Envision this: your warehouse floor is humming with activity, yet your order pickers are trapped in a cycle of inefficiency. Workers trudge endless miles through tight aisles, climb up and down ladders again and again, and struggle with bulky equipment that wasn’t even designed for today's high-density storage settings. Stock chasers deliver a targeted solution to these operational pain points, transforming how your team moves through, selects, and carries materials in limited-space facilities.

What Exactly Is a Stock Chaser?

A stock chaser is a compact, stand-up electric vehicle specifically engineered for order picking and material transport in tight warehouse aisles. Unlike traditional forklifts that require a large turning radius and substantial aisle space, these nimble vehicles move through spaces as tight as ordinary doorways while maintaining strong payload capabilities.

Tackling Your Operational Challenges

Narrow Aisle Navigation Made Simple

Current warehouses typically use narrow aisle designs to optimize storage density, with some operations featuring aisles as narrow as 8–10 feet. Stock chasers perform best in these settings, allowing operators to work efficiently in tight quarters that hinder traditional material handling equipment.

Ergonomic Design Reduces Worker Fatigue

The upright operator platform lessens the physical strain involved in constant entering and exiting that seated equipment requires. Integrated ladders provide safe access to elevated shelving, get rid of the need for additional ladder fetching and setup. This all-in-one design 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 8 mph and excellent turning capability, stock chasers make possible faster order completion relative to manual travel or using cumbersome alternatives. The compact design enables operators to turn in tight quarters, minimizing travel time between pick locations and enabling more efficient route mapping.

Real-World Applications and Benefits

Improved Order Picking Efficiency

Order picking represents the majority of average warehouse man hours and almost 55% of operating costs. Stock chasers target this challenge by providing a platform that accompanies the picker, reducing the need for repeated trips. Spacious cargo decks provide room for multiple orders or bulk goods while maintaining stability in transit.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Equipment

While reach trucks and very narrow aisle lift trucks have key uses in high-lift applications, stock chasers provide a cost-effective solution for ground-level and low-elevation 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 fit into existing warehouse management systems and can fit into various picking strategies. Whether your operation uses zone picking, batch picking, or wave picking strategies, these vehicles adjust to support optimized picking flows. Their compact size allows several units to operate simultaneously without the traffic congestion problems common with larger equipment.

Making the Implementation Decision

When considering stock chasers for your business, factor in your current pain points with space, efficiency, and ergonomics. These vehicles should be considered by facilities with high-frequency picking operations, multiple SKUs requiring regular access, and space limitations that prohibit bulkier pieces of equipment.

Motrec stock chasers available through Raymond West offer proven reliability and performance, with payloads from 500–2,000 lbs and the ability to tow up to 12,000 lbs. This flexibility makes them suitable for various applications beyond basic order picking, including carrying parts, maintenance work, and manufacturing plant support.

Transform Your Warehouse Operations Today

Stock chasers are more than a simple warehouse tool, they're a key asset for efficiency, safety, and your bottom line.

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 deliver measurable improvements to your operational efficiency.

Raymond West's Orange County service area includes Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Orange County Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Orange County, CA
(714) 790-9300