Forklifts

By Dylan Mazeika

A stacker forklift is also called a walkie stacker forklift. It's normally electrically powered and provides an economical solution for transferring and stacking heavy materials, as well as loading and unloading trailers, over a short distance.

Top stacker forklift features

When evaluating models, there are a number of height and weight considerations to take into account. But many of these walkies are also popular in warehouse settings. And that demands a high degree of maneuverability - as well as a slim-line design.

With those considerations in mind, here are two of the most popular options, and the features that make them well suited to tight spots:

Nissan WCN Counterbalance Walkie Stacker: This Nissan stacker forklift is available at either a 3,000 pound or 4,000 pound capacity. It's equipped with a 12- or 24-V electrical system and features a 105" max fork height and an option for a 30", 36", or 42" fork length.

Additional features include:

• Heavy-duty motor
• Fingertip controls with reversing switch in handle
• Curtis 701 solid state LCD hour meter
• Key switch for added safety

Nissan WSN Straddle Walkie Stacker: Nissan straddle stackers are available in either a 3,000 pound or 4,000 pound capacity with 12- or 24-V electrical systems and, like the WCN series, features a 105" max fork height and an option for a 30", 36", or 42" fork length. But the straddle stacker is different from the counterbalance stacker since it is compact enough to fit into narrow aisles and tight spaces, easily carrying heavy materials over short distances.

As a result of this design, its narrow-aisle performance is achieved through additional features that include:

• Fixed base legs - 34" to 50" (order in 1" increments)
• Carriage that 31" wide
• Load backrest that measures 48" x 32.6"
• Oil filter in hydraulic system
• Heavy-duty motor
• Curtis PMC 1205 transistor travel controller
• Fingertip controls with reversing switch in handle

Estimated costs

Most stacker forklifts cost between $4,000 and $7,000, with a wide number of machines currently available through national dealers in the $5,400 to $6,800 range (depending on fork height).