Picture this: your warehouse operation is bustling with activity, but your order pickers are trapped in a frustrating dance of inefficiency. Employees move long miles through cramped aisles, climb up and down ladders again and again, and fight with bulky equipment that was never designed for today's high-density storage environments. Stock chasers deliver a focused answer to these pain points, revolutionizing how your team gets around, selects, and moves materials in limited-space facilities.

What Exactly Is a Stock Chaser?

A stock chaser is a compact, stand-up electric vehicle designed for order picking and material transfer in narrow aisles. Different from traditional forklifts that need a large turning radius and substantial aisle space, these nimble vehicles move through spaces as tight as ordinary doorways while maintaining strong payload capacities.

Tackling Your Operational Issues

Narrow Aisle Navigation Made Simple

Current warehouses typically use a narrow aisle approach to optimize storage density, with some operations featuring aisles as small as 8–10 feet. Stock chasers excel in these settings, allowing operators to work efficiently in tight quarters that restrict more commonplace material handling equipment.

Ergonomic Design Reduces Worker Fatigue

The upright operator platform helps alleviate the physical strain associated with constant getting on and off with seated vehicles. Integrated ladders give safe access to elevated shelving, eliminating the need for separate ladder fetching and setup. This setup significantly cuts down on the time and effort devoted to above-shoulder picking tasks.

Enhanced Productivity Through Speed and Agility

With travel speeds up to eight miles per hour and superior agility, stock chasers make possible faster order completion compared to manual travel or using awkward alternatives. The compact design enables operators to turn quickly, reducing travel time between pick locations and allowing for more efficient route mapping.

Real-World Applications and Benefits

Improved Order Picking Efficiency

Order picking accounts for the majority of average warehouse man hours and up to 55% of operating costs. Stock chasers address this problem by offering a platform that travels with the picker, reducing the need for repeated trips. Spacious cargo decks provide space for multiple orders or large items while remaining stable in transit.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Equipment

While reach trucks and VNA lift trucks are necessary in high-lift scenarios, stock chasers deliver a budget-friendly approach for floor-level and low-elevation picking operations. Their low purchase price, simple design, and minimal training requirements make them an attractive option for operations wanting faster gains in efficiency.

Integration with Modern Warehouse Operations

Stock chasers complement existing warehouse management systems and can support various picking strategies. Whether you use batch, wave, or zone picking, these vehicles are flexible enough to allow streamlined processes. Their small footprint allows several units to operate simultaneously without the traffic congestion challenges that come with large equipment.

Making the Implementation Decision

When considering stock chasers for your warehouse, think about your current pain points with space, efficiency, and ergonomics. These vehicles are especially valuable for facilities with high-frequency picking operations, multiple SKUs requiring regular access, and tight spaces that prohibit bulkier material handling equipment.

The Motrec stock chasers offered by Raymond West provide proven durability and capability, with payloads from 500–2,000 lbs and the ability to tow up to 12,000 lbs. This flexibility makes them well-suited for more than order picking alone, including carrying parts, service operations, and manufacturing plant support.

Transform Your Warehouse Operations Today

Stock chasers represent more than just another piece of equipment, they're a strategic investment in operational efficiency, worker safety, and bottom-line performance.

Ready to explore how stock chasers can revolutionize your material handling operations? Contact Raymond West today to discuss your specific requirements and discover how Motrec stock chasers can deliver measurable gains for your operational efficiency.

Raymond West's Calexico facility serves Imperial County and Yuma County, Including Calexico, Brawley, El Centro, San Luis, Yuma and surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Calexico Material Handling Equipment Supplier

285 Rood Rd
Calexico, CA 92231
(760) 768-8700