Portable stackers are the solution to material handling challenges in dynamic warehouses. In dynamic warehouses, there are constant layout changes and frequent stock movement. Therefore, operators need a quick and flexible way to handle materials. Due to their compact design, they facilitate the movement of goods through narrow aisles and storage spaces, easing operations.
Avcon Forklifts is one of the leading manufacturers of portable stackers in India. Our portable stackers are specially engineered for the versatile material handling needs of different warehouses.
What are portable stackers?
A portable stacker is material handling machinery designed to lift, carry, and stack goods or materials in facilities such as warehouses, stores, or factories. Although the portable stacker is compact and small, it can pick and transport industrial loads like boxes, pallets, and drums or even store other components. In warehouses, these compact lifts can be easily moved across narrow aisles and spaces.
Why are portable stackers important in dynamic warehouses?
In a dynamic warehouse, items stored on the shelves do not have a defined locations, and the layout of storing items is always changing. They utilize the space efficiently, and hence, there is frequent movement of goods.
Portable stackers are ideal for operations in dynamic warehouses due to the following reasons:
1. Compact design
Portable stackers are generally more compact and less heavy-duty than large, bulky forklifts. They take up little space and can easily maneuver goods through narrower aisles, congested warehouses, and smaller/dispersed storage areas that larger forklifts cannot fit into.
2. Seamless relocation
Unlike other stackers, which are mobile and confined to a specific section of the warehouse, portable stackers can be easily relocated to any location due to their compact and lightweight nature.
3. Loading Capacity
Even with a small and compact design, portable stackers can lift heavy loads. They have forks to lift different types of goods from standard pallets, boxes, drums, irregular goods, etc. Avcon forklifts offers portable stackers, which can lift goods up to 1000 kg and up to a height of 3000 mm.
4. Multiple Types to Suit Every Operation
Portable stackers are available in different types, from manually powered stackers where the load is lifted with a hydraulic pump to semi-electric, fully electric, and battery-powered stackers. This offers full customization according to the needs of the warehouse.
5. Adaptable to changing layouts
Layout changes are common in dynamic warehouses. Portable stackers are small, portable, and easily manoeuvrable, which makes them a desirable equipment choice in warehouses where layouts change frequently or in instances where equipment needs to be moved between work zones.
6. Space-Saving Design
Dynamic warehouses try to utilise storage areas to their maximum efficiency. Portable stackers, owing to their compact structure, do not take up much space and can be stored anywhere without occupying ground space. This leads to the best use of available space.
7. Sturdy and durable
Portable stackers are made from mild or stainless steel. These materials are durable, require low maintenance, and offer sturdiness to the stacker. This also makes the stacker lifelong.
Portable stackers are not only portable, robust, and space-saving but also ideal for fast and agile warehouse requirements. Their adaptability and flexibility provide for a working operation that is on the move and requires shifts in layouts and storage modifications.
What are the types of portable stackers?
There are several varieties of portable stackers engineered to meet various workloads, operational requirements, and budgets, from simple manual stackers to complex fully electric stackers and battery-powered models.
1. Manual Hand Stacker
A manual hand stacker is a simple, compact material lifting and stacking equipment where the goods are lifted with manual effort. It uses a manual hydraulic pump for lifting the load and bringing it down. It is used in small workshops, warehouses, and shops where the items to be lifted are lightweight.
2. Semi-Electric Stacker
Semi-electric stackers combine the features of both manual and electric stackers. This means that they are moved manually by pushing or pulling, but the goods are lifted using an electric motor. These do not have a manual pump operating system, which reduces physical effort and saves time. These stackers are used in small- to medium-sized warehouses.
3. Battery-operated fully electric stackers
A battery-operated, fully electric stacker, which is powered by a fully rechargeable battery that powers the electric motor, which moves the stacker from one point to another, without the use of any manual force, and lifts heavy goods. These are used for moving and lifting heavy loads, usually in large warehouses, factories, etc., where there is an ongoing demand for moving and lifting goods.
4. Counter Balance Electric Stacker
A counterbalanced stacker is a pallet-lifting machine that uses a heavy weight at the back to balance the load lifted at the front, allowing it to pick up loads directly without front support legs.
5. Platform Stacker
It is a type of stacker that does not have forks but a platform to lift non-palletised items. It is designed to lift items like boxes, crates, drums, etc. These are useful in warehouses where goods are not stored on pallets and items cannot be lifted by forks.
