What Size Walkie Stacker Do You Need? The 4 Numbers That Decide It (With OSHA Rules and Real Prices)
The right size walkie stacker is the one whose capacity plate covers your heaviest pallet at the load center that pallet actually has, lifts about 6 inches above the top beam you load, and straddles the pallet you run. Most buyers asking what size walkie stacker do I need get the first number right and the second one wrong: two of the EKKO families we stock are rated at a 20 inch load center, so a 3,000 lb plate works out to 2,500 lb on a standard 48 inch deep pallet by OSHA's own load moment math. On Warehouse Gear Hub, a 3,300 lb EKKO EA15A-118 semi-electric straddle stacker with 118 inches of lift is $3,950.00, the 3,000 lb lithium EKKO EB14C-138Li with 138 inches is $6,329.85, a 3,500 lb Ballymore with 157 inches is $10,199.00, and the 4,400 lb EKKO EB16EA with a 216 inch triple mast is $16,414.10. The four numbers below take you from your rack and your pallet to the model, with 29 CFR 1910.178 quoted from OSHA's page, OSHA's load center arithmetic from Appendix A, and every capacity, load center, lift height, and lowered mast height from the manufacturer's spec sheet or our listing.
- What does OSHA say about walkie stacker capacity?
- Number 1: How much does your heaviest pallet weigh?
- Number 2: Where is the load center, and what is the capacity at full height?
- Number 3: How high is the top beam you will load?
- Number 4: What are your pallet's dimensions?
- Which size walkie stacker should you buy?
- Frequently asked questions
What does OSHA say about walkie stacker capacity?
A walkie stacker is a powered industrial truck under 29 CFR 1910.178, and three lines in that standard decide the sizing question. Paragraph (o)(2): "Only loads within the rated capacity of the truck shall be handled." Paragraph (a)(6): "The user shall see that all nameplates and markings are in place and are maintained in a legible condition." And (a)(4): "Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation shall not be performed by the customer or user without manufacturers prior written approval. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly." The nameplate is the legal capacity, and the number on it is tied to a load center and a lift height, which is why a stacker sold as "3,300 lb" does not carry 3,300 lb in every position.
OSHA explains the load center in Appendix A to 1910.178, paragraph A-5.2: "The specified distance from the front face of the forks to the line of action of the load is commonly called the load center," and "Trucks with a capacity of 30,000 pounds or less are normally rated at a given load weight at a 24-inch load center." Then the instruction: "To safely operate the vehicle, the operator should always check the data plate to determine the maximum allowable weight at the rated load center." Training has to cover this too. The truck-related topics in 1910.178(l)(3)(i) include "(H) Vehicle capacity" and "(I) Vehicle stability." Keep those three paragraphs in mind, because the walkie stackers we sell are rated at 20 inch, 23.6 inch, and 24 inch load centers, and Number 2 below shows what that does to the plate.
Number 1: How much does your heaviest pallet weigh?
Weigh the heaviest pallet you will ever put on the forks, not the average one. That is the number the plate has to beat, and it includes the pallet itself: per iGPS, "a reusable wood block pallet can vary enormously in weight, from 70 to 80 pounds," while a plastic pallet comes in at "less than 50 pounds." Put the loaded pallet on a floor scale if you have one. If you do not, multiply the case weight by the case count and add the pallet.
The walkie stackers on Warehouse Gear Hub are rated between 1,100 lb and 4,400 lb. The ladder, as listed: 1,100 lb and 2,200 lb for the Apollolift manual stackers, 2,640 lb and 2,800 lb for the entry EKKO and Apollolift electrics, 3,000 lb for the EKKO EB14C lithium family, 3,300 lb for the EKKO EA15A semi-electrics and the Apollolift full electrics, 3,500 lb for the Ballymore BALLYPAL35TSL157, and 4,000 lb and 4,400 lb for the EKKO EB18E, EB20E, and EB16EA. Pick the rung above your heaviest pallet, then run it through Number 2 before you order, because a plate that clears your pallet by 200 lb at the rated load center can miss it by 300 lb at the load center your pallet actually has.
