When you’re considering adding new or used material handling equipment to your fleet it’s important to consider all your options. Walkie stackers are a popular choice in small warehouse environments and there’s good reason. Read on to learn more.
What is a Walkie Stacker?
Walkie stackers are walk-behind pallet trucks with masts for lifting pallets to high heights. These stackers are often used in small warehouses or storerooms where transport is over short distances and a standard forklift isn’t needed. Stackers are also helpful for loading and unloading and are designed primarily for indoor use. They can be an economical alternative to a forklift or used as a backup for a forklift.
Types of Jobs & Environments
Walkie stackers are a time-saving and economical alternative to more costly equipment. Forklifts are better suited for indoor and outdoor projects, while walkie stackers are designed for indoor environments, such as small warehouses. They’re built for smaller capacity and shorter duration projects. It’s recommended that they be used on flat concrete surfaces due to the size and type of tires.
Walkie Stacker vs. Forklifts
As compared to forklifts, the benefits of walkie stackers compared to forklifts include:
- More affordable
- Built to move through tight spaces
- Less licensing requirements as compared to forklifts (while no formal certification is required to operate a walkie stacker, training is always advised)*
- No exhaust pollution
- Great for compact and narrow spaces
*note, this is only true for walk-behind stackers; for the ride-on stackers (listed below), certification is required.
Types of Walkie Stackers
Walkie stackers are either manual or powered. Beyond this, there are several types of walkie stackers. Let’s review the main structural differences and usages.
#1 Straddle stacker
Straddle legs ensure that the load weight is evenly distributed. With this design, the stacker can move close to the pallet even in tight spaces.
#2 Standard stacker
With legs located beneath the lift’s fork, can be used to lift one or two pallets simultaneously.
#3 Reach stacker
Built with a mast that can move loads forward, this type of walkie stacker is well suited for loading utility vehicles and trucks.
#4 Ride-on stacker
The operator can ride directly on the ride-on walkie stacker. Note that certification is required to operate this ride-on style stacker, as opposed to the walk-behind models.
#5 Counterbalance stacker
Using counter-balancing weight to distribute loads, the counterbalanced walkie stacker is designed for use in tight and narrow spaces, where you don’t have to worry about the straddle-style legs adding extra width.
Papé is here to help.
Here at Papé Material Handling, we’re here to help you find the equipment that best fits your job’s needs and specifications. Reach out to us for a quote or to speak to one of our expertly trained equipment specialists.
