Picture this: your warehouse operation is buzzing with activity, but your order pickers are stuck in a frustrating dance of inefficiency. Employees trudge seemingly endless miles through cramped aisles, climb ladders repeatedly, and struggle with awkward equipment that wasn’t even designed for today's high-density storage facilities. Stock chasers offer a targeted solution to these operational challenges, overhauling how your team moves through, picks, and carries materials in tight-space facilities.

Exaclty What Is a Stock Chaser?

A stock chaser is a small, stand-up electric vehicle designed for order picking and material transport in narrow aisles. In contrast to traditional forklifts that need a large turning radius and substantial aisle space, these agile workhorses move through spaces as tight as standard doorways while offering impressive payload capacities.

Tackling Your Operational Issues

Narrow Aisle Navigation Made Simple

Modern 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 environments, enabling operators to navigate efficiently without the spatial constraints that hinder typical material handling equipment.

Ergonomic Design Reduces Worker Fatigue

The upright operator platform reduces the physical strain caused by constant getting on and off with sit-down equipment. Built-in ladders provide safe access to elevated shelving, removing the need for separate ladder fetching and setup. This integrated approach greatly reduces the time and effort required for 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 compared to foot travel or using bulky alternatives. The small footprint allows operators to turn in tight quarters, minimizing travel time between pick locations and allowing for more efficient route mapping.

Real-World Applications and Benefits

Improved Order Picking Efficiency

Order picking accounts for over 50% of typical warehouse man hours and nearly 55% of operating expenses. Stock chasers tackle this problem by providing a platform that accompanies the picker, removing unnecessary walking. Large cargo decks offer room for multiple 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 applications, stock chasers offer a lower-cost answer for ground-level and low-level picking activities. Their lower acquisition cost, reduced maintenance requirements due to simpler systems, and minimal operator training make them an appealing solution for operations wanting faster gains in efficiency.

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 are flexible enough to enable optimized picking flows. Their small footprint allows multiple units to operate simultaneously without the traffic congestion issues typical of larger machines.

Making the Implementation Decision

When evaluating stock chasers for your operation, consider your existing issues with space, efficiency, and ergonomics. These vehicles particularly benefit facilities with high-frequency picking operations, multiple SKUs requiring regular access, and space limitations that prohibit larger material handling equipment.

Motrec stock chasers offered by 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 versatility makes them well-suited for more than order picking alone, including carrying parts, service tasks, and light manufacturing support.

Transform Your Warehouse Operations Today

Stock chasers go beyond standard equipment, they're a smart investment in productivity, safety, and profitability.

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 deliver measurable boosts in your warehouse efficiency.

Raymond West's Spokane branch services Spokane, Airway Heights, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Coeur d'Alene, Medical Lake, Cheney, Pullman, Moscow, Moses Lake, Yakima, Wenatchee, Lewiston, Clarkston, Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Walla Walla and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Spokane Material Handling Equipment Supplier

11002 E Montgomery Dr #100
Spokane, WA 99206
(509) 728-6000