Not every food business is a large plant with high-bay storage. Confectionery workshops, fish sauce producers, coffee roasters, local bottled water plants and beverage dealer depots often have small floor areas, low ceilings and moderate volumes. At this scale, a stacker truck for a food plant often does the job and is far more compact than a counterbalance truck.
Which tasks suit a stacker in a food plant?
A stacker is a pedestrian or ride-on platform truck with a mast for placing pallets in low and medium racking. Without a large counterweight at the back, the chassis is short and turns easily in narrow aisles. In food businesses, stackers typically handle:
- Packaging and supplies stores: empty bottles, caps, labels, flat cartons and shrink film, usually light but bulky.
- Dry raw material stores: sacks of sugar, flour and spices on two- or three-level racking.
- Line-side staging: placing pallets of ingredients and packaging next to fillers and packing machines.
- Small finished goods stores: putting pallets on low racking and retrieving them for orders.
- Dealers and distributors: unloading trucks into the store and onto racking.
Principles, types and selection are covered in what is a stacker truck.
STILL models by need
STILL ECV 10: light, occasional stacking
The STILL ECV 10 has a maximum capacity of 1,000 kg and lifts up to 3,227 mm. STILL describes it as ideal for stacking light goods occasionally. Two 12 V batteries with an integrated charger allow charging at any standard socket, which suits plants without a dedicated charging room. Travel speed is reduced automatically with lift height. It is a sensible choice for packaging stores where pallets are light.
STILL EXV 14-20: daily work with heavier pallets
When the raw material store handles pallets of sugar or crates of drinks, the STILL EXV 14-20 lifts up to 2,000 kg. Its long tiller with OptiSpeed keeps a safe distance between the operator’s feet and the truck and adapts speed to the tiller angle; Curve Speed Control slows the truck in bends. The tiller display shows how much of the maximum capacity is on the forks, helping avoid overloads when stacking.
STILL EXD 18C-20C: unloading trucks two pallets at a time
Beverage dealers and distribution depots unload trucks constantly. The STILL EXD 18C-20C is a double stacker: it carries up to 1,000 kg on the support arms plus 800 to 1,000 kg on the forks, so two pallets per trip. A slim body and small turning radius suit tight stores.
STILL EXV-SF 14-20: longer distances
Where the store is far from the line, the STILL EXV-SF 14-20 offers a pneumatically cushioned platform, a top speed of 10 km/h and pallets up to 2,000 kg. According to STILL, the platform reduces vibration on the driver’s body by up to 28%.
Stacker selection table
| Stage | Type/model | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and light supplies store | STILL ECV 10 | 1,000 kg, charges at a standard socket |
| Raw materials, two- or three-level racking | STILL EXV 14-20 | 2,000 kg, OptiSpeed, load display |
| Unloading trucks at a dealer | STILL EXD 18C-20C | Two pallets per trip, small turning radius |
| Feeding a line far from the store | STILL EXV-SF 14-20 | Cushioned platform, 10 km/h |
The full range is in the stackers category.
Things to consider in food plants
- Floors and ramps: stackers have small wheels and need flat floors. Drainage channels, cold store door sills and container ramps should be checked first.
- Low racking, matched loads: without a large counterweight, capacity drops at height. Always check the load chart, as described in how to choose forklift capacity.
- Operators: pedestrian stackers are often used by warehouse staff with other duties; training and clear access rights are needed.
The food & beverage forklift solutions page lists truck types for other stages.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stacker replace a counterbalance truck in a small plant?
In stores with flat floors, low racking and no outdoor unloading, a stacker can do most of the work with narrower aisles. For yard work or lifting heavy pallets high, a counterbalance truck is still needed.
Which stacker suits a plant without a charging room?
The ECV 10 has an integrated charger for standard sockets. Some other models offer integrated charging as an option; check the specific configuration.
Should a beverage dealer choose a double stacker?
If the main job is unloading trucks and moving pallets into the store, the EXD 18C-20C carries two pallets at once and cuts the number of trips.
Which stacker fits your plant? Call 0902 63 79 70 or send pallet and rack height details via the quote page.