Number 2: Where is the load center, and what is the capacity at full height?
This is the number the generic buying guides skip. OSHA's Appendix A, paragraph A-5.3, gives the arithmetic: "if an operator is operating a 3000 pound capacity truck (with a 24-inch load center), the maximum allowable load-moment is 72,000 inch-pounds (3,000 times 24). If a load is 60 inches long (30-inch load center), then the maximum that this load can weigh is 2,400 pounds (72,000 divided by 30)." Multiply the rated capacity by the rated load center to get the load moment, then divide by your pallet's real load center. A 48 inch deep pallet with an evenly distributed load has its center of gravity 24 inches back from the front face of the forks, so 24 inches is the load center for the 48 by 40 inch GMA pallet that iGPS calls "the standard in grocery, the U.S. military, and other industries."
Now the manufacturer numbers. Per EKKO's EB14C spec sheet, the EB14C-98Li, 118Li, 138Li, and 145Li are rated at 3,000 lb with a load center of 20 inches. Per EKKO's EA15A sheet, the EA15A and EA15A-138 are rated at 3,300 lb, also at 20 inches. Per EKKO's EB13E sheet, the EB13E is 2,800 lb at 23.6 inches, and per EKKO's EB16EA page, the EB16EA is 4,400 lb at 24 inches. Our Apollolift listings put the A-3034 and A-3030 at 3,300 lb with a 23.6 inch load center and the A-3003 manual stacker at 2,200 lb with a 19.7 inch load center. Run the OSHA method on each and the 20 inch trucks lose a quarter of their plate on a 48 inch pallet.
| Stacker we stock | Rated capacity | Rated load center | Load moment | Max load at 24 in (OSHA method) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EKKO EB14C-98Li, 118Li, 138Li, 145Li | 3,000 lb | 20 in, per EKKO sheet | 60,000 in-lb | 2,500 lb |
| EKKO EA15A-118 and EA15A-138 | 3,300 lb | 20 in, per EKKO sheet | 66,000 in-lb | 2,750 lb |
| Apollolift A-3003 manual | 2,200 lb | 19.7 in, per our listing | 43,340 in-lb | 1,805 lb |
| EKKO EB13E | 2,800 lb | 23.6 in, per EKKO sheet | 66,080 in-lb | 2,753 lb |
| Apollolift A-3034 and A-3030 | 3,300 lb | 23.6 in, per our listing | 77,880 in-lb | 3,245 lb |
| EKKO EB16EA | 4,400 lb | 24 in, per EKKO page | 105,600 in-lb | 4,400 lb |
Two cautions on that table. First, OSHA says the method is conservative: Appendix A notes that "calculating the maximum allowable load-moment using the load-center distance always provides a lower load-moment than the truck was designed to handle." The plate on the truck governs, and if the plate gives a figure at 24 inches, use the plate. Second, the plate figure also drops with height. Appendix A, paragraph A-6.2, lists "the height of the load above the surface on which the vehicle is operating" as a factor in lateral stability, and the clearest published example in our catalog is the Apollolift A-3030: rated at 3,300 lb, and per our listing, "The capacity is 880lbs when lifting to 220''." EKKO's sheets for the EA15A, EB13E, and EB14C do not publish a separate figure at full height, so for a load that goes to the top beam, read the capacity plate on the mast, and when the plate is silent, call us and we will get the number from EKKO before you buy.
3,000 lb at a 20 inch load center, 138 inch lift height, 94.2 inch lowered mast, 45.3 inch forks adjustable from 8.7 to 32.1 inches, straddle legs adjustable from 35.4 to 51.2 inches, 24V/50Ah lithium battery with Curtis controller. 2,500 lb on a 48 inch pallet by the OSHA method.
Number 3: How high is the top beam you will load?
