Horizontal order pickers

Horizontal Order Pickers

A horizontal order picker is designed with two forks behind the operator, which can transport pallets or roll containers. These trucks are used in warehouses or distribution centers to collect orders at ground level and the first level. Special versions are equipped with a lift platform for the operator to pick efficiently at the first level. Another option includes lifting forks (about 80 cm) to make pallet stacking more ergonomic.

Horizontal order pickers are often fitted with creep speed buttons, allowing the operator to move the machine forward by pressing a button while walking beside it. Modern versions also offer extensive options for mounting accessories such as terminals, scanners, and computers.

Vertical Order Pickers

Vertical order pickers, equipped with a mast, allow for order picking at greater heights. They are categorized into low-level, medium-level, and high-level order pickers (up to about 12 meters working height).

These machines can be freely maneuvered or, in narrow aisles, use a guidance system. There are two types of guidance systems: mechanical side guidance (wheels on either side of the machine) and inductive guidance, where the truck follows an inductive wire in the warehouse floor.

Since vertical order pickers are often custom-built, their marketability can be limited. If the machine does not fit exactly in the (narrow) aisles and other operational conditions, it becomes useless.

Vertical order pickers are equipped with an emergency descent valve to help the operator descend in case of a malfunction, and an abseil package to allow the operator to exit the cabin without external assistance.

The German market requires narrow aisle trucks to have a safety system called PSA (Personenschutz-Anlage), which protects pedestrians in narrow aisles. This system detects people and machines in the aisle and automatically slows down the truck to prevent collisions.