Cambridge Order Picker Training - Order picker's enables warehouse employees to lift pallets making use of forks. Also called a stock picker, this particular electrically-powered equipment is similar to a forklift except that an order picker is also used to lift a person to get into high places on a platform. Order pickers are normally found in warehouse environment and are practical for particular purposes.
Found close to the floor is the operator platform, that is where the operator can direct the machine forward, backward or from side to side, and lifts the forks to perform appropriate level tasks. To access materials on a high shelf, the platform is raised. On the other end, the unit has a counterweight to be able to provide balance.
When the merchandise or materials have been chosen, the bucket is then lowered so that the unit can move on to the next location. Businesses will have their own policies as to whether the order picker could be moved with a raised platform. Though the unit can be used to place pallets on a shelf, stackers and forklifts are more often used for to stack pallets.
Because the unit is powered electrically, the battery has to be recharged quite frequently. This is a factor in warehouses and factories that run multiple shifts. Additional batteries can be purchased if the unit is being used during back-to-back shifts.
Prior to choosing an order picker, it is advisable to check the battery capacities of the specific models. Various pickers have their own reach limitations and weight limits. Various order picker models have different travel and lift speeds. The fork size also varies. Most order pickers have a fork size of roughly 1.5 m. While higher travel and lift speeds could help increase production, they could also lead to more accidents. Operators using order pickers should be well trained on the particular units they would be making use of.