By a mobile frame that moves by means of belts, chains or supporting ropes, along a vertical structure and within an aisle, typically bounded by two racks;

The vertical structure actually consists of one or more columns in turn anchored to a beam running along a rail on two supporting wheels, one driving and one driven. In some cases, machines with several driving wheels are designed for high-performance machines;

There are contrast wheels at the top that keep the sideshifter upright.

Depending on the goods to be handled, there are different types of stacker cranes: stacker cranes for pallets or for larger and heavier goods, and miniloads, for handling lighter and smaller loads.

In addition, they can handle single- or double-deep and multiple-deep warehouses, i.e. with a variable number of containers per side.