A lift truck with base legs spaced wide enough to straddle a pallet, so the forks can lower the load to the floor between the legs; the leg spacing limits the widest pallet it can handle.
Detailed Definition
Straddle trucks are usually electric walk-behind or stand-on stackers. Instead of a heavy counterweight, they rely on two outrigger legs, one on each side of the load, for stability. Because the legs pass outside the pallet rather than under it, the truck can pick pallets from the floor or from low rack positions whether or not the pallet has an open bottom, including double-faced pallets. Some models have adjustable leg spacing to suit different pallet widths.
Straddle legs vs legs under the pallet
Many walkie stackers have narrow legs that run under the pallet, which only works when the pallet's bottom deck has openings for the legs. A straddle stacker places its legs outside the pallet, so the forks can reach the floor and lift closed-bottom pallets. The trade-off is width: the truck is wider overall, and the distance between the legs must be greater than the pallet width.
Sizing and rack fit
Before buying, measure the widest pallet you will handle and confirm it fits between the legs with clearance. In rack, the legs must fit beside the pallet at floor level, so the bottom pallet position and the space between uprights must leave room for them. Check lift height, capacity at your load center, and aisle width against the manufacturer's data.
Operating considerations
Straddle stackers suit lighter-duty, lower-volume work such as small warehouses, shops and production areas. They are powered industrial trucks, so OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 training and evaluation apply, specific to the stacker model being used. Check floor condition too, since stackers with small load wheels are sensitive to bumps, debris, dock plates and slopes.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a straddle truck lift a closed-bottom pallet?
Yes, that is one of its main advantages. Because the legs pass outside the pallet instead of under it, the forks can go into the pallet openings and lower all the way to the floor. A stacker whose legs go under the pallet needs openings in the bottom deck for the legs. Confirm the pallet width fits between the straddle legs before relying on this.
Is a straddle truck the same as a straddle carrier?
No. In warehouses, a straddle truck usually means a pallet stacker with outrigger legs that straddle the load. A straddle carrier is a large, tall vehicle used at ports and container yards that drives over a shipping container, lifts it from above, and carries it between its legs. The names are similar, but the machines, uses and training are very different.