These key pieces of equipment are important for warehousing and distribution centers. While their settings are similar, the differences between order pickers and reach trucks are many.
Order pickers are designed to take forklift operators up to the rack level. Operators stand on a platform that moves up with the mast and forks. With access levels up to 36 feet high, order pickers require harnesses and other safety equipment. Order pickers allow operators to pick items from bins of different SKUs for order fulfillment quickly and easily. Thanks to order pickers, online shopping order fulfillment has sped up rapidly in recent years.
Order pickers are only used for picking items and cases from warehouse racks, not for loading and unloading pallets of product.
Reach trucks are used for narrow aisle warehouse applications and function similarly to standard forklifts. The operator stands to operate the reach truck, which has one set of wheels beneath the operator and two outer wheels attached to “legs” that distribute the load on either side of the mast. The mast is attached to a mechanism called a pantograph, that is able to extend outward to reach pallets that are stored in single or double reach racking. These machines can have very tall masts, making them key for distribution and warehousing centers.
Want to learn more about specialized equipment available on the market? Get in touch with the experts at Mid-Columbia Forklift and MidCo Material handling. We’ll help determine what makes and models will meet your needs and keep your business working effectively.
Contact us online or by phone:
Auburn 253-854-5438
Pasco 509-547-7413
Wenatchee 509-663-9009
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