2000kg Pedestrian Counterbalance Stacker

The 2000kg pedestrian counterbalance stacker is the highest-capacity walk-behind stacker in the Hall-Fast range – and one of the most powerful pedestrian-operated stackers available on the UK market. With a full two-tonne rated load, this machine handles the same pallet weights as a standard sit-on counterbalance forklift truck, yet it retains the compact footprint, simple operation, and low running costs of a pedestrian stacker. For operations that need serious lifting capability without the cost, space requirements, and complexity of a forklift, the 2000kg pedestrian counterbalance stacker is the most capable alternative available.

Two-Tonne Capacity: The Maximum for Pedestrian Stacking

Two tonnes is a significant threshold. It covers virtually every standard palletised load encountered in UK warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution – from full pallets of bottled water and canned goods to steel components, concrete products, bags of aggregate, and heavy machinery parts. At this capacity, the 2000kg stacker eliminates the gap between pedestrian stackers and sit-on forklifts for the vast majority of applications. The only loads it cannot handle are those that exceed two tonnes, which typically require specialist heavy-duty forklifts or overhead cranes.

Reaching this capacity in a walk-behind format required significant engineering. The counterweight is substantially heavier than on lighter models, the chassis is reinforced throughout, the hydraulic system delivers greater force, and the battery is sized to sustain the energy demands of repeated two-tonne lifts across a full working shift. This is not a light-duty stacker stretched to a higher rating – it is purpose-built for heavy, sustained operation.

Counterbalanced Design at Maximum Capacity

The counterbalance principle becomes even more valuable at the two-tonne level. Heavy industrial loads are the most likely to be carried on non-standard containers: steel stillages with solid bases, custom fabrication jigs, heavy-duty plastic pallets with closed bottoms, metal cages, and proprietary load carriers. Straddle stackers cannot engage with these formats because their legs have nowhere to go. The 2000kg counterbalance stacker handles all of them, because there are no legs – just clear, open forks that can approach any load from any direction.

This is not a theoretical advantage. In practice, heavy-capacity operations are precisely the environments where non-standard containers are most common. The heavier the load, the more likely it is to arrive on a robust, purpose-built carrier – and the more likely it is that a straddle stacker would fail to pick it up. At two tonnes, counterbalance is not just a convenience; it is a practical necessity for operational flexibility.

Maximum Pedestrian Capacity, Minimum Operational Overhead

Choosing a 2000kg pedestrian stacker over a sit-on forklift of equivalent capacity is fundamentally a decision about operational simplicity. The pedestrian stacker requires less capital investment, lower annual servicing costs, cheaper insurance, simpler operator training, and less floor space for operation and storage. It does not need dedicated wide aisles, it does not require a full counterbalance forklift licence, and it does not need an overhead guard or roll-over protection. For operations where loads are heavy but travel distances are short and cycle speeds are moderate, this reduction in overhead translates directly to better return on investment.

Where the 2000kg Sits in the Hall-Fast Range

Hall-Fast stocks pedestrian counterbalance stackers at 900kg, 1000kg, 1600kg, and 2000kg. The 2000kg model is for operations where loads regularly approach or reach two tonnes, or where a substantial safety margin above 1.5 tonnes is required. If your heaviest loads consistently stay below 1.5 tonnes, the 1600kg model provides sufficient capacity at a lower cost and weight. If your loads rarely exceed one tonne, the 900kg or 1000kg models are more appropriate. The 2000kg stacker is the right choice when you need the absolute maximum capacity available in a pedestrian-operated format.

Key Features

• 2,000kg (2 tonne) rated load capacity – the highest available in a pedestrian counterbalance stacker format
• Counterbalance design – no straddle legs; handles closed-bottom pallets, steel stillages, heavy plastic containers, and all standard pallet formats
• Pedestrian operated – walk-behind tiller control, single-operator use, no cab or overhead guard
• Electric battery powered – zero direct emissions, low noise, rechargeable for sustained heavy-duty shift use
• Maximum-duty chassis – the heaviest-built pedestrian stacker in the range, engineered for repeated two-tonne lifts
• High-capacity battery system – sized to support the energy demands of the heaviest loads across a full shift
• Powered hydraulic lift and lowering – smooth, precise fork control even at maximum rated load
• Compact relative to equivalent forklifts – significantly smaller than 2-tonne sit-on counterbalance forklift trucks
• Low total cost of ownership – fraction of a forklift’s purchase price, running costs, training, and maintenance
• Indoor and sheltered outdoor use – warehouses, factories, cold stores, loading bays, and covered yards

Ideal Applications

• Heavy warehousing and distribution – stacking two-tonne pallets of dense goods including tinned products, bottled liquids, ceramic tiles, and bagged materials
• Steel stockholding and metal fabrication – moving steel plate, bar stock, sheet metal, and heavy machined components on stillages
• Building supplies and merchants – handling bagged cement, aggregates, plasterboard stacks, and heavy timber packs
• Manufacturing and production – positioning raw materials, heavy assemblies, and finished goods between work centres
• Automotive and engineering workshops – moving engine blocks, gearbox assemblies, tooling, and heavy fixtures
• Paper mills and print warehouses – stacking heavy paper reels and banded carton pallets at maximum weight
• Food and beverage bulk storage – full pallets of canned goods, bottled water, and bulk dry ingredients in emission-free environments
• Cold store and chilled logistics – heavy frozen goods pallets in temperature-controlled environments requiring zero emissions
• Recycling and waste processing – moving compacted bales, dense material containers, and heavy skip-loads in enclosed processing halls

Specifications

Full Pedestrian Counterbalance Stacker Range Comparison

Hall-Fast stocks four pedestrian counterbalance stackers covering light-duty to maximum-capacity applications. Use this table to identify the right model for your workload.

