An order picker or stock picker machinery is very like a standard 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 forklifts currently do not offer. Normally, order pickers are operated by electricity. These kind of equipment are mostly used in a warehouse environment. Most often they are utilized for transporting pallets and doing specific tasks in the stocking and shelving department.
The operator of the oder picker sits up on a platform where they operate the controls. These controls help to direct the equipment backwards, forwards or steer it from side to side. As soon as the operator has positioned the unit in place the tines can be lifted up to the required level which makes it convenient for the operator. For instance, if the materials needed, are located on a shelf that the operator cannot reach, then entire platform is capable of being lifted up to certain level. Due to the counterweight located 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 the majority of models, it is possible to move the order picker whilst the platform is raised, however, some businesses might have policies and procedures in place preventing such maneuvers in the name of safety. An order picker could also put pallets on a shelf. Stackers and forklifts could be used to finish these specific tasks at several companies instead.