Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks made to operate within narrow aisles. Typical storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide, enough space for a counterbalanced lift truck to pivot in the aisle. On the other hand, narrow aisles could be around 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area requires specific kinds of lift trucks which are small, capable of tight turns, could put away loads without pivoting. The common kinds of narrow-aisle trucks are turret trucks, order pickers and reach trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The first kinds of narrow-aisle lift trucks manufactured for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks could turn with no trouble in narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the requirement for a big counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms which extend in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this particular design is that the outrigger arms could hinder access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get close enough. These types of trucks work well within a warehouse that is well lit, has clean, even floors, good traffic flow and ample turning space.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck includes forks on the side which pivot. The forks turn 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load faces forward whilst the operator drives down the aisle. When stopped at the designated storage location, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and next smoothly 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 really narrow aisles. Operators remain at floor level in man-down trucks.