Order Pickers vs. Forklifts

Order pickers are technically a type of forklift. They belong to Class II – Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks, characterized by their electric power source. Unlike forklifts, which can come in different fuel types, including internal combustion, order pickers are exclusively battery/electric.

Key differences between order pickers and traditional forklifts include:

Design: Most forklifts are designed to pick up many items via a pallet, forks, and mast, with the operator remaining in place. In contrast, order pickers simultaneously lift the pallet, the platform, and the operator, making them ideal for hand-picking stock from shelves or racks.

Mobility: Order pickers are smaller and more maneuverable than many other forklifts, allowing them to move quickly and easily through a warehouse. Forklifts, on the other hand, can be larger and are often not designed for narrow aisles or tight spaces.

Vertical Reach: Order pickers are designed to reach higher shelves and racks than most forklifts, with some models capable of reaching up to 12 meters. Most forklifts can only reach up to 6 meters.

Purpose: Order pickers are specifically designed for picking and filling orders, while forklifts are used for a wide range of material handling tasks, including loading and unloading, pallet transport, and stacking.