Reach trucks: features and advantages

Introduction: In the theory and practice of rational warehousing, the volumetric filling of the warehouse is of great importance. That is, effective storage in a warehouse involves not only horizontal storage, but also vertical storage of goods. Racks provide vertical storage of goods, and loading/unloading on them is carried out by stackers. To see the range of various stackers, you need to go to the company’s website akb-shtabeler.ru.

Word stacker

In the English interpretation, these mechanisms are called “Stacker”. In the Russian translation it is “layer” and in the formal Russian translation it refers more likely to pipe or stack layers. The word stacker is more suited to the semantic meaning of the word “stacks” - correctly stacked loads. From here it becomes clear that a stacker is a mechanism that helps to correctly stack any cargo.

In fact, the stacker only helps lift and stack loads placed on transport pallets. The design of the pallet allows the fork lifting mechanism of the stacker to pick up the load and safely lift it to the desired height and lower it from it.

How does an electric stacker differ from an electric forklift?

Nowadays, no production can do without a loader, because it is simply impossible to manually stack huge loads. And in this article we will talk about what an electric stacker is and what they are like, and also consider all the features of such equipment and talk about its manufacturers.

Types of electric forklifts

Electric stackerIn modern warehouses or open areas you can find a lot of different lifting equipment that replaces manual labor.
These are forklifts - vehicles that are necessary for lifting, moving over short distances and stacking heavy loads. If we talk specifically about electric forklifts, then according to their design they can be of two types: - three-legged; - four-legged. Each type is suitable for specific purposes. In addition, they may differ in carrying capacity and other technical characteristics. What is an electric stacker
? A stacker is a vehicle that is equipped with a special mechanism for lifting, moving and stacking loads.
Such equipment greatly simplifies the task of stacking cargo in stacks or racks in several tiers. An electric stacker is the same vehicle for lifting, transporting and stacking goods, but powered by electricity. That is, an electric drive is used as the driving force. And although such equipment originated from forklifts, they are still different equipment designed for different tasks. Differences between an electric stacker and a loader
Despite the fact that stackers and loaders are used for similar tasks, the difference between an electric forklift and an electric stacker is quite large.
And first of all, the differences relate to the design: Stackers are non-self-propelled equipment, which is more intended for loading/unloading goods and moving them over short distances. At the same time, the maximum lifting angle that the stacker can overcome does not exceed three degrees. In fact, this is equipment for a closed warehouse, in which the whole task is reduced to moving and stacking cargo within one room. Forklifts are self-propelled devices that have a higher speed, so they are more suitable when there is a need to transport goods from one warehouse to another or from a warehouse to production facilities and vice versa. Considering all of the above, we can conclude that loaders are designed for a wider range of jobs, while stackers are more functional in their specialization. Based on their design features, the scope of their application is determined. And each of these types of technology has its own advantages. Advantages of an electric stacker
Stacker controllability So, we figured out what a loader and an electric stacker are, and also found out what the difference between them is.
Now it is worth noting some of the advantages of the latter: - Compactness. - Maneuverability. - Ease of operation. - Durability and reliability of the design. - Versatility. - Large load capacity. - Ability to work with hard-to-reach racks. At the same time, there is a huge selection of different types of electric stackers to perform specific tasks - with rotary forks and so on. Types of electric stackers
Electric stackers are divided into two groups: - self-propelled; - driven.
In addition, this equipment is divided according to the following characteristics: Narrow-aisle stacker - specific equipment that will be convenient in warehouses with limited space, narrow inter-rack passages, and so on. Reach truck for a warehouse - a stacker equipped with a retractable mast. Thanks to this design feature, this model is often used to service high-rise racks, the height of which can reach 13 meters. Pickers - the peculiarity of this type of stacker is that it is not the forks that are lifted, but the entire platform with the operator. This type of loading equipment is used for manual stacking and removal of goods onto racks. In general, this type of loading equipment is replete with variety, and the types of stackers can be listed for a long time. It is important to know that there are universal and highly targeted models, as well as self-propelled and driven ones. In addition, there are models with rotating forks, which can be convenient in certain cases. Electric self-propelled carts
Self-propelled cartSelf-propelled models, in turn, are also divided into several subtypes: - Self-propelled driven - the operator does not have to push the cart himself, but the speed of such a model is limited by the walking speed of a person. - Self-propelled with a folding step. - Self-propelled with a place for the operator.
Moreover, there are models with a sitting or standing position. - Such a trolley is capable of reaching speeds of up to 10 km/h. - Self-propelled trolley - has a higher load capacity and moving speed compared to standard options. - Self-propelled with electro-hydraulic fork lifting. As mentioned above, the variety of stackers is very wide, but if we talk about self-propelled models, then this is a more universal technique. This is due to a number of undeniable advantages: - simplicity and ease of use; - increased load capacity; - ease of operation; - speed of completing assigned tasks. However, there is also the other side of the coin: - The presence of a battery increases the weight and dimensions of the device. - From time to time you will have to charge a dead battery. Based on the above, we can conclude that a self-propelled electric stacker is an excellent choice for large warehouses and for working with large loads and high racks. Manual electric stacker
A manual electric stacker is the same as a loading vehicle. But, unlike self-propelled guns, it is not equipped with a wheel drive. The operator has to push the cart to the desired location. And the electric drive in such models serves to lift the forks or working platform. In this regard, the carrying capacity of such models is slightly lower than that of self-propelled ones. A manual fork stacker also has a number of advantages: Manual electric stacker - compact dimensions; - low cost; - ease of operation; - durability. The overhead electric stacker is more often used in small warehouses or shopping centers, hypermarkets and so on.

