A stock picker or order picker machinery is really like a regular forklift. It has hydraulic blades able to pick up a pallet. Order pickers could also lift the operator up to high places, which is a feature that lift trucks currently do not provide. Normally, order pickers are powered by electricity. These kind of machines are mostly used in a warehouse environment. Most often they are utilized for transporting pallets and finishing certain jobs in the stocking and shelving department.
The operator of an order picker uses controls to control the unit from a platform setting which normally sits fairly close to the ground. The operator can direct the machine to go forward, backward or steer it from side to side. Once the operator has positioned the unit in place the forks could be lifted up to the required level which makes it really convenient for the operator. Like for example, if the materials needed, are located on a shelf that the operator cannot reach, then whole 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.
After the order has been picked, the platform is lowered back to its original position. Then the order picker could be driven to its next load. With most models, it is possible to move the order picker whilst the platform is raised, although, some companies might have procedures and policies in place preventing such maneuvers for safety reasons. An order picker could also place pallets on a shelf. Forklifts and stackers can be used to complete these particular jobs at several companies instead.