stand-on truck.
5. Skipping routine maintenance
A Xilin low-lift jack needs only simple upkeep: check the hydraulic oil level, look for leaks around the lift rod, grease the wheel bearings and fork pins, and clear strapping and plastic wrap caught in the wheels. Skip these steps and the seals and wheels fail early, and the truck lifts slowly or lets the forks sink on their own.
How do the pump units of Xilin low-lift jacks differ?
The pump unit decides the life and load capacity of a hand pallet truck. Across the four Xilin series the differences lie in how the pump body is made, the safety valve and the lifting speed, as described on the manufacturer’s specification pages.
On maintenance: watch the oil level and any seepage around the lift rod, and always operate within the rated load, since overloading damages the seals and cylinder. Xilin (Ningbo Ruyi) hand pallet trucks distributed by ICD Vietnam carry a 12-month warranty; ICD also offers forklift repair service, so contact us for advice.
Does a low-lift pallet jack need inspection?
A manually pulled low-lift jack is not on the list of machinery with strict labor-safety requirements. Circular 36/2019/TT-BLDTBXH of 30 December 2019 (effective 1 March 2020) lists only “motor-driven forklifts with a lifting capacity of 1,000 kg or more”; QCVN 25:2015/BLDTBXH, issued with Circular 51/2015/TT-BLDTBXH of 8 December 2015, likewise covers motor-driven forklifts.
On design standards, the BF-III spec plate states conformity with EN ISO 3691-5, the part of the ISO 3691 series that covers pedestrian-propelled trucks. An electric low-lift pallet truck with a motor and a capacity of 1,000 kg or more falls under Circular 36/2019 and must be inspected before it goes into use.
Frequently asked questions about low-lift pallet jacks
1. How long is the warranty on a Xilin low-lift pallet jack?
ICD Vietnam gives a 12-month warranty on the whole Xilin low-lift range. During the warranty ICD supports repairs under its warranty policy; after it, ICD offers forklift repair service, so contact us for advice.
2. Can a low-lift pallet jack be used in a cold store?
Yes, but state the store temperature when you order so ICD can advise the right model, hydraulic oil and wheels. At low temperatures hydraulic oil thickens, so the pump feels heavier and the forks lower more slowly than in a normal warehouse.
3. Is a 200 mm lift enough to load goods onto a truck?
No. 200 mm only lets the pallet clear the floor while you pull it. For containers and trucks you also need a loading dock ramp or a lift table so the jack can drive inside. A low-lift jack cannot lift goods from the ground straight onto a truck bed; that is the job of a stand-on or electric forklift.
4. How many hours a day can one worker use a low-lift pallet jack?
There is no fixed number of hours: pulling force rises with load weight, wheel type and floor surface. If one worker must pull heavy pallets continuously over long distances through a whole shift, rotate staff or upgrade to an electric low-lift pallet truck to reduce physical load and raise productivity.
5. Can I buy a second-hand Xilin low-lift pallet jack?
We do not recommend it. A used low-lift jack has often had its hydraulic cylinder repaired many times, and its real condition is very hard to check. A new Xilin has published specifications, a clear origin and a warranty; the price gap to a used truck rarely covers the risk.
6. Does a low-lift pallet jack need a safety inspection?
A manually pulled hand pallet truck does not. Circular 36/2019/TT-BLDTBXH of 30 December 2019 lists only motor-driven forklifts with a lifting capacity of 1,000 kg or more, so an electric hand pallet truck rated 1,000 kg or more needs inspection.
7. How low do the forks of a low-lift pallet jack go?
On Xilin trucks the forks lower to 85 mm on the standard BF-III and DF-III versions, 75 mm on the low-profile version and the DB series, and 88 mm on the 5-tonne WB. The pallet openings must be taller than this for the forks to enter.
Contact ICD Vietnam - quotes for Xilin low-lift pallet jacks
ICD Vietnam Industrial Manufacturing Co., Ltd. - general distributor of genuine Xilin (Ningbo Ruyi) forklifts in Vietnam. Nationwide delivery, 12-month warranty, forklift repair service available.
North: 3rd Floor, Thang Long A1 Building, Bau Hamlet, Thien Loc Commune, Hanoi - 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
South: 551/212 Le Van Khuong Street, Tan Thoi Hiep Ward, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City - 098 6784 186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn
Zalo: Chat on Zalo for a fast quote
References
- BF-III, DF-III, DB and WB specifications: Ningbo Ruyi (Xilin), Hand Pallet Truck.
- Circular 36/2019/TT-BLDTBXH of 30 December 2019 promulgating the list of machinery, equipment and materials with strict labor-safety requirements: National Legal Document Database.
- QCVN 25:2015/BLDTBXH, the national technical regulation on labor safety for forklifts, issued with Circular 51/2015/TT-BLDTBXH of 8 December 2015.
- ISO 3691-5:2014 Industrial trucks, Safety requirements and verification, Part 5: Pedestrian-propelled trucks: ISO.