Measure from the floor to the top of the highest beam you will put a pallet on, then add lift-off room. Rack designers leave a gap above every load for exactly this: per Cisco-Eagle's rack clearance guide, "the minimum space between the top of the tallest load and the bottom of the next beam is 6″," and "this is a minimum clearance, so you can add more to give your drivers better leeway." Use the same 6 inches as your lift-off allowance above the top beam. The rule: required lift height equals top beam height plus 6 inches. A top beam at 96 inches needs 102 inches of lift, and every 118 inch model clears it. A top beam at 120 inches needs 126 inches, which rules out the 118 inch models and lands on 138 inches. Lift height on a spec sheet is the maximum fork height, so compare your number to that line, not to the mast extended height.
The second height is the one buyers forget: the mast when it is all the way down. Per EKKO's sheets, the EA15A-118 stands 85 inches lowered, the EA15A-138 95 inches, the EB14C-118Li 85.0 inches, the EB14C-138Li 94.2 inches, and the EB14C-145Li 98.8 inches. The surprise is at the top of the range. Per EKKO's page, the EB16EA lifts 216 inches but stands only 98.03 inches lowered, because its triple mast has 76.25 inches of free lift, and per our listing the Apollolift A-3030 lifts 220 inches from a 97.6 inch lowered mast with 76.3 inches of free lift. Measure your lowest door, mezzanine, and sprinkler drop before you buy, and if the stacker will work inside trailers, read our walkie stacker vs forklift guide, which covers free lift and lowered mast height in a trailer.
| Stacker we stock | Type | Rated capacity | Lift height | Mast lowered | Price as listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apollolift A-3003 | Manual, fixed legs | 2,200 lb at 19.7 in | 63 in | 82.3 in | $1,900.00 |
| EKKO EA15A-118 | Semi-electric straddle | 3,300 lb at 20 in | 118 in | 85 in | $3,950.00 |
| EKKO EA15A-138 | Semi-electric straddle | 3,300 lb at 20 in | 138 in | 95 in | $4,102.10 |
| Apollolift A-3034 | Full electric, fixed legs | 3,300 lb at 23.6 in | 118 in | 82.2 in | $4,490.00 |
| EKKO EB14C-118Li | Lithium straddle | 3,000 lb at 20 in | 118 in | 85.0 in | $5,888.10 |
| EKKO EB14C-138Li | Lithium straddle | 3,000 lb at 20 in | 138 in | 94.2 in | $6,329.85 |
| EKKO EB14C-145Li | Lithium straddle, side shift | 3,000 lb at 20 in | 145 in | 98.8 in | $7,360.60 |
| Ballymore BALLYPAL35TSL157 | Full electric straddle, three-stage mast | 3,500 lb, load center not listed | 157 in | Not listed | $10,199.00 |
| Apollolift A-3030 | Full electric straddle | 3,300 lb at 23.6 in, 880 lb at 220 in | 220 in | 97.6 in | $12,450.00 |
| EKKO EB16EA | Full electric straddle, triple mast | 4,400 lb at 24 in | 216 in | 98.03 in | $16,414.10 |
3,300 lb at a 20 inch load center, 118 inch lift, 85 inch lowered mast, electric lift with manual push, 45 inch forks adjustable from 8.66 to 32 inches, straddle legs adjustable from 35 to 51 inches, 12V 120Ah battery with internal charger. 2,750 lb on a 48 inch pallet by the OSHA method.
3,500 lb capacity, 157 inch lift height, three-stage mast, 45 inch forks, adjustable straddle base, proportional lifting for controlled placement at height, mesh protection screen, per our listing. The step between the 138 to 145 inch EKKO masts and the 216 to 220 inch tall masts.
Number 4: What are your pallet's dimensions?
