A stock picker or order picker machinery is really similar to a standard forklift. It has hydraulic blades able to raise a pallet. Order pickers can also lift the operator up to high places, which is a feature that forklifts currently do not provide. Typically, order pickers are powered by electricity. These machines are mainly used in a warehouse environment. Usually they are utilized for transporting pallets and finishing certain jobs in the shelving and stocking department.
The operator of an order picker uses controls to control the unit from a platform setting that usually sits quite close to the ground. The operator can direct the machinery to go backwards, forwards or steer it from side to side. Once the operator has positioned the unit in place the blades could be lifted up to the required level which makes it really convenient for the operator. For example, if the materials required, are situated on a shelf which the operator cannot 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 driven or directed to its next location. With the majority of 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 could also put pallets on a shelf. Stackers and forklifts could be used to complete these specific jobs at several companies instead.