Pallet Stacker, Manual Pallet Stacker, Walk Behind Pallet Stacker Selection Guide:

The average empty pallet weighs approximately 50 pounds. Some weigh in at more than 80 pounds. Choosing an efficient method of gathering and managing pallets can mean the difference between profit and loss--employee safety and hazardous working conditions. And what about full pallets? If not moved properly, you risk product damage and steep drops in quality. When it comes to efficient storage and distribution, the manual pallet stacker you choose is critical. Its use will save time and money and also prevent needless injuries.

Key Specifications for a Manual Pallet Stacker

Self-propelled stackers are similar to forklift trucks but not as large or as expensive usually. Yet, you can take a stacker to the loading dock, pick up a loaded pallet of merchandise, travel with it back to the retail store side of the operation position your stacker unit at the shelf up to twelve feet in the air and smoothly lift the pallet and merchandise to the level of the storage shelf and remove the forks from the pallet, leaving the merchandise and pallet safely positioned on a shelf.

Self-propelled stackers are usually constructed of steel with the wheels of polyurethane. The controls for raising and lowering the forks, forward and reverse speeds and the brake are generally located in the handle on the heavy duty models or as a separate lever for raising and lowering the forks on the medium duty units.

The unit is steered with the aid of a butterfly handle which tilts and twists as well as lowering or raising as required. A double safety braking system is available on the self-propelled stackers. Not only does the dead man's feature prevent rider less runaway vehicles, but the unit ensures protection from dropping carriage, forks or mast.

The mast is the upright portion of the pallet stacker on which the carriage rides that does the actual work of raising or lowering the forks. The mast of the manual pallet stacker also serves as protection for the operator from loads falling backward onto the stacker.

The stabilization legs and the forks may be adjustable for different pallet sizes or support needs. Stabilization legs may be straddle type, fork over or in some instances there will be no stabilization legs, being replaced by a counterweight system.

Although the self-propelled stackers are not capable of a high rate of speed and most have a top speed of around 5 miles per hour and they can still travel fast enough to create some safety hazards. Pushing the top limits of speed, especially with the load extended can create top-heavy conditions and may lead to longer stopping times in an emergency stop situations. Although visibility is excellent on the empty stackers, when loaded they have almost no front visibility. Particularly in high traffic areas, care must be taken to avoid running into or over other employees.

Other common safety issues with equipment of this type is running over feet.