Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks made to function in narrow aisles. Typical storage aisles are just 3.6 meters wide, adequate space for a counterbalanced lift truck to pivot in the aisle. Nevertheless, narrow aisles could be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area requires specialized lift truck models which are small, capable of tight turns, could put away loads without turning. The popular types of narrow-aisle trucks are turret trucks, order pickers and reach trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The very first kinds of narrow-aisle lift trucks manufactured for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks could turn without difficulty within narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the need for a huge counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms extending in front of the truck. The downside of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can inhibit access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get close enough. These trucks really work well inside a warehouse which is well lit, has clean, even floors, good traffic flow and ample space for turning.
Turret trucks
The turret truck design has turning forks on side of the truck. The forks turn 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load faces forward whilst the operator drives down the aisle. When it stops at the designated storage location, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and next easily deposit the load prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks are available with a wire guidance system that keeps the truck on its path in very narrow aisles. Operators remain at floor level in man-down trucks.