Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks made to function in narrow aisles. A counterbalanced lift truck can turn within the aisle as standard storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide and this is sufficient space. Nevertheless, narrow aisles can be about 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space requires specialized lift truck models that are capable of tight turns, small, can put away loads without pivoting. The common kinds of narrow-aisle trucks are reach trucks, turret trucks and orderpickers.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
Reach trucks were the first narrow-aisle lift truck to be manufactured for warehouse use. These small trucks can easily turn in narrow aisles because their design has eliminated the requirement for a big counterweight. Instead, stability is provided by outrigger arms which extend in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this design is that the outrigger arms could inhibit access to the storage rack since the truck cannot get near enough. These trucks work well in a warehouse that is well lit, has even, clean floors, good flow of traffic and enough space for turning.
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 can face forward whilst the operator drives down the aisle. Once it stops at the designated storage place, the truck's forks turn to the storage side and raise the load to their full extension, and next 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.