Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks made to operate within narrow aisles. Typical storage aisles are 3.6 meters wide, enough space for a counterbalanced lift truck to turn within the aisle. On the other hand, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area needs specialized types of lift trucks that are small, capable of tight turns, could put away loads without pivoting. The popular types of narrow-aisle trucks are reach trucks, turret trucks and orderpickers.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The very first types of narrow-aisle lift trucks manufactured for warehouse applications are the reach trucks. These small trucks can turn easily within narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the requirement for a big counterweight. Instead, stability is provided by outrigger arms extending in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can inhibit access to the storage rack as the truck cannot get close enough. These trucks work well in a warehouse that is well lit, has clean, even floors, good flow of traffic and ample turning space.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck consists of forks on the side which pivot. The forks pivot 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load faces forward while the operator drives down the aisle. When stopped at the designated storage place, the truck's forks pivot to the storage side and raise the load to their full extension, and then easily deposit the load prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks are available with a wire guidance system which keeps the truck on its path in really narrow aisles. Operators remain at floor level in man-down trucks.