Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck that is designed to function within narrow aisles is known as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. Typical storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide, enough space for a counterbalanced lift truck to turn within the aisle. On the other hand, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area requires specialized lift truck models that are small, capable of tight turns, could put away loads without pivoting. The popular kinds of narrow-aisle trucks are order pickers, reach trucks and turret trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
Reach trucks were the very first narrow-aisle lift truck to be developed for warehouse applications. These small trucks could easily turn in narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the need for a large counterweight. Instead, stability is provided by outrigger arms that extend in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can inhibit access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get near enough. These trucks really work well in a warehouse that is well lit, has clean, even floors, good traffic flow and enough turning space.
Turret trucks
The turret truck design has turning forks on side of the truck. The forks turn 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load faces 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 are available 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.