Picture this: your warehouse floor is buzzing with activity, but your order pickers are caught in a cycle of inefficiency. Workers walk endless miles through cramped aisles, climb up and down ladders again and again, and struggle with cumbersome equipment that was never designed for current high-density storage settings. Stock chasers offer a focused answer to these operational pain points, transforming how your team navigates, retrieves, and transports materials in space-constrained facilities.

What Exactly Is a Stock Chaser?

A stock chaser is a small, stand-up electric vehicle designed for order picking and material transfer in narrow warehouse aisles. Unlike traditional forklifts that demand a large turning radius and substantial aisle space, these maneuverable workhorses maneuver through spaces as tight as conventional doorways while offering strong payload limits.

Managing Your Operational Challenges

Narrow Aisle Navigation Made Simple

Contemporary warehouses often feature a narrow aisle approach to optimize storage density, with some operations featuring aisles as narrow as 8–10 feet. Stock chasers perform best in these environments, allowing operators to navigate efficiently without the spatial constraints that hinder traditional material handling equipment.

Ergonomic Design Reduces Worker Fatigue

The stand-up operator platform helps alleviate the physical strain caused by constant entering and exiting that seated equipment requires. Built-in ladders provide safe access to high shelving, removing the need for separate ladder fetching and setup. This integrated approach greatly slims down the time and effort required for 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 than foot travel or using awkward alternatives. The compact design allows operators to turn quickly, cutting travel time between pick locations and enabling more efficient route mapping.

Real-World Applications and Benefits

Improved Order Picking Efficiency

Order picking comprises over 50% of average warehouse labor hours and nearly 55% of operating costs. Stock chasers target this challenge by offering a platform that moves with the operator, reducing the need for repeated trips. Large cargo decks offer room for numerous orders or bulk goods while maintaining stability in transit.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Equipment

While reach trucks and VNA forklifts have key uses in high-lift tasks, stock chasers deliver a cost-effective solution for floor-level and low-elevation picking activities. Their low purchase price, simple design, and minimal operator training make them an attractive option for businesses seeking a quick productivity boost.

Integration with Modern Warehouse Operations

Stock chasers fit into existing warehouse management systems and can be integrated into various picking systems. Whether your operation uses zone picking, batch picking, or wave picking strategies, these vehicles adapt to enable efficient workflow patterns. Their compact size allows multiple units to operate simultaneously without the traffic congestion issues that come with large equipment.

Making the Implementation Decision

When choosing stock chasers for your operation, factor in your current issues with space, efficiency, and ergonomics. These vehicles should be considered by facilities with lots of picking activity, multiple SKUs requiring frequent access, and tight spaces that rule out larger pieces of equipment.

Motrec stock chasers offered by Raymond West provide proven durability and capability, with capabilities ranging from 500 to 2,000 pounds payload capacity and towing capabilities up to 12,000 pounds. This versatility makes them well-suited for various applications beyond basic order picking, including parts transport, service tasks, and light manufacturing support.

Transform Your Warehouse Operations Today

Stock chasers go beyond standard 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 go over your needs and see how Motrec stock chasers can deliver measurable improvements to your operational efficiency.

Raymond West's Oxnard / Ventura service area includes Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Ventura, Santa Paula, Westlake Village, Simi Valley and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Oxnard Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Ventura County, CA
(805) 667-0888