A Guide To What Is a Walkie Stacker – Types, Features, & Applications

A Guide To What Is a Walkie Stacker – Types, Features, & Applications

Meta Description: Walkie stackers are versatile tools for efficient warehouse pallet handling. Learn about types, features, and applications.

Walkie stackers are versatile material-handling equipment used across industries. This article provides a comprehensive overview of walkie stackers – from understanding what they are and how they work to their applications and benefits over conventional forklifts.

We will explore various types of walkie stackers, analyze their key features and operating mechanisms, and how they efficiently lift and transport palletized loads. The article also compares walkie stackers with forklifts and discusses maintenance aspects.

Key Takeaways

• Walkie stackers are versatile material handling equipment for lifting and transporting palletized goods over short distances.
• The main types are standard, straddle, counterbalance, and ride-on walkie stackers, each suited to specific tasks and load capacities.
• They are easy to operate, maneuverable in tight spaces, and help improve productivity and safety compared to larger forklifts.

What Is a Walkie Stacker?

A walkie stacker, also known as a walk-behind stacker, pedestrian stacker, or powered pallet truck, is a type of materials handling equipment commonly used in warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities.

It uses a walk-behind operation to lift and transport palletized goods over short distances within tight spaces.

Walkie stackers feature adjustable forks or platforms to lift loads and are powered by electric motors or combustion engines to handle standard pallets, bottomless pallets, and other materials.

Types of Walkie-Stackers

There are many types of walkie-stackers. Some of them are as follows:

• Standard walkie stacker: A standard walkie stacker, also called a manual walkie stacker, has adjustable forks and is powered by electric motors to lift standard pallets and bottomless pallets over short distances in small warehouses and tight spaces.
• Straddle stacker: Also known as a walkie straddle stacker, this machine has straddle legs that distribute the load weight across its front legs. It can lift pallets to higher heights using its pantographic scissor mast.
• Counter-balance walkie stacker: As the name suggests, it uses a counterbalance weight mechanism to lift loads forward. It has a higher lifting capacity than standard walkie stackers and can handle two pallets at once in the warehouse.
• Ride-on walkie stacker: Sometimes called a walkie stacker ride, this type has a platform and unique controls that allow the operator to ride on the stacker’s body while distributing loads. It requires a forklift license.

Key Features and Design of Walkie Stacker

Some key walkie-reach stacker features include adjustable forks or platforms to lift standard pallets and bottomless pallets of varying weights, straddle legs that distribute the load weight across front legs for stability, and a mast featuring a pantographic scissor mechanism for lifting pallets to taller heights in warehouse racking.

The stacker body is compact, making it easy to maneuver in narrow aisles and tight spaces within facilities. A counterbalance weight mechanism at the rear counteracts the load weight and allows the lifting loads forward for transport and stacking.

How Does a Walkie-Stacker Work?

A walkie-stacker is operated by someone walking behind or alongside the equipment. The operator controls the stacker’s movement and load-lifting functions using a control handle or steering wheel. The stacker walkie is powered by an electric motor or combustion engine to transport palletized goods within warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities.

It lifts standard and bottomless pallets of varying weights using adjustable forks or platforms. The mast then raises pallets to taller heights for closer pallet stacking in racking or floor stacking areas.

Operating a Walkie Stacker

A walkie-stacker is easy for one person to operate. The operator walks alongside the equipment and uses a control handle or steering wheel to maneuver the stacker’s small wheels within narrow aisles.

Controls allow lifting standard pallets to minimum lifting heights using the mast and adjustable forks, then transporting the palletized loads forward for closer pallet stacking in warehouse racking or floor stacking areas.

Lifting and Transporting Loads

The walkie-reach stacker lifts standard pallets or bottomless pallets of varying weights from the floor using its adjustable forks or platform. The mast then elevates pallets to minimum or taller lifting heights as required.

The operator can easily maneuver the stacker within narrow aisles to transport palletized loads forward for closer pallet stacking in customer-assigned storage spaces, such as warehouse racking or specialized floor stacking areas.

Applications of Walkie Stackers

Here are some of the common applications of walkie stackers, including:

• Stacking pallets: Walkie stackers are utilized in warehouses and specialized warehousing sections to stack pallets of goods efficiently.
• Handling pallets: These stackers, including pedestrian walk-behind stackers and counterbalance walkie stackers, are ideal for handling pallets within customer zone racking areas and utility vehicles.
• Loading trucks and trailers: Walkie stackers, such as walkie-reach stackers and straddle stackers, offer the capability to load trucks and trailers with ease, thanks to their lift bottomless pallets feature.
• Distributing load weight: Walkie stackers distribute load weight evenly, ensuring the safe handling of goods and optimizing warehouse capacity.
• Specialized lifting: With features like the highest lifting mast and specialized mast for lifting pallets, walkie stackers can handle various materials handling equipment efficiently, especially in environments with limited lifting heights and flat concrete floors.

Walkie stackers require minimal space and can be used in narrow aisles. Their straddled legs design offers extra handling capacity and maneuverability.