Stacker Selection Guide:  9 Key Factors for Finding the Right Stacker

Stacker Selection Guide: 9 Key Factors for Finding the Right Stacker

You know you need lifting equipment to increase your efficiency in both transport and storage, but if you're not quite sure what it is, a stacker may be just the lifting equipment you're looking for.

Stacker; It is a large and robust lifting equipment used to transport loads safely and effectively in bulk, lift and place them to a certain height or pick up the load from a high place. When we look at its use in narrow corridor areas, its manoeuvrability is higher due to its smaller size compared to the forklift machine. We can say that it is an improved version of the pallet truck for stackers. It is widely used in material management in warehouses, logistics centres or production facilities.

According to other lifting equipment; There are more than one main headings to be considered when choosing a stacker. Let's examine 9 key factors that will guide you when choosing a stacker.

1. Mode of Operation

According to the way of working, stackers are divided into 3. These are; manual stacker, semi-powered stacker and full battery stacker. The way of working; It is directly related to how intensive the stacker can work. Manual stacker preference in intensive work tires the operator and can slow down the work process. For this reason, when choosing a stacker, it is necessary to pay attention to the way of working first. For light loads, short distances and infrequent use range, manual or semi-powered stacker should be preferred, while for heavy loads or long distances, full battery stacker should be preferred. Here, the battery stacker model should be preferred according to the working time.

2. Load Capacity:

The payload capacity of the stacker is a critical factor affecting your operations. Determine the load capacity you need. When considering the load capacity, knowing that the load capacity will decrease as the lifting height increases, which is the working principle of stackers, will be your important key point when choosing. If you determine how much load you need to put the heaviest load on high shelves, it will be easier for you to choose a model.

3. Lifting Height

Lifting height is one of the most important other features of stackers. Here you need to know how high the load can be lifted. At the same time, depending on the height of your storage area, evaluate how high the stacker can lift. This important detail will help you make the best use of your storage space. If you want to stack in a place with a low ceiling, you should choose a stack with freelift feature. In Paftar Lifting Equipment stacker models, freelift feature is available in ES1546ZF model.

4. Area of use

Stackers work on flat surfaces such as epoxy floor, wiped concrete and asphalt. You cannot work with stackers on dirt floors or ramps. Another important point you should pay attention to in the area of use is whether you will work in narrow corridors or in large warehouse areas. The features we have mentioned are important points about the area of use that will allow you to choose a stacker or forklift. There should not be a rail shaft or set-shaped pit in the door thresholds, these obstacles can damage your wheels and gearbox.

5. How to use

Decide how to use the stacker. Although the stacker is generally preferred for lifting loads to high places, some businesses prefer stackers for transport purposes only. You need to determine well for which purpose you will use it. However, do not forget that it is used for both purposes. The important thing here is the percentage of use. The battery powered stacker is more expensive than the battery powered pallet truck, if you have more transport work and less shelf placement work, you can make your operation more efficient with an additional battery powered pallet truck.

6. Pallet Type

Although standard euro pallets are often used in businesses, determine which type of pallets you will use. Standard pallets or specially designed pallets? The stacker must be suitable for the pallet type. Because stackers are divided according to pallet types. There are also stackers with adjustable fork width.

7. Working Time

Çalışma süresi, istif makinesinin bir şarj ile ne kadar süre boyunca operasyonda kalabileceğini belirler. Elektrikli istif makineleri genellikle daha uzun çalışma sürelerine sahip olabilir ve zaman verimliliği açısından avantajlıdır. Manuel istif makineleri tamamen operatör kas gücüyle çalıştığı için iş süresini uzatırken, yükün ağır olması sebebiyle operatörü yorar, bu da iş süresini uzatır. Kaç vardiya olduğunu ve vardiyada kaç saat çalışacağınızı hesaplamanız gerekir. Çoklu vardiya sistemiyle çalışan firmaların çift akü ile istif kullanması gerekebilir. Tek vardiya çalışılıyorsa, çalışma süresine göre model seçilmesi gerekir.
 

8. Manoeuvrability:

Manoeuvrability includes the stacker's ability to navigate in tight spaces and the ability to place loads precisely. Narrow aisle stackers can often manoeuvre effectively in limited warehouse spaces, which allows flexibility in warehouse organisation. Manoeuvrability can significantly impact operational efficiency by increasing mobility within the warehouse. If you want to lift transfer or heavy loads on high shelves, you should choose models with a large floor projection for occupational safety.

9. Service and Spare Parts

You have found the stacker with the technical features you want, the last thing you should pay attention to is the service and spare parts service. Although the product features and price are suitable for you, make sure that the service and spare parts service is fast and professional. In case of any technical problems or maintenance needs, it is necessary to provide fast and effective support, stock and quality of stacker spare parts. 


Choosing the right stacker can make your business's warehouse operations more efficient and save costs in the long run. You need to carefully evaluate these factors to choose the most suitable one for your specific needs. If you wish, you can examine our stacker models. The most important thing to keep in mind is that PAFTAR guarantees good price, good quality and good service.