Executive summary Not every warehouse has room for a fixed pallet changing cell, but loads still arrive on pallets that must be swapped. Our mobile pallet changer in this video holds a tall carton load, lifts it off its pallet so the old pallet can be pulled out by hand, and takes a new pallet pushed in on a hand pallet truck. The fit follows from the load height and the lift height. We set both per project.
Table of Contents
- What the video shows
- How the mobile pallet change works
- Lift height and overhead clearance for a tall load
- Planning for a small floor area
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a mobile pallet changer
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the video shows
A tall stack of film-wrapped cartons on a wooden pallet stands in our black-framed mobile pallet changer, with black and yellow striped side arms. The platform lowers and the side guards swing out, then the machine lifts the load to a high position.
An operator bends down at the front, pulls the empty pallet out by hand and drags it away while the load stays held at height. In other shots the side arms close on the sides of the load, and an operator pushes a pallet into the base with a red hand pallet truck.
How the mobile pallet change works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Position | The changer stands at the loaded pallet |
| Hold | The side arms close on the load |
| Lift | The platform lifts the load clear |
| Remove | The old pallet is pulled out at the front |
| Replace | A new pallet goes in on a hand pallet truck |
Because the machine moves to the load, the change happens where the pallet already stands. For paper rolls, see our mobile electric clamper pallet changer.
Lift height and overhead clearance for a tall load
Illustrative example:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Load height (illustrative) | 1,900 mm |
| Pallet height (illustrative) | 150 mm |
| Clearance to pull the pallet (illustrative) | 50 mm |
| Lift needed, 150 + 50 | 200 mm |
| Top of load when lifted, 1,900 + 200 | 2,100 mm |
We check the lifted height against your ceiling, racks and doors.
Planning for a small floor area
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Floor space around the load | Room to pull pallets out |
| Pallet sizes in and out | Sets the arm and base width |
| Load weight | Sets the lift |
| Pallet truck access | Room to push the new pallet in |
Tell us the space you have, and we check that pallets can come out and go in on the sides you can reach.
Controls and safety
The platform lifts a full load and the side arms close on it. Keep hands and feet away from the base while the load is lifted, and pull or push pallets only when the load is held and the machine is stopped.
The standards that apply depend on the destination market. For CE markets, ISO 12100 sets the risk-assessment method and EN 415-10 sets general requirements for packaging machines.
Selection checklist for a mobile pallet changer
- Load height and weight.
- Pallet sizes in and out.
- Floor space around the load.
- Ceiling and door heights.
- Pallet changes per hour.
- Pallet truck or forklift access.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Why a mobile pallet changer? A: It needs no fixed cell or transfer conveyor, so pallets can be changed where the load stands, even in a small area.
Q: How is the old pallet removed? A: The load is lifted clear and the pallet is pulled out at the front.
Q: How high does the load go? A: About 2,100 mm at the top for a 1,900 mm load lifted 200 mm in our example.
Q: How does the new pallet go in? A: On a hand pallet truck, pushed into the base.
Q: What should I send for a quote? A: Load height and weight, pallet sizes and a sketch of your floor space.
Next step
We plan your mobile pallet changer in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with load sizes, weights and pallets to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the lift and access plan.
- Book a site survey to check your floor space.
Related reading
- Pallet inverter
- Video: V-shape pallet changer
- Video: C-type 180-degree pallet turnover and pallet inverter
Sources
- Machine content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Lift example: our worked example, illustrative values
- Machine in action: our video on YouTube
- Standards scope: ISO 12100:2010, EN 415-10:2014
Last reviewed: 2026-10-04
