An order picker or stock picker equipment 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 forklifts presently do not offer. Typically, order pickers are powered by electricity. These equipment are mostly utilized in a warehouse setting. Usually they are used for moving pallets and doing certain tasks 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. When the operator has positioned the unit in place the forks could be lifted up to the required level that makes it very convenient for the operator. Like for instance, if the materials required, are situated on a shelf which the operator could not 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.
The platform is lowered back to its original position after the order has been picked. The order picker is then directed or driven to its next location. With most models, it is possible to move the order picker whilst the platform is raised, however, several companies may have procedures and policies in place preventing such maneuvers for safety reasons. An order picker could also put pallets on a shelf. Forklifts and stackers can be used to complete these particular tasks at some companies instead.