Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks designed to operate in narrow aisles. A counterbalanced lift truck could turn in the aisle because standard storage aisles are 3.6 meters wide and this is enough space. However, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space requires specialized types of lift trucks which are small, capable of tight turns, can 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 kinds of narrow-aisle lift trucks manufactured for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks could easily turn within 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 hinder access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get near enough. These kinds of trucks really work well within a warehouse that is well lit, has clean, even floors, good flow of traffic and ample space for turning.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck has turning forks on side of the truck. The forks turn 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load could face forward while the operator drives down the aisle. Once stopped at the designated storage place, 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 can come with a wire guidance system which keeps the truck on its path in really narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.