Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks designed to function in narrow aisles. Typical storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide, enough space for a counterbalanced lift truck to turn in the aisle. On the other hand, narrow aisles can be around 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space needs specific types of lift trucks which are capable of tight turns, small, and able to put away loads without turning. The popular kinds of narrow-aisle trucks are reach trucks, turret trucks and orderpickers.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
Reach trucks were the very first narrow-aisle lift truck to be developed for warehouse use. These small trucks could easily turn in narrow aisles since their design has eliminated the need for a large counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms that extend in front of the truck. The downside of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can inhibit access to the storage rack since the truck cannot get close enough. These trucks work well within a warehouse that is well lit, has even, clean floors, enough space for turning and good flow of traffic.
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 while the operator drives down the aisle. Once stopped at the designated storage place, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and next easily 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 very narrow aisles. Operators remain at floor level in man-down trucks.