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 forklifts presently do not offer. Usually, order pickers are powered by electricity. These type of machinery are mostly utilized in a warehouse environment. Most often they are utilized for transporting pallets and finishing specific jobs in the shelving and stocking department.
The operator of the oder picker sits up on a platform where they operate the controls. These controls help to direct the equipment backwards, forwards or steer it from side to side. When the operator has positioned the unit in place the blades can be lifted up to the required level which makes it very convenient for the operator. For example, if the required materials, are located on a shelf that the operator cannot reach, then whole platform could be raised up to certain level. Due to the counterweight located 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 directed or driven to its next location. With most models, it is possible to move the order picker whilst the platform is raised, although, some companies may have procedures and policies in place preventing such maneuvers in the name of safety. An order picker can also put pallets on a shelf. Forklifts and stackers can be used to complete these specific jobs at several companies instead.