Electric Pallet Stacker: Lifting Huge Loads

The creation of the electric pallet stacker has made work easier for hundreds of thousands of industrial workers around the globe. It has proven to be one of the most useful equipment in lifting and transporting huge loads with overwhelming weights and sizes. Find out more about how the machinery works and how to stay safe during operation.

What is an Electric Pallet Stacker?

An electric pallet stacker is a large type of machinery that handles bulk material operations. It generally functions to stack bulk materials like machinery parts, ores or textiles stored in pallets onto a pile. A reclaimer functions to recover stacked goods. Stackers are rated in tonnes per hour or tph which is its maximum operating capacity.

Movement and Stacking

A rail placed between stockpiles in the plant or stockyard is used to guide the stacker’s path as it moves and creates more piles. An electric stacker can move horizontally along the placed rail or vertically by luffing its boom. Dust accumulation is minimized by luffing the boom since the height is well-adjusted just enough for the load to be placed on top of the stockpile.

As the stockpile increases its height, the boom is also luffed upward to reach the top. The boom may also be slewed by some stackers which causes a rotating movement. The result would be two stockpiles created on both sides of the conveyer by a single electric pallet stacker.

Stockpile Styles

Electric pallet stackers are also able to stack a variety of patterns depending on the requirements of the plant or warehouse. Cone stacking is reminiscent to a triangle causing size segregation wherein coarser materials move out and form a wide base. Additional cones can be added to the first which is also referred to as raw cone ply stacking. Chevron stacking is more common wherein the stacker moves along the entire stockpile length adding one layer at a time repeating the process until all pallets are set or maximum height has been reached.

Electric Mechanism

Traditional pallet stackers and reclaimers used to be operated manually. Modern versions are now powered by electricity through a trailing cable. The engine also may be powered by a combination of gasoline and an electric battery.

Typical electric pallet stackers today are semi-automatic or fully automated with remotely set parameters. The central control system is also linked to the programmable logic controller or PLC with human-machine interface or HMI for display which makes work and operations a lot easier not to mention a remote control.

Stacker Operation

Electric pallet stacker operators are required to undergo training and certification before they are allowed to legally work in plants and factories. Normally, stackers can lift loads of around 3,000 to 5,000 pounds. Overloading can be very dangerous so all persons should be aware of the maximum limits and alerted for lifting, moving and stacking procedures. Typical stackers can also lift loads up to an estimated 122 inches. The time, momentum and stability of the load are very important to consider during operation to maintain product and personnel safety.