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What Is an Order Picker?

By United States Pallets Editorial Team · Reviewed by industry operators · Last updated: June 23, 2026

By Mark Gabrielli, Pallet Industry Specialist — Updated 2026

An order picker is an electric forklift (ITA Class II) where the operator rides in a platform that elevates with the forks, used for case-level picking from rack.

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An order picker is an electric forklift (ITA Class II) where the operator rides in a platform that elevates with the forks, used for case-level picking from rack.

National pallet supplier distribution yard

Definition

An order picker is an electric forklift (ITA Class II) where the operator rides in a platform that elevates with the forks, used for case-level picking from rack.

Detailed Explanation

Order picker capacities: 2,000-3,000 lbs at platform. Lift height: 25+ ft. Common in e-commerce, retail distribution, pharmaceutical. Major brands: Crown SP, Raymond 5500, Hyster R.

Sources

ITA Class II
MHIA

Companion Resources

Does United States Pallets ship What Is an Order Picker? to all of United States?

Yes. We deliver to every commercial address in United States, with same-day shipping standard in our Southeast/Mid-Atlantic core and scheduled weekly delivery elsewhere. national-area accounts are typical - submit a quote with your dock location and we route accordingly.

What documentation accompanies What Is an Order Picker? loads?

BOL, packing list, grade certifications standard. Heat-treated loads add IPPC stamps and ISPM-15 documentation. Pharma-grade loads add batch records. Food-grade loads add FSMA Sanitary Transportation Rule certifications. All documentation ships electronically before delivery.

How fast does United States Pallets deliver to national, United States?

Same-day shipping in our Southeast/Mid-Atlantic core (FL, GA, AL, TN, MS, SC, NC, KY, VA) and scheduled weekly delivery elsewhere. Express options available for national rush orders. Quote response under 2 business hours, dispatch within hours of order confirmation.

Can national customers run a buyback program alongside their pallet purchases?

Yes. Backhaul logistics are coordinated on outbound delivery routes - empty or non-spec pallets get picked up on the return leg of new pallet deliveries. Per-pallet freight cost on the backhaul approaches zero for accounts running both new-pallet purchase + buyback simultaneously.

Does United States Pallets buy back used pallets in national?

Yes. We buy back used pallets from national collectors, recyclers, and warehouses - 250-pallet minimum per load, single-size only (no mixed-size loads). Fast ACH payment, typically same-day or net-7 depending on volume. Pickup arranged on standard outbound delivery routes.

Operational details for Florida

Compliance specification

FSMA Section 204 traceability supported on every food-grade load; pallet ID linked to the lumber lot, kiln batch, and dispatch ticket in our chain-of-custody database.

Florida regulatory context

Hurricane preparedness regulations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties require commercial pallet inventory to be either secured (banded + tarped) or relocated above 12 feet by June 1 storm-season opening; our staging team manages compliance for recurring customers.

Citrus packers operating in Florida's three citrus belts (Indian River, Polk County, Highlands County) require Florida-specific phytosanitary documentation; we coordinate with the Florida Citrus Mutual office for compliant freight.

Pallet specification detail

Block pallets (four-way entry) use nine 4-inch hardwood blocks with continuous-face top deck; ideal for ASRS (automated storage and retrieval) and AGV (automated guided vehicle) operations where stringer interruptions cause read-failures.

48x40 GMA load capacity is 2,800 lb racked (face-loaded), 4,600 lb static, and 2,500 lb dynamic per ASME MH1 2016; deck board span 3.5 inches; deflection under rated load <0.5 inch.

Delivery and logistics

Dry-van loads handle weather-sensitive pallet stock and food-grade freight; sealed loads with bill-of-lading documentation; supports DOT-required commercial routing.

Customer use case

Citrus packhouses operate seasonal volume peaks November-April; we maintain dedicated Polk County and Indian River inventory to support 6-12 truckload weekly delivery during peak; standing-order pricing locks rates Oct 1.

Pricing context

Pricing structure: new 48x40 GMA stock ranges $14-18 per pallet in 500+ lot pricing; recycled Grade A runs $7-10 per pallet; recycled Grade B at $5-7; custom builds priced per spec on a quote basis.

Sustainability

Lumber sourcing prioritizes regional Southeast US hardwood mills (FL, AL, GA, MS); reduces transport carbon vs Pacific Northwest stock; supports regional logging economies.