Stop Bending Over to Handle Pallet Loads A Smarter Way to Work at Waist Height

If your team regularly picks, packs, sorts, or assembles items from pallets on the floor, you’ve probably seen the same problem every day: constant bending. It’s slow, tiring, and (over time) a recipe for back and shoulder strain. The good news is that you don’t have to choose between “manual handling” and “buying a forklift.”

A practical, warehouse-friendly solution is a high lift scissor truck (also called a high lift pallet truck or scissor lift pallet jack): it lifts the whole pallet up to a comfortable working height, so operators can handle cartons at waist level instead of on the floor.

Why bending over pallets feels “normal” (but costs you more than you think)

Floor-level pallet work forces workers to repeatedly:

• bend at the waist to grab cartons,
• twist while repositioning loads,
• reach forward to the center of a pallet.

Competitor guides often highlight the same pain point: repetitive bending is closely linked with workplace strain and reduced productivity, and the simplest fix is to raise the pallet to a safe working height.

When you raise the pallet, two things happen immediately:

1. Handling becomes faster(less “down-up-down-up” movement).
2. Work becomes more consistent(less fatigue, fewer pauses).

The “best way” to stop bending: lift the pallet, not the person

Many teams try step stools, low tables, or improvised platforms. Those “fixes” often create new risks: unstable footing, awkward pallet access, or blocked aisles.

A high lift scissor truck is built specifically to solve this job:

• It moves pallets like a standard pallet truck
• Then lifts the pallet vertically using a scissor mechanism to an ergonomic height for picking, packing, or assembly

Typical max lift height for high-lift models is around 800 mm (32 inches)—right in the range most warehouses consider “workbench height.”

Where a high lift scissor truck delivers the biggest impact

Based on how these units are positioned across the market, here are the highest-ROI use cases:

1) Order picking & packing from pallets

Raise the pallet so cartons stay near waist height during picking. This helps reduce repetitive bending and can improve picking rhythm.

2) Assembly and kitting lines

A high lift pallet truck can act as a mobile workstation, bringing parts to the line at the right height.

3) Loading/unloading in tight areas

When a forklift isn’t ideal (space, cost, or traffic), a scissor lift pallet jack can handle many “lift-and-position” tasks more simply.

What to look for when choosing a high lift scissor truck

To avoid buying the wrong unit, focus on these practical checks:

Lift height & stability

• If you’re lifting to ~800 mm, ensure the truck has stabilizers/leg supports for safe elevated work.

Capacity that matches real loads

• Common capacities are 1000 kg and 1500 kgin many high-lift scissor trucks.

Pallet compatibility

• Many high-lift designs are intended for open-bottom pallets; closed-bottom pallets may not always be suitable depending on the design.

Manual vs electric lift

• Manual is simple and cost-effective.
• Electric lift reduces effort when lifting frequently, especially in picking/assembly workflows.

Recommended solution: i-lift HB High Lift Scissor Truck (manual & electric options)

If your main issue is “bending over pallets is too exhausting,” the i-lift HB high lift scissor truck series is designed for exactly that workflow—lifting pallets to 32 inches (800 mm) so operators can handle goods at a more ergonomic height.

Key product advantages (practical, job-site focused)

• Max fork height: 800 mm (32")for waist-level work
• 1000 kg / 1500 kg capacity options, with multiple models and fork widths
• Automatic stabilizers above 400 mm to improve stability while working at height
• Single-stage cylinder design(aimed at consistent performance and reduced risk compared with multi-stage concepts)
• Manual models with quick-lift function(faster lifting for light loads under 250 kg)
• Electric lift models(including versions with built-in charger) for frequent lifting cycles
• Designed for open bottom pallets(and notes that closed bottom pallets can be placed directly on the forks)
• Notes compliance references such as EN1757-4 and EN1175(useful for many buyers’ internal safety documentation)

In day-to-day operations, that combination means one piece of equipment can:

• transport a pallet,
• lift it to working height,
• and serve as a compact “work platform” during picking, packing, or assembly.

FAQ

How high should I lift a pallet to reduce bending?
Many warehouses target a “comfortable working height” around waist level. High-lift pallet trucks commonly lift in the ~800 mm / 32 inch range.

Can I still move the pallet when it’s raised?
Most high-lift scissor pallet trucks are designed to be moved like a pallet truck at low height, then used more like a workstation when elevated—often with stabilizing supports for safety at higher lift.

Bottom line

If your team is losing time and energy to constant bending at pallets, a high lift scissor truck is one of the simplest upgrades you can make—without changing your entire material-handling setup. For a proven, export-ready option with both manual and electric models, the i-lift HB high lift scissor truck line is built to lift pallets to a safer working height and reduce the strain of floor-level handling.