Reach Forklifts
Space is generally at a premium in nearly all distribution facilities or warehouse settings. The less space needed for aisles in which to operate machines, the more room overall you would have for the storage of products and goods. Thus, specialized equipment has been intended to be utilized in really narrow aisles so that efficiency and space could be maximized.
Reach Trucks
A reach forklift is a specific piece of machinery which has a mast which extends away from the forklift's body. It usually is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is compacted or drawn in, the forklift becomes much narrower compared to the regular forklift.
Operator Position
Reach trucks are designed so the driver could stand while in operation of the machinery. This is a contrast to the standard forklift where the driver is usually sitting. The standing operation area lessens the amount of room needed for the compartment of the operator, enabling the equipment to accomplish an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
Aisle-ways can be made as narrow as 7 feet with a reach truck. Nearly all regular forklifts need a minimum aisle space of approximately 11 feet; therefore, using a reach truck gives about a savings of 5 feet on each aisle. When the warehouse is leased by the square foot basis, this is a large amount of space.
Unique Controls
A reach truck is normally steered using a rotating lever that is situated on a platform beside the operator. There is one more lever used to control reverse and forward, the mast and for extending the mast. These controls are somewhat different compared to typical forklift controls.
Load Capacity
The reach truck would usually have a load capacity less than standard forklifts. This is mainly because of the equipment's narrow design, that can lead to a very high center of gravity. When the mast is fully extended and the load is raised, this is actually true.