In any modern warehouse, you will constantly see materials and items being moved around the facility. The equipment often used to move loads around the warehouse is pallet stackers. Pallet stackers have become essential to many businesses and their daily operations, and at PARRS, we are here to support your business needs with our wide range of pallet stackers.
Before you choose, we have a comprehensive guide to get you up to speed on pallet stackers and how specific models can help your business operate with maximum efficiency.
Table of contents
- What is a pallet stacker?
- Types of pallet stacker
- Advantages of pallet stackers
- Considerations to make when selecting pallet stackers
- Pallet stackers at PARRS
What is a pallet stacker?
A pallet stacker is a mobile machine built to lift, manoeuvre, and stack palletised materials and items easily and efficiently. Pallets are flat and horizontal bases that support and store materials safely and reliably.
Pallet stackers use hydraulics and motors to power them with forks at the front of the machine designed to straddle, lift, and move the pallet around the warehouse to wherever it is needed.
The compact and lightweight design of pallet stackers and the power from hydraulics and motors/electric batteries make them an ideal alternative to forklift trucks. Pallet stackers can be whizzed around any warehouse. In contrast, considerable room would be needed for forklifts to operate effectively. With ever-changing green energy requirements, pallet stackers can offer a more environmentally friendly option than forklifts.
Types of pallet stackers
While the two main types of pallet stackers are manual and electric, there are subcategories of pallet stackers that could be the exact fit for your business and warehouse needs.
Manual pallet stackers
We touched upon manual pallet stackers earlier. They function with hydraulics to lift goods stacked on pallets using the two sturdy forks at the front of the machine. With a control lever placed on the steering wheel to allow ease of movement, the manual pallet stacker’s forks lift when the handle is cranked, and the control lever allows them to come back down slowly.
Manual pallet stackers are used for heavy lifting and movement. They can lift from 100 kg up to 1000 kg and rise to 1970 mm in height. Wheels on manual stackers are often made from nylon due in part to their ability to withstand rough surfaces and produce minimal noise.
Electric pallet stackers
Electric pallet stackers are increasingly popular in warehouses due to their ease of movement around the facility and the benefits of their battery-powered electric motors. The energy passed from the battery to the motor is then converted to kinetic energy, which is used to power the hydraulic pump.
These stackers can easily move up to 1200 kg of material, and their wheels, placed at the back of the machine, are driven by the operator with no physical exertion required. Electric stackers are massively sought after for those with a bigger budget for warehouse supplies.
Semi-electric pallet stackers
The semi-electric pallet stacker uses both electric and manual components. Stackers of this nature are varied, but most run off a rechargeable battery that generally lasts up to 12 hours.
Often used to transport goods over shorter distances, the semi-electric pallet stacker’s hydraulic unit is designed to carry a load of two tonnes up to heights of 4.5 to 6.5 metres.
Mono mast pallet stacker
If you’re looking for a pallet stacker to facilitate the transportation of lighter loads, the mono mast pallet stacker would be a fitting choice. This stacker can only manage up to 1200 kg and is designed to lift the pallet to eye level.
It is ideal not only for businesses with lighter loads to move, but the mono mast stacker allows customers and personnel to assess and alter the pallet’s contents as they see fit at eye level.
Ride-on pallet stackers
If you’re running your business through a large warehouse, pallets may need to be moved over longer distances. In this case, a drivable pallet stacker can greatly help your operations.
Simply hop in and ride the pallets at a sensible and reasonable speed to their required destination. Often coming with a collapsible platform, ride-on pallet stackers can offer more versatility.
PRAMAC Electric Powered Stacker
Advantages of pallet stackers
Pallet stackers are widely used in warehouses and factories across the globe for many reasons. Read through our list of the key advantages of pallet stackers below and see how closely they would align with your requirements.
- Pallet stackers have a low entrance barrier for operators. While larger mechanical items require specific and specialised training, fellow employees or an in-house team can train workers operating pallet stackers.
- Stackers are designed to be agile and versatile and can be used in a wide range of professional settings and facilities. No matter how your scale may change over time, there will always be use for a pallet stacker, making them a solid investment that can provide essential assistance for many years.
- As mentioned, pallet stackers are manually or electrically powered, and no diesel or petrol is required. This makes them much more eco-friendly than similar equipment like forklift trucks.
- Pallet stackers are generally very cost-effective for businesses as a warehouse product. Adding a pallet stacker to the workplace can save time on lifting and manoeuvring jobs, drastically increasing efficiency.
- If your space is limited, there’s still room for a pallet stacker as they can be moved around easily through your workspace without getting in the way of other ongoing operations.
Considerations to make when selecting pallet stackers
At PARRS, we know that every business has unique needs and resources, and there are plenty of considerations to make before any purchase. For pallet stackers, the size of your business and your budget are crucial things to keep in mind. If your budget is on the lower side, mini and manual pallet stackers would be ideal as they are often considerably cheaper than their electric counterparts.
You will also need to consider how many pallets and the weight of goods you expect to move per day. Stackers are often used for small-medium sized goods, with some holding up to 1200 kg and others up to 2000 kg. The welfare of your workers should also be considered, as the ability to move stackers at a quick yet safe pace helps your business utilise modern technology to reduce the strain on your employees.
Pallet stackers are long-term investments. So, if you plan to expand soon, your selection of pallet stackers should reflect that. Even if you’re not moving much material now, if you’re planning to move more as you expand your business, investing in a stacker capable of progressing with you would be smart.
Pallet stackers at PARRS
We hope this guide has helped you better understand pallet stackers and which type fits your needs. Browse our collection of pallet stackers at PARRS with a range of fantastic and reliable manual and electric stackers available with free UK delivery.
