Quick guide to buying order pickers

Order pickers are a specialized kind of forklift, designed for retrieving items from pallet rack systems and other kinds of vertical shelving. The main difference between order pickers and traditional lift trucks is that most order pickers raise the operator along with the load. Here's what you should know before buying an order picker.

Why choose an order picker?
The main reason business turn to order pickers is if they routinely need to retrieve individual products or less-than-pallet-load lots. By lifting the operator to where the inventory is stored, order pickers make it easy to pull one item off of a pallet. They can also be driven from the raised position, allowing operators to pick multiple items far more efficiently.

Since they're designed for indoor work, order pickers are powered by rechargeable batteries, making them emission-free and fairly quiet. The batteries generally have enough charge for a full shift, avoiding the need for cumbersome battery changing equipment: at the end of the day, you take it back to recharging station for the night and let it fill up for the next day's work. If you run a multiple-shift operation, you may need invest in spare batteries.

Most order pickers also have forks that can be used to lift pallets, but they don't usually have the same operating capacity that sit-down trucks have. Because of the reduced capacity, many warehouses can benefit from combining an order picker with a standard rider forklift. The sit-down truck is used to stock the shelves when inventory comes in, and the order picker is used to pull items that are on their way out.

Order picker purchasing tips
The main consideration to keep in mind when buying an order picker is the height you need to reach: 20' to 30' is the most common range, so if you have extra high shelving systems your options may be more limited.

Operating capacity is less important in most cases, since you won't be lifting full loads, but do make sure the order picker you choose is capable of handling your heaviest loads.

Try it yourself! Manufacturers are constantly improving their models, and improved ergonomics and safety features make order pickers easier than ever to operate safely. Controls that are easily operated with one hand and "progressive speed control" that limits the operating speed according to the height of the platform are just two examples. To really evaluate these types of features, there's not substitute for a good test drive.

Need help locating the best order picker dealers in your area? Try our free request for forklift quotes service. We'll connect you with qualified dealers who can offer you a range of order pickers and other warehouse equipment.