Here’s a mental picture: your warehouse operation is bustling with activity, yet your order pickers are trapped in a cycle of inefficiency. Employees walk long miles through narrow aisles, climb ladders repeatedly, and fight with awkward equipment that simply wasn't designed for today's high-density storage settings. Stock chasers offer a focused answer to these pain points, revolutionizing how your team navigates, picks, and transports materials in space-constrained facilities.

What Exactly Is a Stock Chaser?

A stock chaser is a compact, stand-on electric vehicle specifically engineered for order picking and material movement in narrow aisles. In contrast to traditional forklifts that need wide turning radii and substantial aisle space, these agile workhorses navigate through spaces as tight as standard doorways while offering impressive payload capacities.

Managing Your Operational Challenges

Narrow Aisle Navigation Made Simple

Contemporary warehouses typically use a narrow aisle approach to maximize storage density, with some facilities featuring aisles as tight as 8–10 feet. Stock chasers perform best in these environments, allowing operators to move easily without the space limitations that hinder traditional material handling equipment.

Ergonomic Design Reduces Worker Fatigue

The stand-up operator platform reduces the physical strain involved in constant getting on and off with seated vehicles. Integrated ladders offer safe access to elevated shelving, removing the need for additional ladder fetching and setup. This all-in-one design dramatically reduces the time and effort devoted to above-shoulder picking tasks.

Enhanced Productivity Through Speed and Agility

With travel speeds up to 8 mph and superior agility, stock chasers make possible faster order completion compared to manual travel or using cumbersome alternatives. The compact design enables operators to turn quickly, reducing travel time between pick locations and allowing for more efficient route optimization.

Real-World Applications and Benefits

Improved Order Picking Efficiency

Order picking comprises over 50% of typical warehouse labor hours and up to 55% of operating costs. Stock chasers target this challenge by providing a platform that accompanies the picker, removing unnecessary walking. Ample cargo decks give room for numerous orders or bulk goods while remaining stable during transport.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Equipment

While reach trucks and narrow aisle forklifts have key uses in high-lift applications, stock chasers provide a lower-cost answer for ground-level and low-level picking activities. Their lower acquisition cost, simple design, and minimal operator training make them an appealing solution for facilities seeking a quick productivity boost.

Integration with Modern Warehouse Operations

Stock chasers complement existing warehouse management systems and can support various picking methodologies. Whether your operation uses zone picking, batch picking, or wave picking strategies, these vehicles adapt to allow streamlined processes. Their small footprint allows several units to work together at once without the traffic congestion problems that come with large equipment.

Making the Implementation Decision

When evaluating stock chasers for your operation, consider your existing issues with order picking efficiency, aisle width constraints, and worker ergonomics. These vehicles are especially valuable for facilities with high-frequency picking operations, multiple SKUs requiring frequent access, and tight spaces that prevent the use of bulkier material handling equipment.

The Motrec stock chasers offered by Raymond West feature proven performance and reliability, with capabilities ranging from 500 to 2,000 pounds payload capacity and towing capabilities up to 12,000 pounds. This range of options makes them ideal for more than order picking alone, including carrying parts, maintenance work, and light manufacturing support.

Transform Your Warehouse Operations Today

Stock chasers are more than a simple warehouse tool, they're a strategic investment in operational efficiency, worker safety, and bottom-line performance.

Curious about the impact of stock chasers on your workflow? Contact Raymond West today to discuss your specific requirements and discover how Motrec stock chasers can provide measurable gains for your operational efficiency.

Raymond West's Fresno facility serves much of the Central Valley, including Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Tulare, Lindsay, Hanford, Lemoore, Los Banos, Santa Nella, Dos Palos, Firebaugh, Kettleman City, Coalinga, Avenal, Mendota, Kerman, San Joaquin, and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Fresno Material Handling Equipment Supplier

2935 S Elm Ave #101
Fresno, CA 93706
(559) 264-7500