A stock picker or order picker machine is very like 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. Usually, order pickers are powered by electricity. These kind of machinery are mainly utilized in a warehouse environment. Most often they are used for moving pallets and completing certain tasks in the shelving and stocking department.
The order picker operator sits up on a platform where they operate the controls. These controls help to direct the machinery forward, backward or steer it from side to side. Once the operator has positioned the unit in place the blades can be raised to the required level that makes it convenient for the operator. Like for instance, if the needed materials, are situated on a shelf that the operator cannot reach, then whole 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 driven or directed to its next location. With the majority of models, it is possible to move the order picker while the platform is raised, although, some companies might have policies and procedures in place preventing such maneuvers for safety reasons. An order picker is also able to put pallets on a shelf. Forklifts and stackers could be used to finish these particular jobs at several companies instead.