Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks made to operate in narrow aisles. A counterbalanced lift truck can turn within the aisle since typical storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide and this is adequate space. Then again, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space needs specific lift truck models that are capable of tight turns, small, could put away loads without pivoting. The common types of narrow-aisle trucks are order pickers, reach trucks and turret trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The first kinds of narrow-aisle lift trucks developed for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks could turn with no trouble within narrow aisles since their design has eliminated the need for a large 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 inhibit access to the storage rack since the truck cannot get near enough. These trucks work well inside a warehouse which is well lit, has clean, even floors, ample turning space 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 location, the forks of the truck turn to the storage side and raise 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. Operators remain at floor level in man-down trucks.