Discover 8 types of lifts for material handling in warehouses. Learn how each lift improves efficiency, safety, and storage operations.
Warehouses are busy places where goods are moved, stored, and organized every single day. Whether it’s a small shop or a massive distribution center, one thing is always needed—efficient and safe material handling. That’s where lifting equipment comes in. These machines help you move heavy loads, stack pallets, and reach high shelves without breaking a sweat or risking injury.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through 8 types of lifts for material handling in warehouses. We’ll explain what they do, how they help, and where you can use them. If you’re looking to upgrade your warehouse or rent lifting equipment, Jugnoo Transport is here with quality machines and expert support to keep your operations running smoothly.
1. Forklifts
Forklifts are the most common and powerful lifting machines used in warehouses. If you’ve ever seen a warehouse, chances are you’ve seen a forklift in action.
What Forklifts Do
Forklifts lift and transport heavy pallets and containers over short distances. They’re perfect for loading trucks, organizing shelves, and carrying large goods quickly and safely.
Why Forklifts Are Useful
- Can lift very heavy loads
- Easy to drive and control
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Available in electric, diesel, and LPG options
Where to Use Them
Forklifts are great for warehouses, docks, storage yards, and factories. They come in different sizes, so you can choose one based on your space and load size.
At Jugnoo Transport, we offer reliable forklifts for rent or sale, with full maintenance support to keep your work moving.
2. Pallet Jacks (Manual and Electric)
Pallet Jacks (Manual and Electric) are simple yet essential tools in every warehouse. They’re designed to move pallets on flat surfaces without much effort.
Manual Pallet Jacks
These are hand-powered. You pump the handle to raise the forks and pull or push the load. They’re ideal for short distances and small loads.
Electric Pallet Jacks
These are battery-powered, so they reduce physical strain. Operators can lift and move pallets with the push of a button.
Why They’re Essential
- Easy to use with little training
- Perfect for tight spaces
- Affordable and low-maintenance
- Available in both manual and electric models
Where to Use Them
Pallet Jacks (Manual and Electric) are perfect for supermarkets, small warehouses, and delivery trucks.
Jugnoo Transport has a full range of pallet jacks (manual and electric) to help you handle everyday warehouse tasks with ease and speed.
3. Stackers (Manual, Semi-Electric, and Electric)
Stackers are like a step up from pallet jacks. They not only move loads but also lift them to higher shelves.
Manual Stackers
These require the operator to pump the handle to lift the load. Best for lighter loads and low heights.
Semi-Electric Stackers
These lift loads electrically but still require manual pushing.
Electric Stackers
Fully powered for both lifting and moving. Perfect for larger warehouses.
Why Stackers Are Great
- Great for stacking pallets
- Compact and easy to store
- Safe and stable
- Available in manual, semi-electric, and electric types
Where to Use Them
Stackers (Manual, Semi-Electric, and Electric) work best in small to medium-sized warehouses, especially where full-sized forklifts are too large.
At Jugnoo Transport, we help you choose the right stackers based on your lifting height, load weight, and workspace layout.
4. Order Pickers
Order Pickers are designed to help warehouse staff pick items from high shelves efficiently and safely.
What They Do
The operator rides on the machine, which lifts them to the height of the rack where the item is stored. They pick the item and then move to the next one.
Why They’re Efficient
- Improves speed and accuracy in picking orders
- Reduces worker fatigue
- Keeps inventory organized
Where to Use Them
They’re great in warehouses that deal with a lot of small items and need fast order fulfillment, like e-commerce hubs, retail warehouses, and distribution centers.
Jugnoo Transport offers order pickers with comfortable platforms and easy-to-use controls to make warehouse picking faster and safer.
5. Scissor Lifts
Scissor Lifts are great for raising workers and tools to higher levels. They’re not for moving loads across the floor, but for vertical access.
How They Work
They use a scissor-like mechanism to raise the platform straight up. This is useful for maintenance, installation, or picking from very high racks.
Why Choose Scissor Lifts
- Offers stable and safe vertical lift
- Can carry both workers and small loads
- Great for stocktaking and shelf adjustments
Where to Use Them
Scissor Lifts are perfect for inventory checks, repairs, and maintenance tasks inside a warehouse.
At Jugnoo Transport, we provide electric and hydraulic scissor lifts to make your high-reach jobs easier and safer.
6. Reach Trucks
Reach Trucks are narrow and highly maneuverable forklifts built to work in tight spaces and high racks.
What They Do
They extend their forks forward to “reach” into racking systems and pull back the load safely.
Why Reach Trucks Help
- Operate easily in narrow aisles
- Lift loads to greater heights
- Perfect for high-density storage
Where to Use Them
They’re ideal for modern warehouses with tall racking systems and limited floor space.
Jugnoo Transport offers a wide range of reach trucks for clients needing speed, precision, and height access in their operations.
7. Lift Tables
Lift tables help raise and lower goods or tools to the right working height. They are often used in packing stations or assembly lines.
How They Work
They operate using hydraulic or electric systems to lift a flat platform up and down.
Why Use Lift Tables
- Reduces worker bending and lifting
- Improves safety and ergonomics
- Handles different types of loads
Where to Use Them
Ideal for workstations, repair areas, and packing zones in warehouses.
Jugnoo Transport can supply adjustable lift tables that make warehouse tasks more comfortable and efficient.
8. Drum Lifters and Tilters
Drum lifters are specialized tools made for handling barrels and drums, which are otherwise hard to move safely.
What They Do
They grip, lift, move, and sometimes tilt drums for pouring or stacking.
Why They’re Important
- Prevents injuries from lifting heavy drums manually
- Improves accuracy in drum placement
- Saves time
Where to Use Them
Warehouses handling chemicals, oils, or bulk liquids often use drum lifters to transport and store barrels safely.
Jugnoo Transport offers durable drum lifters and tippers, ensuring safe material handling for your drum-heavy operations.
Conclusion
Material handling in warehouses doesn’t have to be hard. With the right tools, you can move, lift, stack, and organize goods more safely and efficiently. From forklifts and pallet jacks (manual and electric) to scissor lifts and order pickers, there’s a machine for every task.
Let’s recap the top 8 lifts:
- Forklifts – for heavy-duty lifting and transport
- Pallet Jacks (Manual and Electric) – for quick, easy pallet moves
- Stackers (Manual, Semi-Electric, and Electric) – for stacking in small spaces
- Order Pickers – for picking items from high racks
- Scissor Lifts – for vertical worker access
- Reach Trucks – for tall shelves and narrow aisles
- Lift Tables – for workstation height adjustments
- Drum Lifters – for handling barrels safely
At Jugnoo Transport, we don’t just rent and sell lifting equipment—we help you choose the right one. Our machines are safe, well-maintained, and ready to perform.
FAQs
Forklifts are larger and can carry heavier loads over long distances. Stackers are smaller and mainly used for stacking and shorter moves.
Yes, electric pallet jacks reduce effort and increase speed, making them ideal for frequent use or heavier loads.
They’re mainly for lifting people and tools but can carry light goods for shelf work and maintenance.
Reach trucks are better for narrow aisles because of their slim build and extended reach.
Absolutely. We offer full support, including maintenance and training for all warehouse lifting equipment.