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What is a Pallet Stacker?

Mitch Morgan
Mitch Morgan
Mitch Morgan
Mitch Morgan

A pallet stacker is a type pallet jack used to help lift, move and stack palletized goods that are too heavy to lift manually. A pallet stacker’s main purpose is to load and unload pallets on trucks, and to transfer pallets from one location to another inside a warehouse or storage space. Most pallet stackers are built of heavy-duty materials to withstand extreme weights and heavy daily use.

Pallet stackers or jacks may be walk behind, or operated from an upright or seated position. Pallet stackers are typically divided into two types: manual and powered. A pallet stacker is comprised of some basic components. The stacker’s forks slide underneath a pallet, move, and lift it to desired height. The stacker’s engine compartment or casing houses hydraulic, electronic, or gas-run equipment that powers the machine.

Pallet stackers help lift and move palletized goods.
Pallet stackers help lift and move palletized goods.

A manual pallet stacker is hand-powered and operates hydraulically to make lifting heavy pallets an easier task. It is usually a walk-behind, which means it is operated by pushing and pulling the jack to its desired location. Pumping a foot pedal or handle raises the stacker’s forks. Squeezing a separate trigger or lever returns the forks to the ground level. Manual pallet stackers are ideal for lighter loads of up to approximately one ton (907.18 kg), depending on the model’s maximum weight capacity.

Indoor forklifts, which often allow for lifting items stacked on pallets, typically have electric-powered motors.
Indoor forklifts, which often allow for lifting items stacked on pallets, typically have electric-powered motors.

Gas or electric powered pallet stackers help make stacking heavier pallets easier by lifting weights of up to around five tons (4535.92 kg). These provide automatic power to raise and lower the stacker’s forks, and are thus less physically demanding than manual ones. A throttle on the machine’s handle moves it forward and in reverse. It is steered by turning the handle in the desired direction, and its forks are raised and lowered by buttons found on the handle. A pallet stacker that is operated from a sit-down position is commonly known as a forklift.

Manual pallet stackers operate hydraulically to allow lifting of heavy objects.
Manual pallet stackers operate hydraulically to allow lifting of heavy objects.

Selecting the right pallet jack to suit a specific job is critical. The lift height, weight maximum, and fork width may vary dramatically between individual units. A stacker’s lift height may allow only two pallets to be stacked, while others may reach heights that allow multiple pallet stacking. Some forklift-style pallet stackers feature an adjustable fork width that allows the jack to slide beneath pallets of various shapes and sizes. These are a popular choice when many different style pallets are regularly used, as it may eliminate the need for more than one pallet stacker.

Mitch Morgan
Mitch Morgan

Mitch is a journalist, photographer, and test administrator who has contributed to a diverse array of publications, including the Oxford, Mississippi arts and entertainment guide Oxford Town and the trade publication Nightclub & Bar Magazine. In addition to his freelance work for AboutMechanics and several other websites, Mitch has written dozens of album reviews, allowing him to showcase his love of music and media.

Learn more...
Mitch Morgan
Mitch Morgan

Mitch is a journalist, photographer, and test administrator who has contributed to a diverse array of publications, including the Oxford, Mississippi arts and entertainment guide Oxford Town and the trade publication Nightclub & Bar Magazine. In addition to his freelance work for AboutMechanics and several other websites, Mitch has written dozens of album reviews, allowing him to showcase his love of music and media.

Learn more...

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    • Pallet stackers help lift and move palletized goods.
      By: sharplaninac
      Pallet stackers help lift and move palletized goods.
    • Indoor forklifts, which often allow for lifting items stacked on pallets, typically have electric-powered motors.
      By: bugphai
      Indoor forklifts, which often allow for lifting items stacked on pallets, typically have electric-powered motors.
    • Manual pallet stackers operate hydraulically to allow lifting of heavy objects.
      By: endostock
      Manual pallet stackers operate hydraulically to allow lifting of heavy objects.
    • Most pallet stackers are built of heavy-duty materials to withstand extreme weights and heavy duty use.
      By: Lagui
      Most pallet stackers are built of heavy-duty materials to withstand extreme weights and heavy duty use.