A stock picker or order picker machinery is very similar to a regular forklift. It has hydraulic tines able to pick up a pallet. Order pickers can also lift the operator up to high places, which is a feature that lift trucks presently do not provide. Typically, order pickers are powered by electricity. These type of machinery are mostly utilized in a warehouse environment. Most often they are used for transporting pallets and finishing specific tasks in the shelving and stocking department.
The order picker operator utilizes controls to control the unit from a platform setting which usually sits quite close to the ground. The operator can direct the machine 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 very convenient for the operator. Like for example, if the materials required, 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 situated at the other end, the unit remains balanced, even at higher levels.
The platform is then 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 most models, it is possible to move the order picker while the platform is raised, although, some companies may have procedures and policies in place preventing such maneuvers for safety reasons. An order picker can also put pallets on a shelf. Stackers and forklifts may be utilized to finish these particular tasks at some companies instead.