A stock picker or order picker machine is really like a regular forklift. It has hydraulic forks able to pick up a pallet. Order pickers could also lift the operator up to high places, which is a feature that forklifts currently do not provide. Normally, order pickers are operated by electricity. These machines are mostly utilized in a warehouse setting. Most often they are used for transporting pallets and finishing particular jobs in the stocking and shelving department.
The order picker operator utilizes controls to control the unit from a platform setting which usually sits quite near the ground. The operator can direct the machinery to go backwards, forwards or steer it from side to side. As soon as the operator has positioned the unit in place the forks could be raised to the required level which makes it convenient for the operator. For example, if the required materials, are situated on a shelf that the operator could not reach, then entire platform could be raised 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 can be driven to its next load. With the majority of models, it is possible to move the order picker whilst the platform is raised, although, several businesses might have procedures and policies in place preventing such maneuvers in the name of safety. An order picker is also able to put pallets on a shelf. Forklifts and stackers could be used to complete these particular tasks at some companies instead.