An order picker or stock picker equipment is very like a regular forklift. It has hydraulic blades able to pick up a pallet. Order pickers can also lift the operator up to high places, which is a feature that lift trucks presently do not provide. Typically, order pickers are powered by electricity. These type of equipment are mainly used in a warehouse setting. Usually they are used for moving pallets and finishing specific tasks in the shelving and stocking department.
The operator of an order picker utilizes controls to control the unit from a platform setting which normally sits quite near the ground. The operator could direct the machine to go forward, backward or steer it from side to side. When the operator has positioned the unit in place the blades can be lifted up to the required level that makes it really convenient for the operator. Like for instance, if the materials required, are situated on a shelf which the operator cannot reach, then whole platform is capable of being raised up to certain level. Due to the counterweight situated at the other end, the unit remains balanced, even at higher levels.
The platform is lowered back to its original position after the order has been picked. The order picker is then driven or directed to its next location. With most models, it is possible to move the order picker while the platform is raised, however, several businesses may have procedures and policies in place preventing such maneuvers for safety reasons. An order picker is also able to place pallets on a shelf. Stackers and forklifts may be utilized to complete these specific jobs at several companies instead.