In a 3PL logistics warehouse, the dock area determines how fast lorries and containers turn around. Electric forklifts with counterbalance design are the core of the fleet here: strong enough for heavy pallets, compact enough to enter a trailer and clean enough to run inside enclosed storage. This article explains how to choose STILL electric forklifts for each step from receiving to dispatch at a logistics service provider.
Why the dock is the bottleneck in a 3PL warehouse
A 3PL warehouse serving many shippers has a dense, uneven arrival schedule: inbound lorries from factories cluster in the morning, outbound lorries to dealers in the afternoon. Every minute a lorry waits at the ramp is a minute the dock door is blocked. Dock forklifts therefore need quick acceleration, tight manoeuvring inside the trailer and constant availability, including night shifts.
Counterbalance trucks need no front support legs, can drive over dock levellers into trailers and produce no local emissions, so they also work in enclosed storage.
Suitable STILL models for each need
STILL RX 20: the workhorse for multi-shift receiving and dispatch
STILL describes the RX 20 as showing its strengths most clearly in heavy-duty two- or three-shift applications in narrow aisles, including the receipt and dispatch of goods in trade and logistics. The load range of 1.4 to 2 tonnes covers most consumer goods pallets a 3PL warehouse receives. A maximum speed of 20 km/h shortens runs between the dock and the staging area. The STILL Easy Control on-board computer shows safety information at a glance, which helps when the warehouse employs many seasonal drivers.
With a Li-Ion battery, according to the manufacturer, just 30 minutes of charging can extend operation by several hours, so the truck can be opportunity-charged in breaks between lorry waves instead of changing batteries.
STILL RXE 10–16C: compact for lorries and containers
The RXE 10–16C is a compact three-wheel counterbalance forklift that STILL presents for logistics service providers and joint warehouses of large retailers as a helper for loading and unloading lorries or containers. Its capacity of 1.0 to 1.6 tonnes suits cartons and light consumer goods. The standard Curve Speed Control system slows the truck in bends, adding safety in the tight turns between rows of staged pallets.
STILL RX 60: when pallets get heavier
If the warehouse receives industrial goods, beverages or materials, the RX 60 (2.5 to 3.5 tonnes in its smallest version) is the option for replacing diesel trucks in covered areas. STILL states that with lithium-ion technology the truck can run three shifts without a replacement battery.
Selection table: electric forklifts by 3PL process step
| Process step | Suggested type/model | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-shift lorry loading at the dock | STILL RX 20 | 1.4–2 t capacity, strong acceleration, Li-Ion opportunity charging |
| Loading inside containers and narrow trailers | STILL RXE 10–16C | Compact three-wheeler, standard Curve Speed Control |
| Receiving heavy goods: beverages, industrial supplies | STILL RX 60 | Higher capacity, three-shift operation with Li-Ion |
| Satellite stores, returns, low operating hours | STILL RCE 15–20 | Positioned for occasional tasks, side-mounted fast-charging port |
| Narrow aisles, light loads | STILL SXV-CB 10 | Stand-on, small turning radius |
Implementation notes for multi-client warehouses
- Survey trailer and dock door heights: the lowered mast height must clear the container door, especially for trucks working inside the trailer.
- Check the dock leveller surface: the gradient and the gap between leveller and trailer floor affect the choice of tyres and ground clearance.
- Place chargers near the dock: Li-Ion batteries pay off when drivers can plug in during the gap between two lorries.
If you are weighing three-wheel against four-wheel trucks, see 3-wheel vs 4-wheel electric forklift, and compare energy options in Lithium-ion vs lead-acid forklift battery. The full range is in the electric forklifts category; for the industry overview see solutions for 3PL logistics.
Frequently asked questions
Can electric forklifts work inside containers?
Yes, if the mast and truck dimensions are chosen correctly. STILL presents the RXE 10–16C for loading and unloading lorries and containers; measure the container door before finalising the configuration.
Does a three-shift 3PL warehouse need spare batteries?
With lithium-ion batteries and a sensible opportunity-charging plan, a battery change is often unnecessary. STILL states that the RX 60 Li-Ion can run three shifts without a replacement battery. The number and power of chargers should be planned against the actual shift schedule.
Should we buy or rent electric forklifts for a short logistics contract?
The base fleet that runs all year usually suits purchase, while peak or new-contract demand can be covered with forklift rental. Our advisers can help separate the two based on volume data.
Get advice and a quote
For a configuration of the STILL RX 20, STILL RXE 10–16C or STILL RX 60 that fits your dock, send a request via the request a quote page or call our hotline 0902 63 79 70.