What is a manually operated forklift called?

A manually operated forklift is referred to as a pallet jack. This type of equipment is designed specifically for lifting and moving pallets, which are often used in warehousing and logistics for transporting goods. Pallet jacks typically have forks that can slide under a pallet, allowing the operator to lift and transport heavy loads by manually pumping the handle.

In contrast, a hand truck is more suited for moving smaller boxes or materials and usually has two wheels and a vertical frame. A lift table is a piece of equipment that raises and lowers loads to different heights but is not specifically designed to operate like a forklift for pallet transport. Similarly, a scissor lift is primarily used for elevating workers or equipment to a higher work level and is not intended for moving pallets. Therefore, the pallet jack is the most fitting term for manually operated forklifts used in handling pallets.