An order picker or stock picker machine is very 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 offer. Usually, order pickers are operated by electricity. These machines are mostly used in a warehouse setting. Usually they are utilized for transporting pallets and finishing certain tasks in the shelving and stocking department.
The order picker operator utilizes controls to control the unit from a platform setting that normally sits fairly close to the ground. The operator is able to direct the equipment to go forward, backward or steer it from side to side. Once the operator has positioned the unit in place the forks can be lifted up to the required level that makes it very convenient for the operator. For instance, if the needed materials, are situated on a shelf which the operator could not reach, then whole platform can be raised up to certain level. Due to the counterweight situated 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 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 is also able to place pallets on a shelf. Stackers and forklifts could be utilized to finish these particular jobs at some companies instead.