What is the difference between an electric stacker and a loader?

This is interesting because many people confuse and do not distinguish between the mechanisms called stacker and loader. The stacker is not a vehicle. Unlike a forklift, it is not intended for transporting pallets with cargo between racks, and especially between different warehouses, even in the same territory. The loader solves these problems.

The stacker is intended only for lifting and lowering loads placed on pallets from frontal and drive-in type racks. The loader can lift/lower and transport loads over fairly long distances. In this case, raising and lowering for them is an auxiliary purpose (unloading the machine).

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This difference is supported by the presence of two types of stackers:

• Moving stackers (manual, electric, self-propelled);
• Trailed stackers (without the ability to move independently).

If you paint an ideal picture of filling the empty front racks of a large warehouse, it would look like this.

Warehouse forklifts unload pallets from arriving trucks and transport loaded pallets from the trucks to the aisles between the racks. In the aisles, loads are placed so that a stacker can freely approach them.

Next, the operator of a manual electric stacker, controlling it, “pushes” the pallets onto the racks. For the ability of a stacker to operate between racks, the width of the passage between them and two parameters of the selected stacker are of great importance: the minimum width of the working corridor and the turning angle.

For example, JAC stackers can operate in a passage from 2575 mm, and their turning angle is from 1525 to 1655 mm (for stackers from 1 to 2 tons).

Where are they used?

Loaders

The loader is characterized by a high degree of maneuverability and small dimensions. Load capacity from 1 to 20 tons, lifting height ranges from 3 to 6 meters, speed up to 20 km/h. Most often they are used for transporting pallets and containers in open, spacious warehouses.

Stackers

The stacker is much preferable for working in heated rooms. For example, it is used for warehouses and shopping centers. Due to their compact size, they require much less free space to operate compared to forklifts.

Reach trucks

Reach trucks are used mainly for operation in A/A+ class warehouses. With their help, it is much more convenient to maintain high shelving systems. Unlike other types of warehouse equipment, they can only be used on a level floor covering.

Reach truck: device features, differences from stacker and loader

A reach truck is a type of equipment used in warehouses. It is needed to transport cargo to the racks. A reach truck is a very good and functional tool, as it can lift loads to great heights. But there is a lot of such equipment for working in this kind of premises, so the question may arise, why buy this particular machine. If you look into this question, the answer will come by itself. There are many design features of this machine that are worth considering. It seems to be an ordinary-looking transporter, but only in appearance. If you compare it with its “brothers”, the differences will be obvious. And the phrase “brothers” refers to such types of equipment as stackers and loaders. The basis of the task and operation of this machine is to load materials or any other cargo to a high height, onto any upper rack, which can be even higher than 10 meters. A reach truck can also transport cargo around a warehouse, but this is not its main purpose. There are simpler machines for this without an intricate design.

If you still compare the reach truck https://oxlift.ru/catalog/richtraki/ with other types of loading equipment, then you can highlight a number of features that will be distinctive, since many workers think that a reach truck can easily be attributed to the class of stackers, but this is not true at all, let's figure it out.

