For small and medium-sized warehouses with limited operation scale, low-frequency low-height stacking duties usually refer to scenarios where the daily stacking operation duration is less than 2 hours, the maximum stacking height does not exceed 3 meters, the total daily handling cargo weight is below 2 tons, and the storage aisle is relatively narrow. Many warehouse managers feel confused when choosing suitable stacking equipment, as they are not clear about the actual applicability of manual stackers and electric stackers in such scenarios, and may make improper selection that causes extra unnecessary operation cost.

When it comes to manual stackers, the most prominent advantage for low-frequency low-height stacking scenarios lies in its ultra-low requirement for supporting facilities. It does not need extra charging piles, dedicated charging storage area or complex pre-operation debugging work. Operators can push the equipment to the working area and finish stacking operations after simple familiarization with the operation process. The initial purchase cost of manual stacker is relatively reasonable, and the daily maintenance work only includes regular lubrication of the hydraulic transmission part and surface cleaning. There is no extra expensive maintenance expense in the whole service cycle. For the scenarios that only need to finish periodic inventory goods moving, small batch replenishment stacking, manual stacker can fully meet the daily use demand, and will not cause the problem of performance waste. The only point to note is that operators need to complete the lifting and moving process with manual force, which will bring certain physical burden if the operation time exceeds 1 hour continuously, but this situation rarely happens in low-frequency working scenarios.

As for electric stackers, all the moving and lifting power comes from the onboard power unit, which can greatly reduce the physical consumption of operators, and keep a stable working state during the whole operation process. But for low-frequency use scenarios, the electric stacker also has some non-negligible limitations. Its initial purchase cost is much higher than manual stackers with the same load and stacking height parameters. Users need to arrange special personnel to check the battery status regularly, and reserve dedicated waterproof and heat dissipation charging area in the warehouse. If the electric stacker is left unused for a long time under low frequency working mode, the battery activity will gradually decrease, which will shorten the overall service life of the equipment without proper regular maintenance.

For actual equipment selection, there is no universal standard suitable for all warehouses. Warehouse operators can combine their actual long-term operation budget, existing personnel configuration and future business expansion plan to make the decision. If the stacking demand remains at a low level for a long time, manual stacker is a cost-effective choice to meet basic use needs. If there is a clear plan to expand the warehouse operation scale in the next 1 to 2 years, selecting an entry-level electric stacker can also reserve sufficient performance space for subsequent increased working load. No matter which type of stacking equipment is selected, it is necessary to arrange regular safety inspection for core components, and require all operators to abide by the safe operation specifications to ensure the stable development of daily warehouse work.