6. Stainless Steel Stackers
Stainless steel stackers are stackers made of stainless steel SS304
. Attributed to their corrosion resistance and sanitary condition, stainless steel stackers are primarily used in the food processing and pharmaceuticals industries.
What are the applications of portable stackers?
Portable stackers are a multi-functional piece of lifting equipment used in a variety of industries and warehousing applications. They are most commonly used in light to medium lifting environments, as they are compact, smart, and efficient.
Portable stackers can be used in a range of industries:
- Retail & Grocery—Used for stacking/retrieving objects from shelving, loading/unloading delivery trucks and retrieving/organizing stock in storage areas
- Manufacturing & Factories—moving raw materials, components, and finished products within a production line or moving them in a storage facility.
- Logistics & Distribution Centers—Order picking, loading/unloading small shipments, and managing production in tight environments.
- E-commerce & fulfillment centers – Helps workers ergonomic manage small parcels, boxes, and lightweight pallets in fast-paced warehousing.
- Agricultural & Food Processing – To stack and move bags of grain, packaged foods, and other agricultural products.
- Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare – Can be used to move medical supplies, boxes of medicines, and lab equipment without risk of contamination.
- Textile & Garment Industry – To help manage the movement of rolls of fabric, packed garments or other light material.
The types of warehouses where portable stackers are used are:
- Small & Medium Storage Spaces—Portable stackers are utilized by businesses where operationally large forklifts for material handling won’t operate efficiently in business premises where space constricts storage.
- Cold Storage Spaces—Portable stackers are used in specific areas at storage temperature to accommodate temperature-restricted goods, with simple stacking construction and without cumbersome, complex machinery.
- High-Density Storage Spaces (for Narrow Aisles) – Portable stackers are best option for tight spaces where a traditional forklift cannot physically initiate operational efficiency.”
Best suited for dynamic warehouses, portable stackers are suited for operations like
- Just-in-Time (JIT) Operations—Rapid delivery of products directly to the production or shipping dock, eliminating delays.
- Multi-Level Racking Systems—Providing assistance to place and retrieve products at multiple heights without heavy equipment.
- Cross-Docking Facilities—Enhancing rapid transfer of product movement from inbound trucks to outbound trucks with little storage time.
- Automated Warehouse Support—Collaborating with conveyor systems and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for manual handling tasks.
- Flexible Layout Adaptations—Easy transition and layout adaptation throughout the warehouse due to their compact and mobile design.
What are the special features of Avcon portable stackers?
Avcon’s portable stackers are constructed to provide performance, convenience, and operator comfort in every lift. With smart features and ergonomic controls, Avcon portable stackers make material handling faster, safer, and more versatile than any other solution!
Here’s why you should choose our portable stackers:
Motorized Lifting and Lowering Mechanism:
Avcon’s Portable Stackers offer ease and comfort in lifting and lowering loads. The motorized mechanism will speed up the stacking process, while reducing the manual work and operators overall fatigue, which improves productivity.
DC Power Pack for Lifting Mechanism:
The lifting mechanism uses a DC power pack that is designed to work properly and efficiently. The consistency of the DC power helps control and handle different loads with smoothness.
On-board Battery and Charger:
Avcon portable stackers are equipped with an on-board battery & charger which supply the power needed for the lifting motor. The on-board power supply allows for maximum portability without reliance on an outside power source, keeping workflow uninterrupted.
Push-button Controls for Lifting and Lowering:
The lift and lower procedures are made easier with nearby push-button controls. The simple controls facilitate precise movements and support safe and efficient operation, reducing training requirements and operational error.
Battery Discharge Indicator:
This gives operators a physical indicator to see the level of the battery. Keeping track of battery life will help eliminate operational surprises by being able to recharge the battery before the machine stops functioning. This helps maintain operational periods.
Adjustable Fork Width:
The fork width can be changed to accommodate different pallet dimensions. Being able to handle a wide range of pallet types and loads makes a stacker much more versatile in varying applications, improving flexibility in distribution centre operations.
These features together make the AVCON portable stackers efficient, convenient, and flexible in material handling tasks, providing comfort and enhanced stacking and operational reliability for operators in a warehouse or industrial application.
Portable stacker solutions from Avcon are the key to flexible and efficient material handling in dynamic warehouse environments. With features like compact design, ease of relocation, robust load capacity, and operator-friendly controls, Avcon’s portable stackers keep workflows agile and adaptable through changing layouts and storage demands. For any operation focused on maximizing space, speed, and worker comfort, a portable stacker delivers the versatility and reliability modern warehouses need—making portable stacker the ideal choice for every evolving storage challenge.
