Pallet lift

A method for lifting a pallet having a plurality of columns supporting a deck, the columns spaced inward from a peripheral edge of the deck, the method including the steps of:

• a) moving a lever of a pallet lift in a first direction relative to the pallet to pivot a four-bar linkage including a pair of side rails, a lift rail, and a pair of supports connecting one of the side rails to the lift rail, further including the step of moving the lever in the first direction to lower a plurality of contact surfaces relative to the side rails;
• b) inserting an end of each of the side rails below the deck and outward of the columns of the pallet, such that the columns are between the side rails, after said step a);
• c) after said step b), moving the lever in a second direction relative to the pallet to cause the contact surfaces to engage the deck of the pallet outward of the columns and to lift the pallet,
• wherein said steps a) and c) each include the step of operating the four-bar linkage supporting the contact surfaces.

A combination of a pallet and a pallet lift

• the pallet lift including a base, wherein the base includes a pair of four-bar linkages, wherein each of the four-bar linkages includes a lift rail opposite a side rail, each of the lift rails connected to the corresponding side rail by a pair of vertical supports to form a quadrilateral four bar linkage, a plurality of side wheels secured to the side rails, wherein the plurality of side wheels and the side rails are fixed relative to one another within the four bar linkage, and wherein the vertical supports pivot relative to the side rails and relative to the plurality of side wheels, and wherein the lift rails are movable relative to the side rails and relative to the plurality of side wheels;
• the pallet lift further including a pair of contact surfaces proximate a distal end of the base, the contact surfaces fixed relative to the lift rails within the four bar linkage, the contact surfaces each including an outer wall projecting upward from an outer edge thereof;
• the pallet lift further including a handle projecting upward from the side rails proximate a proximal end of the base, a rear support bracket on the base connecting proximal portions of the lift rails to one another, the rear support bracket having a rear portion extending vertically from a rear edge and side portions extending vertically from side edges;
• and
• the pallet having a plurality of columns supporting a deck, the plurality of columns received between the lift rails, wherein the pallet lift is capable of lifting the pallet off of a floor.