• A distinctive feature is the mast; forks are attached to it, which in turn can move backwards. This design will significantly increase loading accuracy and productivity.
• The reach truck has a counterweight. This is not a distinguishing factor, but it is a very important feature. In the machine in question, the counterweight is located in the middle, and this in turn means that the machine will be more stable on the surface.
• If you compare the lifting capacity of a stacker with a reach truck, you can see a fairly big difference, because in a stacker the maximum lifting height is 6 meters, and in a reach truck it is 12. The reduction in load capacity with each meter for a stacker decreases more than for a reach truck.
• The reach truck is more passable in narrow openings. The maximum width of the opening through which a reach truck can pass is 2.7 meters, which is almost one and a half times larger compared to a stacker, which is 3.3 meters.

The completely modern design is completely practical and safe. Also, control from the cab and great functionality make a reach truck a necessity. Everyone would like to get high speed and performance from such a device, and you will get it.

Differences between an electric stacker and a loader

Despite the fact that a self-propelled stacker and loaders are used for similar tasks, the difference between an electric forklift and an electric stacker is quite large. And first of all, the differences relate to the design:

• Stackers are non-self-propelled equipment, which is more designed for loading/unloading goods and moving them over short distances. At the same time, the maximum lifting angle that the stacker can overcome does not exceed three degrees. In fact, this is equipment for a closed warehouse, in which the whole task is reduced to moving and stacking cargo within one room.
• Forklifts are self-propelled devices that have a higher speed, so they are more suitable when there is a need to transport goods from one warehouse to another or from a warehouse to production facilities and vice versa.

Considering all of the above, we can conclude that loaders are designed for a wider range of jobs, while stackers are more functional in their specialization. Based on their design features, the scope of their application is determined. And each of these types of technology has its own advantages.

Advantages of an electric stacker

So, we figured out what a forklift and an electric stacker are, and also found out what the difference between them is. Now it is worth noting some advantages of the latter:

1. Compactness.
2. Maneuverability.
3. Easy to operate.
4. Durability and reliability of the design.
5. Versatility.
6. Large load capacity.
7. Ability to work with hard-to-reach racks.

At the same time, there is a huge selection of different types of electric stackers to perform specific tasks - with rotary forks and so on.

What is the difference between a stacker and a reach truck?

Modern warehouses are something huge in their scale. The warehouse area and height can reach large numbers. Accordingly, in order to completely get rid of labor-intensive manual work, you need to purchase equipment appropriate for such a place. There are completely different types, but we will talk about two - these are reach trucks and stackers that are familiar to everyone (https://oxlift.ru/catalog/shtabelery/). To better understand what the difference is, and what would be more profitable and practical to purchase, we will talk further.

Types of stackers:.

1. Manual hydraulic - needed for lifting to a small height, since the strength, power and design will not allow lifting the load higher. It consists of: a frame with forks, a chassis and a hydraulic unit. The largest mass that can be lifted is 1 ton, and the height is up to 3 meters.
2. Electro-hydraulic – this stacker has a higher lifting capacity, but not by much. The maximum height is 6 meters, but the higher the load, the less stable the machine. It runs on mains power and also has batteries.
3. Self-propelled with electro-hydraulic drive. This type of stacker is the latest and most advanced type. But the height is less than the previous version, but the load capacity is greater - 3.5 tons. It can also reach speeds of up to 8 km/h, which may be relevant for a large warehouse, which cannot be said about the previous car. It can also work without recharging for about 10 hours. To make the machine stable, various types of counterweights are used.

Design and characteristics of reach trucks

Reach truck (https://oxlift.ru/catalog/richtraki/) is the latest technology. This is a hybrid of a stacker and a loader. It combines the best qualities. It can lift loads to a height of more than 10 meters, which is very good for warehouses with large shelving heights. The speed also develops high - 12 km/h, as well as a load capacity of about 2.5 tons.

All these qualities make it clear that this technique is very good for warehouses that are large in area and height. Can drive fast and reach high. The steel frame is the basis of the design of this machine. Another feature is the mast, which extends upward and is controlled by the operator. And the operator is in his cabin.

The counterweight is installed in the middle, this ensures complete stability. Wheels installed on a reach truck will not damage the warehouse floor. Also speaking about the operator’s (driver’s) cabin, there is a control panel installed there. There is also a system that prevents the load from falling from a height, the operator will be completely protected in this case.