The Bernardo PHW 1.5 LOW-51 manual pallet truck is the top model in the low-fork family with increased lifting, featuring a 1500 kg capacity and 1150 mm fork length. Technical specifications: fork width 160 mm, minimum fork height 51 mm, maximum lift height 165 mm, distance between forks 220 mm, steering angle 102.5°. Manual hydraulic pump, net weight 74 kg. Distributed in Italy by Krollit as official Bernardo distributor since 2007.
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Capacity: 1500 kg
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Fork length: 1150 mm
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Fork width: 160 mm
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Fork height (min/max): 51 / 165 mm
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Distance between forks: 220 mm
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Overall width: 540 mm
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Steering angle: 102.5°
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Steering wheel: Ø 180 × 50 mm
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Load roller: Ø 50 × 70 mm
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Weight: 74 kg
Who uses the PHW 1.5 LOW-51 and for what
The Bernardo 1.5 LOW-51 low-fork pallet truck is sized for handling low-profile and reduced-height Euro pallets. Key construction feature: the minimum fork height of only 51 mm allows insertion under low-base pallets (e.g., pressed pallets with convex bases, Euro pallets with lower planks, low-profile containers) where standard pallet trucks with 85+ mm fork height cannot enter. The maximum lift height is limited to 165 mm: sized for horizontal load transport, not for stacking or high-level storage. Standard manual hydraulic pump: the operator lifts the load by lowering the lever and transports it on wheels. Suitable for: warehouses with low-base pallets, e-commerce businesses with low-profile pallets for small packages, the food sector with low bins and containers, the textile/footwear sector with boxes stacked on low pallets, logistics operations with a variety of pallets (standard plus low-profile breakages). Not replaceable with standard pallet trucks when pallet height below 90 mm makes fork insertion impossible.
Its place in the Bernardo range
The Bernardo range of manual and semi-electric pallet trucks is organized into 5 main sub-families: LOW (PHW 1.0 LOW-35 and PHW 1.5 LOW-51) for low-profile pallets with fork heights of 35-51 mm; STANDARD (PHW 2.5 P) for general use 2,500 kg; LONG (PHW 2.0 L-1800/2000/2500) for double pallets and long loads with extended fork length; SEMI_ELECTRIC (PHW 1.5 semi-electric) with electric lift and manual traction; HEAVY (PHW 5.0 S) for heavy industrial loads up to 5,000 kg. The PHW 1.5 LOW-51 is the higher version of the LOW family (37 mm fork height at rest, max lift 165 mm): double the lift height compared to the PHW 1.0 LOW-35, 1,500 kg capacity. For very thin low-profile pallets (below 50 mm), the PHW 1.0 LOW-35 with a lower minimum fork height is necessary.
Logistics and Krollit support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days for Southern Italy). Weight manageable by two people with care. Compact dimensions, manageable in any warehouse or workshop. Original Bernardo spare parts (steering rollers, load rollers, complete hydraulic pump, operating lever, seals and hydraulic cylinders) available from stock with 3-5 working days shipping. Customer assistance available in Italian.
Who the PHW 1.5 LOW-51 is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Warehouse with low-profile pallets or pressed pallets with convex bases |
Recommended |
Minimum fork height 51 mm allows insertion under low pallets where standard pallet trucks (85 mm) cannot enter. |
| Food / textile / e-commerce sector with low bins and containers |
Recommended |
Handling loads on low-profile containers, up to 1500 kg capacity. |
| Warehouse with standard Euro pallets (base height > 90 mm) |
Suitable |
For standard pallets, the PHW 2.5 P is correctly sized (higher 2,500 kg capacity, lower machine weight). LOW models are only justified for low pallets. |
Not suitable for: pallets with a completely flat base without gaps (forks require minimum clearance underneath for insertion); high racking storage (165 mm lift height is insufficient, electric forklifts are needed); loads over 1500 kg capacity; handling over long distances (over 30 meters) with high frequency.
