Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The kind of electric truck that is made to operate within narrow aisles is known as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck can turn within the aisle since typical storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide and this is sufficient space. Nevertheless, narrow aisles could be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area requires specific types of lift trucks which 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
The first types of narrow-aisle lift trucks developed 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 huge counterweight. Instead, stability is provided by outrigger arms that extend in front of the truck. The downside of this particular design is that the outrigger arms could inhibit access to the storage rack as the truck cannot get near enough. These types of trucks really work well within a warehouse which is well lit, has even, clean floors, good flow of traffic and ample turning space.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck consists of forks on the side which turn. The forks pivot 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load can face forward whilst the operator drives down the aisle. When it stops at the designated storage place, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and next smoothly deposit the load prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks are available with a wire guidance system that keeps the truck on its path in very narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.