What Is a Walkie Stacker?
Walkie stacker is a great tool for small capacity items that need to be transported around a warehouse environment. Typically used indoors due to their small wheels, they can be operated manually or by electric power. They do not require a forklift license to operate and they are more affordable than other materials handling vehicles.
Straddle Stackers
Whether powered or manual, walk-behind stackers are used for transporting and stacking pallets where a forklift would be too expensive; such as in store rooms, small warehouses, and customer zone racking sections. They are easy to maneuver in tight spaces and operate at a lower cost than forklifts and other materials handling equipment. They also require a lesser operator licence than forklifts, and have minimum running costs.
There are five types of straddle stackers, each designed for specific applications. The main difference between them is how they distribute a load. The standard walkie stacker has legs that sit under the forks to distribute the weight and allow it to straddle a pallet. This is ideal for a combined transportation and stacking operation, with lifting heights of up to 1,845mm-4,255mm.
The reach stacker is equipped with a pantographic scissor mast that allows the stacker to maneuver loads forward, away from its body. It is more commonly used in loading trucks, utility vehicles and trailers with a maximum stacking height of 6460mm.
The ride on straddle stacker is similar to the standard walkie stacker but has a platform for the operator to stand on and specialised controls. It requires a forklift license to operate, whereas other walkie stackers do not. They are available in electric and battery-electric options to suit your requirements.
Reach Stackers
With a telescoping boom, reach stackers are designed to lift shipping containers and move them into their designated positions in storage yards and cargo terminals. They’re used around the world for port operations, and their load capacity, speed, and versatility make them a key asset to any material handling fleet.
Rapidly increasing maritime and e-commerce trade is boosting the demand for seaports and terminals, which in turn is driving the market for reach stackers. These vehicles are designed to quickly pick up containers from trucks, railcars, and ships and stack them several rows high in a container yard. This helps improve operational productivity and reduce congestion in the ports.
Manufacturers continue to enhance reach stackers’ design by integrating advanced features that boost performance and user-friendliness. They also aim to walkie stacker cut fuel consumption and emissions, while improving the safety and maintenance of the machines. They’re also focused on offering better container lifting capacities, automation features, and operator comfort.
Some manufacturers offer electric reach stackers that are more energy-efficient than diesel-powered counterparts. These machines use electric motors and batteries for power, which significantly reduces their dependence on diesel fuel. This can lead to significant savings in fuel expenses over time. It can also help meet government-imposed emissions standards and environmental regulations. In addition, it can align with the sustainability goals of end users.
Counterbalance Stackers
The Crown ST/SX series walkie stacker is a compact, ergonomic and efficient solution for handling loads of all sizes in many different applications. By introducing this machine into your operations, you can make use of existing warehouse space more efficiently and economically.
As the name suggests, these machines work on a counterbalance system. This means they do not need straddle legs to allocate the load and operate in narrower aisles than other types of walkie stackers. This allows you to maximize your storage density without compromising on safety or quality.
These units are designed for a variety of applications in a wide range of industries, including retail, cold storage, specialty racks and truck loading and unloading. They are able to maneuver in tight spaces that can be difficult for ride-on forklifts to navigate, and they provide excellent performance and stability with side mounted lift cylinders to improve visibility.
They are also more economical than traditional forklifts, both webbing sling manufacturer in terms of upfront costs and running expenses. As a result, they offer significant savings to your business in the long run. In addition, they are safer than ride-on forklifts and do not produce exhaust pollution or fumes. They are therefore recommended for usage in indoor environments.
Fork-Over Stackers
Known as walk behind stackers, these mobile lifting positioners are often used in place of traditional sit down or stand up forklift trucks. Their compact chassis designs allow them to maneuver through narrow aisles in close quarters with work cells, allowing operators to quickly and efficiently position and stack loads for transport.
These machines use straddle legs that allow them to lift bottomless pallets or skids, and they have the lowest turning radius of all the types of stackers. They can be fully manual (requires a manual push to move the vehicle and to raise the forks), semi-automatic (requires a manual push but the forks rise automatically), or powered by an electric motor that both propels the truck and elevates the forks.
A fully-powered fork-over stacker can save you time, labor and money by eliminating the need to manually operate a lift and load truck for long distances. These vehicles are also more efficient than other stackers because they don’t require any physical effort to travel over longer distances.
Unlike forklifts that are typically suited to indoor applications, a pallet stacker can be used on any factory floor, including manufacturing floors, stock rooms and warehouses. They’re less expensive than forklifts and easier to integrate into your operation because they don’t require specialized operator training. They’re also more environmentally friendly than ride-on forklifts, using less fossil fuel and requiring lower maintenance costs.