Load capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Capacity |
1500 kg |
Forks
| Specification |
Value |
| Fork length |
1150 mm |
| Single fork width |
160 mm |
| Distance between forks |
220 mm |
| Overall width |
540 mm |
| Fork height at rest |
37 mm |
| Minimum fork height |
51 mm |
| Maximum lift height |
165 mm |
Maneuverability
| Specification |
Value |
| Steering angle |
102.5° |
| Steering wheel |
Ø 180 × 50 mm |
| Load roller |
Ø 50 × 70 mm |
Weight
| Specification |
Value |
| Net weight |
74 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery 2006/42/CE |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo PHW 1.5 LOW-51 Pallet truck
- Integrated hydraulic pump
- Operating and steering lever
- Polyurethane steering and load rollers
- User manual in Italian
Frequently asked questions
What minimum fork height is needed for low-profile pallets?
The PHW 1.5 LOW-51 has a minimum fork height of 51 mm at rest: designed for pallets with a convex base or pressed pallets with a base height below 90 mm where standard pallet trucks cannot enter.
Common types of low-profile pallets: plastic pallets with convex bases (base height 50-70 mm), pressed wood pallets (base height 60-80 mm), low-profile containers for food goods (grab height 40-60 mm), low-base industrial bins (grab height 50-70 mm). For each type, check the available height under the pallet before purchase: the PHW 1.0 LOW-35 reaches 35 mm, the PHW 1.5 LOW-51 reaches 51 mm. For pallets with a base height less than 35 mm, alternative solutions are required (horizontally sliding fork pallet trucks, ramps, manual lifters).
Is the 1500 kg capacity adequate for intensive use?
Yes for normal daily use, no for constant overload. The stated capacity refers to the maximum load uniformly distributed on the forks: for concentrated or unbalanced loads, the actual capacity is lower.
In daily use, the nominal capacity can be used regularly without machine degradation, provided the load is uniformly distributed and lifting is performed with the pallet fully inserted on the forks. Constant overloads (above 110% of the nominal capacity) accelerate the wear of the hydraulic pump, lifting cylinders, and frame structure. For activities with loads close to the limit, a 20% safety margin is recommended: for daily 1,200 kg loads, a pallet truck with a 1,500 kg capacity is preferable; for daily 2,000 kg loads, the PHW 2.5 P, etc.
Does the 165 mm lift height allow storage in racking?
No. The 165 mm lift height is designed for transporting the pallet above the floor, not for high-level storage.
Manual pallet trucks (LOW, STANDARD, LONG, HEAVY) are designed exclusively for horizontal movement: lifting is used to lift the pallet off the floor during transport on uneven surfaces, not to insert pallets into racking. For storage in racking, electric forklifts with lifts up to 3-6 meters high, powered by battery or industrial gas, with a traction motor and operating license (category K forklifts) are required.
Can low forks fit under any pallet?
No. The forks of the PHW 1.5 LOW-51 (51 mm at rest) fit under pallets with a minimum base height above this. For completely flat pallets without bottom space (e.g., custom pallets with a solid base), the forks cannot be inserted.
Pre-purchase verification recommended: measure the available height under a representative pallet for your use, from the floor to the bottom surface of the load-bearing board. For standard Euro pallets, the base height is typically 100 mm (compatible with all pallet trucks); for low-profile pallets, 50-90 mm (LOW models needed); for completely flat pallets without bottom space, forks cannot be inserted (alternative solutions needed).
Are they compatible with standard Euro pallets?
Yes. The forks of the PHW LOW are sized (fork width 160 mm, distance between forks 210-220 mm) for insertion into the standard openings of Euro pallets (1,200 × 800 mm with 4-way entry and 100 × 145 mm openings).
The standard ISO Euro pallet has standardized side and front entry openings. The forks of the PHW LOW fit regularly into the front openings (short side 800 mm) for standard handling. For use with Euro pallets, the choice between LOW and standard models depends on the pallet's base height: if the base is regular (100 mm), a PHW 2.5 P is the correct choice; if the base is convex or low-profile (below 90 mm), LOW models are necessary.
