Semi-electric stackers combine powered lifting with manual travel, helping to reduce your workforces effort levels while supporting your lifting and stacking needs, all while remaining simpler to operate and more cost-effective than fully electric alternatives.
This guide will help you compare and choose from our range of semi-electric stackers, understanding how to select the right configuration depending on your specific applications and working environments.
Who are semi-electric stackers for?
Semi-electric stackers are best suited for operations that require regular lifting and stacking, but where travel distances are relatively short and site layouts don’t demand powered drive.
They are typically chosen by organisations that have outgrown manual stackers due to the need for repetitive lifting and heavier loads, but do not yet need the addition cost, training or maintenance associated with fully electric stackers.
Semi-electric stackers are particularly well suited to environments where:
- Loads are lifted frequently to racking, shelving, pallets or workbench height
- Manual pumping is becoming physically demanding or inconsistent
- Travel distances are short and controlled
- Floor conditions are smooth and level
- A balance between performance simplicity and cost is required
Like most safe lifting solutions, they are frequently deployed in warehouses, logistics areas, workshops, production support zones, retail back-of-house operations and maintenance environments, especially where space is restricted or usage varies throughout the day.
How semi-electric stackers work
Semi-electric stackers use a battery-powered electric lift motor to raise and lower the folks at the press of a button. This controlled lifting function is the only section powered on the lifter, making them much lighter and less complex than fully electric models. Addition key characteristics include:
- Electric lift and decent, controlled via push-button or pendent
- Manual propulsion, suitable for short-distance movement
- Rechargeable battery systems, typically with onboard or plug-in chargers
- Simple control layouts, minimising training requirements
Key product features of our semi-electric stackers
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Rated from 1,000 kg up to 1,500 kg safe working load, depending on model, supporting heavier and more repetitive stacking tasks than manual alternatives |
| Lifting Mechanism | Battery-powered electric lift system providing smooth, consistent raising and controlled descent at the touch of a button |
| Lift Height Range | Lift heights from low-level positioning up to 4,500 mm on selected models, allowing use with higher storage locations |
| Travel & Manoeuvrability | Manually propelled and steered, offering precise positioning and control in confined or controlled working areas |
| Battery System | 12V rechargeable battery systems designed for regular daily use, with straightforward charging and minimal maintenance requirements |
| Fork Options | Fork lengths and widths available to suit standard pallets and non-standard load formats, depending on model configuration |
| Chassis & Mast Construction | Reinforced steel chassis and mast design engineered to maintain stability under powered lift, particularly at higher lift heights and capacities |
| Braking | Parking brake systems to secure the stacker during lifting and positioning, improving operator confidence and load control |
| Operator Control | Simple push-button lift controls combined with manual steering, reducing operator effort while keeping handling intuitive |
| Compliance | CE marked and manufactured in accordance with relevant European safety standards for semi-electric lifting equipment |
Choosing the right model
| Model | Max. Load | Max. Lift Height | Lift Type | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALFA SMALL 12V evo | 1,000 kg | 1,250 mm | Electric lift / manual travel | Frequent low-to-mid level lifting where manual pumping would be inefficient but powered drive is not required |
| ALFA 12V evo | 1,000 kg | 4,500 mm | Electric lift / manual travel | Higher lift height applications such as warehouse racking or shelving, where controlled powered lift improves safety and consistency |
| BETA 12V evo | 1,500 kg | 4,500 mm | Electric lift / manual travel | Heavier palletised loads and more demanding stacking tasks where higher capacity and frame rigidity are critical |
Use case profiles
| Environment | Common Tasks | Recommended Model(s) |
|---|---|---|
Retail stockrooms & wholesale back-of-house |
Frequent lifting of palletised or boxed goods onto shelving with short travel distances | ALFA SMALL 12V evo |
Warehouses with mid-to-high racking |
Regular stacking of palletised goods to higher storage levels with controlled positioning | ALFA 12V evo |
Production support & light manufacturing |
Handling heavier components, assemblies or finished goods near machines or workstations | ALFA 12V evo BETA 12V evo |
Logistics areas with frequent lift cycles |
Repeated lifting and lowering of goods during picking, staging or dispatch preparation | ALFA SMALL 12V evo ALFA 12V evo |
Sites upgrading from manual stackers |
Existing manual stacking tasks becoming more demanding or repetitive | ALFA SMALL 12V evo ALFA 12V evo |
Heavier palletised loads in confined layouts |
Handling dense or heavier pallets where space restricts use of forklifts or powered stackers | BETA 12V evo |
Tooling and customisation
Our range of semi-electric stackers can be easily configured to suit a wide range of specialist handling tasks beyond standard pallet lifting. This means you won’t be left forced to operate around standard equipment.
Fork options and attachments
Fork lengths and widths can be specified to suit different pallet formats or non-standard loads, helping maintain load stability during powered lifting. Lift heights can also be selected to match shelving or racking levels more closely, reducing unnecessary travel and operator input. For applications where loads are not palletised, specialist attachments such as platforms or bespoke fixtures can be supplied.
Specialist adaptation
Where operating conditions place additional demands on the equipment, we can advise on configuration updates to your lifters frame or mast to ensure safe operation. And where a standard model doesn’t fully meet your requirements, custom adaptations can be developed in consultation with our suppliers and technical teams to deliver a semi-electric stacker that fits your applications perfectly rather than forcing the process to fit the equipment.
Summary
Lift Safe’s semi-electric stacker range is designed to provide a practical balance between performance and cost, making it suitable for a wide range of warehouse and production support applications. By combining powered lift with manual manoeuvrability, these stackers offer a clear step up from manual handling without the added complexity of fully electric equipment.
With this guide, you should now have the technical detail and real-world context needed to choose the most suitable model. If you’re deciding between options, it helps to:
- Start with your application, load type and lift height
- Then consider the working environment and available space
- Finally, think about who will use the equipment and how often
For detailed specifications, configuration advice or bespoke options, get in contact with our team who are available to help you select the right semi-electric stacker for your operation.
