Picture this: your warehouse floor is humming with activity, yet your order pickers are trapped in a cycle of inefficiency. Workers trudge endless miles through cramped aisles, are forced to climb ladders over and over, and fight with cumbersome equipment that was never designed for current high-density storage settings. Stock chasers deliver a focused answer to these pain points, overhauling how your team gets around, selects, and transports materials in tight-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 movement in narrow warehouse aisles. Different from traditional forklifts that demand a wide turning circle and substantial aisle space, these nimble machines navigate through spaces as tight as conventional doorways while delivering strong payload limits.

Tackling Your Operational Issues

Narrow Aisle Navigation Made Simple

Current warehouses typically use narrow aisle designs to maximize storage density, with some facilities featuring aisles as tight as 8–10 feet. Stock chasers perform best in these settings, allowing operators to navigate efficiently without the spatial constraints that restrict typical material handling equipment.

Ergonomic Design Reduces Worker Fatigue

The standing operator platform reduces the physical strain caused by constant getting on and off with seated vehicles. Optional ladders provide safe access to high shelving, get rid of the need for separate ladder retrieval and setup. This setup significantly slims down the time and effort devoted to above-shoulder picking tasks.

Enhanced Productivity Through Speed and Agility

With travel speeds up to eight mph and superior agility, stock chasers make possible faster order completion than foot travel or using cumbersome alternatives. The compact design allows operators to turn in tight quarters, reducing travel time between pick locations and enabling more efficient route optimization.

Real-World Applications and Benefits

Improved Order Picking Efficiency

Order picking accounts for over 50% of average warehouse labor hours and nearly 55% of operating expenses. Stock chasers target this problem by providing a platform that moves with the operator, removing unnecessary walking. Large cargo decks offer space for multiple orders or bulk goods while maintaining stability during transport.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Equipment

While reach trucks and VNA lift trucks have key uses in high-lift scenarios, stock chasers provide a cost-effective solution for ground-level and low-level picking activities. Their lower acquisition cost, reduced maintenance requirements due to simpler systems, and minimal training needs make them an appealing solution for businesses seeking immediate productivity improvements.

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 adjust to allow streamlined processes. Their compact size allows multiple units to run in parallel without the traffic congestion problems common with larger equipment.

Making the Implementation Decision

When choosing stock chasers for your warehouse, think about your current issues with space, efficiency, and ergonomics. These vehicles particularly benefit facilities with many picking cycles, multiple SKUs requiring frequent access, and tight spaces that prevent the use of bulkier material handling equipment.

The Motrec stock chasers available through Raymond West offer proven durability and capability, with payload and towing ranges for almost any warehouse task. This range of options makes them suitable for diverse jobs that go beyond picking, including carrying parts, service operations, and manufacturing plant 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.

Discover how stock chasers could change your warehouse operation. Contact Raymond West today to review your needs and find out how Motrec stock chasers can bring measurable boosts in your warehouse efficiency.

Raymond West's Sacramento facility serves the greater Sacramento area and other parts of Northern California, including Sacramento, Elk Grove, Auburn, Placerville, Vacaville, Fairfield, Sausalito, Napa, Santa Rosa, Redding, Eureka and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Sacramento Material Handling Equipment Supplier

900 National Dr
Sacramento, CA 95834
(800) 675-2500