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 as standard storage aisles are 3.6 meters wide and this is sufficient space. Nonetheless, narrow aisles can be about 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area requires specific kinds of lift trucks 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 developed for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks can turn easily within narrow aisles because their design has eliminated the need for a big counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms extending in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can hinder access to the storage rack since the truck cannot get near enough. These types of trucks truly work well in a warehouse that is well lit, has clean, even floors, ample space for turning and good flow of traffic.
Turret trucks
The turret truck design includes forks on the side which turn. The forks turn 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load faces forward whilst the operator drives down the aisle. When stopped at the designated storage location, the truck's forks turn to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and then smoothly 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 very narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.