Not sure which capacity is right? Call Hall-Fast on 01623 645645 – our team will assess your load weights, working environment, and throughput to recommend the best match.

2000kg Pedestrian Stacker vs 2-Tonne Forklift: An Honest Comparison

At two tonnes, the pedestrian counterbalance stacker directly overlaps with the most common capacity class of sit-on counterbalance forklift. This is the capacity where the decision between the two becomes most relevant – and most consequential. Here is where each machine genuinely outperforms the other.

Choose the 2000kg Pedestrian Stacker When…

• Your loads are heavy but your distances are short – within a single warehouse bay, between adjacent work areas, or across a compact production floor
• Your site is space-constrained – narrow aisles, standard doorways, goods lifts, multi-level buildings, or converted retail/industrial premises
• You want to avoid the full cost of forklift ownership – purchase price, insurance, servicing, operator certification, and annual thorough examination
• Your throughput is moderate – you handle heavy loads but not at continuous high-cycle rates throughout every shift
• You need zero-emission indoor operation – food, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or any environment where air quality and noise matter
• You want training simplicity – pedestrian stacker training is shorter and less costly than counterbalance forklift certification

Choose a Sit-On Forklift When…

• You need to cover long distances repeatedly – a walk-behind stacker is physically tiring over hundreds of metres per cycle
• Your operation runs at high throughput – continuous multi-hundred-pallet-per-shift volumes where ride-on speed matters
• You need lift heights above approximately 3,500mm – forklifts reach 4,000–6,000mm+ for high-bay racking
• You operate outdoors on rough or uneven surfaces – forklifts with pneumatic tyres handle terrain that pedestrian stackers cannot
• Operators work full eight-hour shifts in continuous handling roles – a seated position reduces physical fatigue over extended periods

For the majority of UK small-to-medium warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution operations – where loads are heavy but sites are compact and throughput is moderate – the 2000kg pedestrian counterbalance stacker delivers genuine forklift-level performance at a fraction of the total cost of ownership.

Why Buy from Hall-Fast?

Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies has been equipping UK businesses for over 55 years. We stock the complete pedestrian counterbalance stacker range from 900kg to 2000kg alongside electric forklift trucks from 1000kg to 1500kg with triplex mast options, powered industrial stackers, pallet trucks, and handling accessories.

Our approach is practical: we match equipment to your actual workload, space, and budget. If a 1600kg stacker gives you sufficient capacity with headroom to spare, we will recommend it over the 2000kg model. If your throughput demands genuinely require a sit-on forklift, we will say so. The goal is the right machine for the job – nothing more, nothing less.

Call us: 01623 645645

Email: sales@hall-fast.com

Browse the full range: www.hall-fast.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 2000kg pedestrian counterbalance stacker powerful enough to replace a forklift?

For many operations, yes. At two tonnes, this stacker matches the rated capacity of the most common class of sit-on counterbalance forklift truck. If your working environment is compact, your travel distances are short, and you do not need to stack above approximately 3,000–3,500mm, the 2000kg pedestrian stacker can perform the same core lifting and stacking tasks at significantly lower capital and running cost.

What types of load can a 2000kg pedestrian counterbalance stacker handle?

Virtually any palletised load up to two tonnes. The counterbalance design means there are no straddle legs restricting the types of container the stacker can engage with. Open-bottom timber pallets, closed-bottom plastic pallets, euro pallets, metal stillages, industrial cages, and bespoke load carriers are all compatible. This is particularly important at the two-tonne level, where heavy loads are frequently carried on robust, non-standard containers.

How does the 2000kg compare to the 1600kg model?

Both share the same counterbalanced, walk-behind, electric-powered design. The 2000kg model has a higher rated capacity (2 tonnes vs 1.6 tonnes), a heavier counterweight, a more robust chassis, and a larger battery to support the demands of heavier loads. Choose the 2000kg if your loads regularly exceed 1.5 tonnes or if you need the maximum safety margin for variable-weight stock. If your loads consistently stay below 1.5 tonnes, the 1600kg model is more cost-effective.

What training do operators need for the 2000kg model?

The same training as for any pedestrian stacker: adequate instruction and competence assessment under PUWER 1998 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Pedestrian stacker training is less extensive and less expensive than full sit-on counterbalance forklift certification. Accredited providers offer specific pedestrian stacker courses covering safe operation, load assessment, pre-use checks, and workplace hazard awareness.

Can the 2000kg stacker be used in food or pharmaceutical environments?

Yes. Zero-emission electric power, low noise output, and clean operation without fuel, oil drips, or exhaust residues make the stacker suitable for hygiene-sensitive food storage, pharmaceutical warehousing, and healthcare logistics. The two-tonne capacity is particularly relevant for food and beverage operations handling full pallets of heavy products such as bottled water, canned goods, and bulk ingredients.