Comparing the Best Order Picker & LLOP Products on the Market

The Unique Role of Order Pickers and LLOP Products

Order pickers are fundamentally different from other forklifts. They are designed to fulfil and ‘pick’ individual customer orders rather than move full pallets. The conventional forklift truck is ideal for warehouse processes, receiving goods from the factory in bulk. The order picker sits at the other end, retrieving individual boxes and components from storage racks, ready for packaging and shipping.

Although mainly used for picking stock, they suit all types of light-duty applications such as horizontal transport, loading & unloading and replenishing inventory. They are very manoeuvrable and able to carry pallets over a long distance, making them as versatile as they are.

What is a Low-Level (LLOP) Order Picker?

A LLOP, or Low-Level Order Picker, is a type of material handling equipment used to pick items from shelves. It is a battery-powered forklift that has a platform that can raise and lower the operator. LLOPs are commonly used in warehouses and distribution centres that store their pick products on lower shelves and bulk products on higher. They are designed to assist the operator when picking stock from ground level, often reaching up to 180 inches only, warehouse higher-order pickers can reach up to 550 inches.

In general, the process of order picking is still predominantly manual, contrasting with other warehouse operations that have gradually become more automated. The speed of picking is primarily determined by the truck operator. If the operator experiences less strain and the routes are short, it results in time and energy savings. This is the reason why TAWI has designed order-picking tools that enable a single person to do the work of two, without requiring superhuman strength as it intertwines mechanical and manual lifting to create a semi-mechanical solution.

Want to learn more about Warehouse Order Pickers? Read our guide.

There are many available LLOP and order picking solutions on the market – let’s review some of these before reaching our own.

Linde Material Handling: Order Picker

Linde provides a diverse selection of order pickers, each with different lifting and reaching capabilities. The key features of Linde’s pickers, which focus on safety, ergonomics, handling and service, were also considered by TAWI during the development of our order picker.

Whilst Linde’s three-brake system, sturdy steel bumper, LED lights and operational Linde BlueSpot™ all contribute to safety and features such as low access height, adjustable steering wheel, and spring-loaded platform enhance ergonomics, it still primarily identifies itself as a “forklift” on its website. This is common within order-picking solutions. But despite the fact the solution is presented as a safer, more ergonomic option that boosts overall material flow, time efficiencies have not been made unless the task involves moving an entire pallet. Such repetitive actions, particularly with heavier items, can cause muscular strain on employees and potentially lead to injuries. This brings into question Linde’s claim of being an ergonomic and safer order picker, and it might be more accurately described as an ergonomic and safer forklift.

STILL: OPX Series

Known for innovative design and quality, STILL order pickers cater to all sized companies and claim to maximise the comfort and productivity of operators. With similar features to Linde, such as adjustable steering and control console workers can customise the vehicle to their preferred working position. A further feature of STILL’s products is its energy-efficient motors, helping reduce operating costs whilst retaining optimum performance.

But once again, despite the effort to make the operating experience of their order lifters as comfortable as possible for drivers, there seems to be less importance put on the actual handling of parcels and goods. Order pickers are required to pick individual packages, not just pallets, meaning that manual handling, where injuries and accidents can occur to employees, is still required which poses a risk to the health & safety of employees and is time-consuming. This is where TAWI differentiates its offerings.

TAWI

Our Mobile Order Picker introduces a unique perspective to the process of order picking. Given that most warehouses and other logistics sector stages already employ forklifts in their daily operations, it’s worth questioning the need to invest in a product with similar features. Our fully mobile lifter, which is compatible with any forklift or LLOP, enables goods to be picked up with a vacuum lifter instead of manually, reducing physical strain on workers by up to 80%.

The TAWI Mobile Order Picker comes equipped with a vacuum lifter that’s mounted on an articulating jib arm. Depending on the required lifting capacity, various models of vacuum lifters can be used, and the jib arm can handle loads of up to 80 kilos. The articulating arm provides a wide range of motion with a 4-meter diameter working area. The unit’s height adjustment, which is electronically driven, allows it to easily adapt to different lifting heights and height limitations, allowing you to reach into the pack of pallets. This lifting aid can be adjusted to meet your requirements, ensuring a safe and efficient workflow for both operators and goods.

Our lifter has different tool operations to match the material you are lifting. Why is this important? Goods get damaged quite frequently during the supply chain journey. An estimated 11% of all goods arrive at distribution centres already damaged (Packaging Digest), this can be costly. Our changeable suction tools mean that you can tailor tools to the materials of your packages, whether it be paper, plastic or jute.

The Easy Reach tool on the TAWI Mobile Order Picker enhances efficiency in order picking and storage utilisation. The Easy Reach tool extends fully into pallet racks, allowing the operator to lift without exerting physical effort. Thanks to the tool’s weight distribution, the operator can comfortably stand in the aisle whilst lifting a box from the back end of a pallet. There’s no need to bend to reach into the rack or lift in an uncomfortable position, eliminating the risk of injury or unnecessary strain on the worker.

See our solution in action.

With the Easy Reach tool, goods stacked closely to the shelf above can be easily picked, optimising the utilisation of storage space. There’s no longer a need to store bulky, heavy goods outside of pallet racks.

If you are interested in a truly unique order picker that allows you to make the most of the machinery you have already invested in, speak to our team who will be happy to help.