Reach Forklifts
Space is generally at a premium in nearly all distribution centers or warehouse environments. The less space needed for aisles in which to operate equipment, the more space overall you would have for the storage of goods and products. Therefore, specialized equipment has been designed for operating in extremely narrow aisles in order to maximize efficiency and space.
Reach Trucks
The specific reach forklift has a mast which extends away from the forklifts body. It usually is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is compacted or drawn in, the forklift becomes a lot narrower that the regular forklift.
Operator Position
Reach trucks are designed so the driver can stand while in operation of the machine. This is a contrast to the typical forklift where the driver is usually sitting. The standing operation area lessens the amount of room needed for the compartment of the driver, allowing the equipment to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
Aisle-ways can be made as narrow as 7 feet with a reach truck. The majority of standard lift trucks require a minimum aisle space of roughly 11 feet; thus, utilizing a reach truck provides about a savings of 5 feet per aisle. When the warehouse is leased by the square foot basis, this is a considerable amount of space.
Unique Controls
Usually, a reach truck is steered utilizing a rotating lever situated beside the operator on a platform. There is another lever utilized to control the mast and for extending the mast and also to control forward and reverse. These controls are quite different compared to regular forklift controls.
Load Capacity
Usually, the load capacity for a reach truck is less than that of a standard lift truck, depending on the model. This is largely due to the narrow design of the machinery, that can lead to a very high center of gravity. When the mast is extended fully and the load is raised, this is actually true.