Three dimensions on the stacker have to match three on the pallet: fork length to pallet depth, fork spread to the pallet's openings, and straddle leg width to the pallet's outside width. Per EKKO's sheets, the EB14C and EA15A families carry 45 inch forks (45.3 inches on the EB14C), adjustable across an outside spread of 8.7 to 32.1 inches on the EB14C and 8.66 to 32 inches on the EA15A, between straddle legs that adjust from 35.4 to 51.2 inches inside on the EB14C and 35 to 51 inches on the EA15A. The Apollolift A-3030 runs 42 inch forks adjustable from 7.8 to 31.5 inches, per our listing. A 48 inch deep GMA pallet sits on a 45 inch fork with 3 inches hanging past the tips, which is normal, and the 24 inch load center from Number 2 still applies.
The straddle width is where a 48 by 40 pallet gets interesting. Enter the 40 inch face and the legs only have to clear 40 inches, which every setting above 40 covers with room. Enter the 48 inch face and the legs have to clear 48 inches, which puts you within 3 inches of the 51 inch maximum, so set the legs wide and check the aisle before you commit to that direction. Fixed-leg stackers like the Apollolift A-3034 and A-3003 skip the straddle entirely: the forks ride over fixed legs, 27.3 inches across on the A-3034 and 21.8 inches outside on the A-3003 per our listings, and the A-3034 listing says "Fixed forks suits for EU type pallet." Those legs have to pass under the pallet, which is a pallet-construction question rather than a size question. Our straddle vs counterbalanced stacker guide settles fork-over, straddle, and counterbalanced by pallet type and aisle width, so run your pallet through that guide once you have the four numbers here.
Last dimension: lowered fork height. The EB14C and EA15A forks sit 2.6 inches off the floor lowered, the A-3030 forks 2.8 inches, and the A-3034 forks 3.5 inches, per the spec sheets and our listings. The forks have to enter the pallet opening with the pallet sitting on the floor, so measure the opening on your pallet before you choose a 3.5 inch fork.
4,400 lb at a 24 inch load center, so the full plate applies on a 48 inch pallet, 216 inch lift from a 98.03 inch lowered mast with 76.25 inches of free lift, 45.28 inch forks, straddle legs adjustable from 38.06 to 51.81 inches, electric power steering, AC drive, 24V/210Ah battery, per EKKO's page.
Which size walkie stacker should you buy?
Match your four numbers to the line that fits.
- Heaviest pallet under 2,500 lb on a 48 inch pallet, top beam at 112 inches or lower: EKKO EA15A-118 ($3,950.00) if a few lifts an hour on a manual push is fine, or EKKO EB14C-118Li ($5,888.10) for powered travel on a lithium battery. Both give 118 inches of lift from an 85 inch lowered mast.
- Same pallet, top beam between 112 and 132 inches: EKKO EB14C-138Li ($6,329.85), 138 inches of lift, lithium, 94.2 inch lowered mast. The EA15A-138 ($4,102.10) is the semi-electric version at the same height.
- Heaviest pallet between 2,500 and 3,245 lb on a 48 inch pallet, top beam at 112 inches or lower: Apollolift A-3034 ($4,490.00), rated 3,300 lb at 23.6 inches, fixed legs, 118 inch lift from an 82.2 inch mast. Confirm your pallet works with fork-over legs first.
- Top beam between 132 and 151 inches, pallets to 3,500 lb: Ballymore BALLYPAL35TSL157 ($10,199.00), 157 inch three-stage mast.
- Top beam up to 210 inches, pallets to 4,400 lb at 24 inches: EKKO EB16EA ($16,414.10). The Apollolift A-3030 ($12,450.00) lifts 220 inches but carries 880 lb at that height per our listing, so it is the pick only when the top beam holds light loads.
- Occasional lifts to 63 inches, no battery wanted: Apollolift A-3003 manual ($1,900.00), 2,200 lb at 19.7 inches, 1,805 lb on a 48 inch pallet by the OSHA method.
Every model above is in the Stackers collection, with the EKKO models also in the EKKO Lifts collection and the Apollolift models in the Apollolift collection. Warehouse Gear Hub is an authorized EKKO dealer, so the EKKO warranty applies to a stacker bought here. If a pallet jack covers your floor and the stacker only needs to reach the first beam, our electric vs manual pallet jack guide is the cheaper read. For a sizing check, call 1-800-794-1049, 8 AM to 4 PM Central, with your heaviest pallet weight, pallet dimensions, top beam height, and lowest door height. We price match authorized US dealers and quote volume and B2B orders in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight can a walkie stacker lift?
