UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / August 20, 2026 / As harvest season reaches its peak, smaller farms and market gardens are once again relying on pallet trucks, stacker trucks and lift tables to move produce quickly from field to store without the cost or complexity of powered equipment. Midland Pallet Trucks says this time of year consistently sees a rise in demand from growers needing to shift heavy volumes of fruit, vegetables and other produce over a short, intense window.

For many smaller growers, August and September bring a sudden jump in the amount of stock that needs handling, often with the same small team that manages the rest of the year. Crates of produce need to move from picking areas to packing sheds, then on to cold storage or straight onto delivery vehicles, frequently several times a day during the busiest weeks. This is exactly the kind of short, sharp seasonal pressure that manual equipment is well suited to, offering a practical, lower-cost way to keep produce moving without the upkeep or charging requirements of powered alternatives.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Midland Pallet Trucks, said, "We see the same pattern every year. Around this time, we get a real spike in enquiries from smaller farms and market gardens across the Midlands who suddenly need to move a lot more stock than usual, for a relatively short period. For a lot of these businesses, investing in powered equipment for a few intense weeks a year simply doesn't add up.

"A good manual pallet truck or stacker does the job well. It's straightforward to use, doesn't need charging or fuel, and can be picked up by whoever's available that day, which matters when you're relying on seasonal or part-time help during a busy harvest.

"What we'd say to growers is that it's worth checking equipment now, before things get really busy. Wheels, hydraulics and forks all take a battering during a heavy harvest period, and the last thing anyone wants is equipment failing halfway through picking season. A quick check now can save a lot of disruption later.

"It's a reminder that not every handling problem needs an expensive solution. Sometimes the simplest bit of kit, kept in good working order, is exactly what a smaller growing business needs to get through its busiest weeks of the year."

For more information, visit https://www.midlandpallettrucks.com.