A stacker truck is a material-handling truck fitted with a lifting mast that raises a pallet to store it at height in racking, from 1.6 to more than 5 meters. Unlike a pallet truck, which is limited to horizontal movement, a stacker truck adds vertical storage: it comes in manual or electric versions, walk-behind or ride-on.
From pallet truck to forklift
The stacker truck occupies an intermediate position between the pallet truck, limited to horizontal transport, and the forklift, more versatile but bulkier. Its job is to stack — that is, to place or store a palletized load at height in a racking bay, then bring it back down to the ground.
Two power options coexist. The manual stacker truck raises the load via a hydraulic pump (operated by the tiller) or electrically depending on the version, for typical capacities of 1,000 to 1,500 kg and more limited stacking heights. The electric stacker truck motorizes both traction and lift, in two configurations: walk-behind (operator on foot) or ride-on (platform for the operator), for greater heights and throughput.
On price, a new manual stacker truck runs roughly between €700 and €1,500. A walk-behind electric stacker truck starts around €1,780 to €2,500 excl. VAT for entry-level models and can exceed €9,000; a ride-on model tends to fall between €6,000 and €20,000. Used units start around €1,500 and rental runs €50 to €110/day.
On the regulatory side, walk-behind stacker trucks fall under CACES recommendation R485, with two categories based on lift height: category 1 for a lift of 1.20 to 2.50 m, category 2 above 2.50 m. Ride-on stacker trucks, meanwhile, fall under R489 (category 1B). These thresholds should be checked case by case depending on the exact model and its configuration.
FAQ
What is the difference between a stacker truck and a pallet truck?
A pallet truck moves a pallet at ground level without storing it at height. A stacker truck adds a lifting mast that lets you place the load into racking, up to several meters high, making it the go-to tool for vertical storage.
What CACES certification is required for a stacker truck?
A pedestrian stacker truck falls under recommendation R485: category 1 for a lift height of 1.2 to 2.5 m, category 2 beyond that. A ride-on stacker truck falls under CACES R489 category 1B, with the required training depending on the model.
What is the maximum stacking height?
It varies by model, from 1.6 m on entry-level units to more than 5 m on some ride-on electric stackers. It should always be chosen based on the racking height and the residual capacity stated by the manufacturer.
Related terms
Pallet truck · Electric pallet truck · Forklift · Reach truck · Anatomy of a material-handling truck · CACES · Periodic inspection (VGP).
See also: our guide to the autonomous pallet truck, electric pallet truck pricing.
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