Businesses are starting to place more orders for pallet stackers, according to a report from LiftScience, web-based providers of light- to medium-duty electric forklift and manual pallet stackers. That's why the company thought it important to issue a primer for those buyers who are new to the market.

A manual drive electric forklift is the most economical in terms of purchase price and on-going repair and maintenance, LiftScience says. It will enable a typical warehouse employee to move a 2,000 lb (907 Kg) pallet on a smooth warehouse floor. The battery for this kind of light-duty application could last for several days between charging. Because battery power is only used for lifting, power is conserved. Batteries should be recharged regularly, however, to maintain their health for a long life in any electric forklift.

If the user's goal is to handle more than 10 pallets per day, an electric drive forklift may be more appropriate.

On a fork-over design electric pallet stacker, forks lower right on top of the stabilisation legs. This type of electric forklift can be less expensive, take up less space and manouever in tight aisles. However, because the forks are atop the stabilisation legs, the operator cannot pick up a closed-bottom pallet from the floor. This disadvantage can be overcome with either open-bottom pallets/skids or blocks. A typical application for this equipment is unloading trucks.

With a straddle leg electric forklift pallet stacker, forks can be lowered to the floor with the stabilisation legs straddling either side of the pallet. This enables the operator to pick up closed-bottom pallets directly from the floor. The disadvantages are that it is more expensive to purchase/ship and it takes up more space, according to the primer.