The walkie stackers on Warehouse Gear Hub are rated from 1,100 lb to 4,400 lb, and every rating is tied to a load center: 20 inches on the EKKO EA15A and EB14C families, 23.6 inches on the EKKO EB13E and the Apollolift A-3034 and A-3030, and 24 inches on the EKKO EB16EA, per the manufacturers' sheets and our listings. 29 CFR 1910.178(o)(2) requires that "only loads within the rated capacity of the truck shall be handled," and the rated capacity is the plate figure at its stated load center, not the number in the product title.
How high can a walkie stacker lift?
In our catalog, from 63 inches on the Apollolift A-3003 manual stacker to 216 inches on the EKKO EB16EA and 220 inches on the Apollolift A-3030. The common rungs are 98, 118, 138, 145, 157, 177, 216, and 220 inches. Size it as top beam height plus 6 inches of lift-off room, the clearance figure Cisco-Eagle gives for the gap between a load and the beam above it.
Does a walkie stacker's capacity drop at full height?
Yes. OSHA's Appendix A to 1910.178 lists "the height of the load above the surface on which the vehicle is operating" as a factor in lateral stability, and the Apollolift A-3030 listing states it plainly: rated 3,300 lb, and "The capacity is 880lbs when lifting to 220''." EKKO's published sheets for the EA15A, EB13E, and EB14C give one rating at the stated load center and no separate figure at full height, so read the capacity plate on the mast for the number at the top beam.
What does load center mean on a walkie stacker?
Per OSHA's Appendix A, "the specified distance from the front face of the forks to the line of action of the load is commonly called the load center." A 48 inch deep pallet with an even load has a 24 inch load center. EKKO rates the EA15A and EB14C at 20 inches, so by OSHA's load moment method a 3,000 lb EB14C carries 2,500 lb on that pallet (3,000 x 20 = 60,000 inch-pounds, divided by 24) and a 3,300 lb EA15A carries 2,750 lb. OSHA calls the method conservative, and the plate on the truck governs.
Will a walkie stacker fit a 48 x 40 pallet?
The EKKO EB14C and EA15A straddle stackers run 45 inch forks between legs that adjust from 35 to 51 inches inside, per EKKO's sheets, so a 48 by 40 pallet fits entering either face, with the 48 inch face leaving 3 inches of leg clearance at the widest setting. Fixed-leg stackers like the Apollolift A-3034 need a pallet the legs can pass under; the listing says the fixed forks suit EU type pallets. The pallet-type decision is in our straddle vs counterbalanced stacker guide.
How much does a walkie stacker cost?
On Warehouse Gear Hub as of this writing: Apollolift A-3003 manual $1,900.00; EKKO EA15A-118 semi-electric $3,950.00 and EA15A-138 $4,102.10; Apollolift A-3034 full electric $4,490.00; EKKO EB14C-118Li $5,888.10, EB14C-138Li $6,329.85, and EB14C-145Li $7,360.60; Ballymore BALLYPAL35TSL157 $10,199.00; Apollolift A-3030 $12,450.00; and EKKO EB16EA $16,414.10. Within a family, the mast sets the step: the 138 inch EB14C-138Li costs $441.75 more than the 118 inch EB14C-118Li, and the 145 inch side-shifting EB14C-145Li adds another $1,030.75.
Size it to the plate, the beam, and the pallet
EKKO, Apollolift, and Ballymore walkie stackers from 63 to 220 inches of lift and 1,100 to 4,400 lb, with load center, lowered mast height, fork and straddle dimensions on every product page.
Shop walkie stackers →Questions on capacity at height, pallet fit, or a volume quote: call 1-800-794-1049 (8 AM to 4 PM Central) or email info@warehousegearhub.com.