Envision this: your warehouse operation is humming with activity, but your order pickers are trapped in a frustrating dance of inefficiency. Team members walk long miles through tight aisles, climb ladders repeatedly, and struggle with bulky equipment that wasn’t even designed for modern high-density storage settings. Stock chasers deliver a focused answer to these operational pain points, overhauling how your team navigates, retrieves, and carries materials in space-constrained facilities.

What Exactly Is a Stock Chaser?

A stock chaser is a small, stand-on electric vehicle built for order picking and material transfer in narrow aisles. Different from traditional forklifts that demand a wide turning circle and substantial aisle space, these maneuverable vehicles move through spaces as tight as conventional doorways while offering substantial payload capacities.

Addressing Your Operational Issues

Narrow Aisle Navigation Made Simple

Current warehouses increasingly adopt narrow aisle designs to maximize storage density, with some operations featuring aisles as tight as 8–10 feet. Stock chasers excel in these settings, allowing operators to navigate efficiently without the spatial constraints that restrict more commonplace material handling equipment.

Ergonomic Design Reduces Worker Fatigue

The upright operator platform lessens the physical strain caused by constant entering and exiting with sit-down equipment. Integrated ladders give safe access to high shelving, get rid of the need for separate ladder retrieval and setup. This setup greatly cuts down on the time and effort spent on above-shoulder picking tasks.

Enhanced Productivity Through Speed and Agility

With travel speeds up to eight miles per hour and superior agility, stock chasers allow for faster order completion than foot travel or using cumbersome alternatives. The small footprint allows operators to turn on a dime, cutting travel time between pick locations and allowing for more efficient route mapping.

Real-World Applications and Benefits

Improved Order Picking Efficiency

Order picking represents more than half of average warehouse labor hours and up to 55% of operating expenses. Stock chasers address this challenge by supplying a platform that moves with the operator, eliminating repeated trips between storage locations and staging areas. Large cargo decks offer room for multiple orders or large items while remaining stable in transit.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Equipment

While reach trucks and very narrow aisle lift trucks are necessary in high-lift scenarios, stock chasers provide a cost-effective solution for floor-level and low-level picking operations. Their low purchase price, reduced maintenance requirements due to simpler systems, and minimal training needs make them an attractive option for businesses seeking immediate productivity improvements.

Integration with Modern Warehouse Operations

Stock chasers work with existing warehouse management systems and can be integrated into various picking strategies. Whether your operation uses zone picking, batch picking, or wave picking strategies, these vehicles are flexible enough to allow optimized picking flows. Their small footprint allows several units to run in parallel without the traffic congestion problems that come with large equipment.

Making the Implementation Decision

When choosing stock chasers for your operation, think about your existing challenges with order picking efficiency, aisle width constraints, and worker ergonomics. These vehicles should be considered by facilities with high-frequency picking operations, multiple SKUs requiring regular access, and tight spaces that rule out larger pieces of equipment.

The Motrec stock chasers offered by Raymond West feature proven durability and capability, with payloads from 500–2,000 lbs and the ability to tow up to 12,000 lbs. This range of options makes them ideal for various applications beyond basic order picking, including carrying parts, maintenance tasks, and light manufacturing support.

Transform Your Warehouse Operations Today

Stock chasers represent more than just another piece of equipment, they're a smart investment in productivity, safety, and profitability.

Discover how stock chasers could change your warehouse operation. Contact Raymond West today to go over your needs and see how Motrec stock chasers can provide measurable improvements to your warehouse efficiency.

Raymond West's Los Angeles facility serves much of Los Angeles County, including Cypress, Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, La Mirada, Downey, Pico Rivera, Los Angeles, Montebello, El Monte, Rosemead, Alhambra, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Westmont, Gardena, Torrance, Carson, San Pedro, La Habra, City of Industry, Walnut, Inglewood, Hawthorne and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Los Angeles Material Handling Equipment Supplier

5560 Katella Ave
Cypress, CA 90630
(562) 944-8067