Picture this: your warehouse floor is buzzing with activity, but your order pickers are caught in a cycle of inefficiency. Employees move endless miles through tight aisles, are forced to climb ladders over and over, and fight with bulky equipment that wasn’t even designed for today's high-density storage settings. Stock chasers offer a focused answer to these pain points, transforming how your team gets around, picks, and moves materials in tight-space facilities.

Exaclty What Is a Stock Chaser?

A stock chaser is a small, stand-on electric vehicle specifically engineered for order picking and material movement in tight warehouse aisles. In contrast to traditional forklifts that demand a large turning radius and substantial aisle space, these nimble machines maneuver through spaces as tight as conventional doorways while offering substantial payload limits.

Addressing Your Operational Challenges

Narrow Aisle Navigation Made Simple

Contemporary warehouses typically use a narrow aisle approach to maximize storage density, with some operations featuring aisles as narrow as 8–10 feet. Stock chasers perform best in these environments, enabling operators to navigate efficiently without the spatial constraints that restrict typical material handling equipment.

Ergonomic Design Reduces Worker Fatigue

The standing operator platform helps alleviate the physical strain caused by constant entering and exiting with seated vehicles. Built-in ladders provide safe access to elevated shelving, removing the need for additional ladder retrieval and setup. This all-in-one design dramatically 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 allow for faster order completion than foot travel or using awkward alternatives. The small footprint enables operators to turn quickly, minimizing travel time between pick locations and allowing for more efficient route mapping.

Real-World Applications and Benefits

Improved Order Picking Efficiency

Order picking represents over 50% of typical warehouse labor hours and almost 55% of operating expenses. Stock chasers target this challenge by offering a platform that travels with the picker, removing unnecessary walking. Large cargo decks provide room for numerous orders or bulk goods while maintaining stability in transit.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Equipment

While reach trucks and narrow aisle lift trucks serve important functions in high-lift tasks, stock chasers offer a budget-friendly approach for ground-level and low-elevation picking activities. Their lower acquisition cost, reduced maintenance requirements due to simpler systems, and minimal operator training make them an appealing solution for businesses looking for faster gains in efficiency.

Integration with Modern Warehouse Operations

Stock chasers complement existing warehouse management systems and can fit into various picking strategies. Whether you use batch, wave, or zone picking, these vehicles adjust to support efficient workflow patterns. Their small footprint allows multiple units to operate simultaneously without the traffic congestion issues common with larger equipment.

Making the Implementation Decision

When choosing stock chasers for your operation, consider your current issues with order picking efficiency, aisle width constraints, and worker ergonomics. These vehicles are especially valuable for facilities with many picking cycles, multiple SKUs requiring regular access, and space limitations that prevent the use of bulkier material handling equipment.

The Motrec stock chasers available through Raymond West offer proven durability and capability, with payloads from 500–2,000 lbs and the ability to tow up to 12,000 lbs. This flexibility makes them well-suited for more than order picking alone, including parts transport, service tasks, and light manufacturing applications.

Transform Your Warehouse Operations Today

Stock chasers represent more than just another piece of equipment, they're a key asset for efficiency, safety, and your bottom line.

Curious about the impact of stock chasers on your workflow? Contact Raymond West today to go over your needs and see how Motrec stock chasers can deliver measurable boosts in your operational efficiency.

Raymond West's Tucson facility serves Pima County, including Tucson, South Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita and surrounding areas

Raymond West | Tucson Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Tucson Service Area
(520) 729-4222