Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks designed to function in narrow aisles. A counterbalanced lift truck can turn within the aisle because typical storage aisles are just 3.6 meters wide and this is enough space. However, narrow aisles can be about 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area needs specialized types of lift trucks which are capable of tight turns, small, can put away loads without turning. The popular kinds of narrow-aisle trucks are order pickers, reach trucks and turret trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The very first types of narrow-aisle lift trucks developed for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks can easily turn within narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the need for a huge counterweight. Instead, stability is provided by outrigger arms that extend in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can hinder access to the storage rack as the truck cannot get close enough. These types of trucks truly work well in a warehouse that is well lit, has clean, even floors, enough space for turning and good flow of traffic.
Turret trucks
The turret truck design has pivoting forks on side of the truck. The forks turn 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load faces forward while the operator drives down the aisle. Once it stops at the designated storage location, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and raise the load to their full extension, and then smoothly deposit the load before resuming their original position. Turret trucks are available with a wire guidance system which keeps the truck on its path in really narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.