Stacker Trucks

YOUR GUIDE TO STACKER TRUCKS

In any warehouse or loading bay, there’s going to be a lot of heavy lifting to be done. While we might pride ourselves on how much we can carry, when it comes to moving pallets up to a tonne in weight, it’s about time to use some lifting equipment. If you’re wondering, “what’s the best tool for moving heavy pallets?” then you’re in the right place. At Lifting Equipment Store, we’re here to guide and inform you – so you can feel fully confident in the equipment you use at work. Hydraulic and winch pallet stackers, or stacker trucks, might be precisely what you need to get things moving in your industry. 

Available in electric or manual, Pallet Stackers reach higher than a standard or even high-lift pallet truck with lifting heights up to 3500mm (3.5m). Electric stackers are generally battery powered, charged via an electrical outlet and are available in semi-electric (where the forks lift and lower electronically while the travel is controlled manually by pushing or pulling) or full electric operation whilst manual Stacker Trucks are pushed around by hand (like a big pallet truck) and the forks are also lifted manually either using a winch or hydraulic jacking system.

Loading and unloading trucks, vans and shelves with pallets and others heavy loads up to 2500kg is made light work with Stacker Trucks, worry no more when the trucks pull up outside- you can unload them with our cost-effective solutions. Choose from Stackers with fixed or adjustable forks, standard or straddle type legs, short or high lifts. We have a solution for every application.

Nearly all of our Stacker Trucks are delivered fully assembled (unless portable/foldable by design) and are delivered extremely fast exactly when you need them. LES are total experts when it comes to supplying stackers from leading manufacturers around the world, we offer our own brand (LES by Lifting Equipment Store) alongside some of the industry leading innovators such as Genie and Pfaff.

WHAT ARE STACKER TRUCKS?

Manual pallet stackers are a tool used for the lifting and raising of heavy loads. They can generally carry loads of up to 5 tonnes, making carrying larger items and heavily stacked pallets much easier. Made with either hydraulic pumps or winches, they also allow you to raise these heavy items, generally up to 2850mm (higher on request). Some stackers are even designed to be used together with ladders for loading and unloading to and from higher storage units.

Often stacker trucks will be fitted with smooth steerable wheels, permitting you to transport large items around the workplace with relative ease. These wheels will sometimes be designed with sturdy brakes, giving you total security when you stop to load or unload your stacker.

And then there are Mini Stackers, which generally carry loads of up to 150kg. These can be very handy in work environments that require lots of lighter weight industrial lifting to and from delivery trucks and domestic lifting tasks like moving house.

HOW DO STACKER TRUCKS WORK?

Most stackers act much like forklifts, designed with forks that lock into pallets so that you can raise them off the ground. Once the forks are locked into the pallet, or the load is stacked on top of the forks, lifting is achieved through the use of a hydraulic pump or winch.

In a hydraulic manual stacker, you use a pump-activated lever that activates a jack to raise the forks off the ground. The hydraulics in these stackers are optimised by high-quality seal kits that also help keep them safe and secure.

On the other hand, you also have winch-operated pallet stackers. These stacker trucks are operated by turning winches that are attached to either link chains or strong wire cables. A winch pallet stacker can often lift and lower loads quicker than the hydraulic variety, and they are fitted with special brakes to reduce the risk of accidental lowering, giving you complete control.

You can also get stackers with tables in place of the forks, offering a larger surface area onto which you can load items, some of which use scissor lift mechanisms. However, they can also be a little trickier when handling pallets, as forks can make purchases in the gaps between planks that tables cannot. 

It’s also worth noting that some stacker trucks are semi-electric, doing the hard part for you and making lifting easier than ever.

WHAT STACKER TRUCKS ARE AVAILABLE AT LES?

LS MINI STACKER WITH ADJUSTABLE FORKS & PLATFORM

Key Features:

• Ideal for loading and unloading from shelves, vans, cars, and trucks 
• 80kg or 150kg available capacity
• Winch operated

LES HYDRAULIC HAND STACKER TRUCK

Key Features:

• Controlled lowering
• 500kg-1000kg available capacity
• Hydraulics can be operated with both foot and hand pump

LES SEMI-ELECTRIC HYDRAULIC HAND STACKER

Key Features:

• Electric lift functionality
• 1000kg capacity
• Adjustable forks

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN USING A STACKER TRUCK

5 KEY TIPS FOR SAFE STACKING:

1. Make sure the truck is in order – look for signs of wear and tear to ensure safety.
2. Avoid ramps – carrying heavy loads up and down ramps can lead to accidents.
3. Pull rather than push – pulling allows for better control over your truck.
4. Follow the load limit – the capacity is there for a reason, so don’t overload your stacker.
5. Use your brakes – again, they are there for a reason, so don’t feel the need to rush.

IS A STACKER TRUCK A SUITABLE SOLUTION FOR YOU?

Offering easy solutions to heavy lifting tasks, pallet stackers are a staple in warehouses and workplaces all over the UK. If you are dealing with heavy loads regularly, perhaps it’s time to make a move and invest in one.

Still not sure what it is you need? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our LES team - we will guide you to a solution that’s right for you and your industry.