An order picker or stock picker machine is very similar to a standard forklift. It has hydraulic forks able to pick up a pallet. Order pickers can also lift the operator up to high places, which is a feature that lift trucks currently do not offer. Typically, order pickers are powered by electricity. These equipment are mainly used in a warehouse environment. Most often they are used for moving pallets and finishing specific jobs in the shelving and stocking department.
The operator of an order picker uses controls to control the unit from a platform setting which normally sits quite close to the ground. The operator could direct the machine to go forward, backward or steer it from side to side. When the operator has positioned the unit in place the blades could be raised to the required level which makes it really convenient for the operator. For instance, if the materials needed, are situated on a shelf that the operator could not reach, then entire platform could be lifted up to certain level. Due to the counterweight situated 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, some companies might have policies and procedures in place preventing such maneuvers for safety reasons. An order picker can also put pallets on a shelf. Forklifts and stackers can be utilized to finish these particular jobs at several companies instead.