Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The kind of electric truck which is made to operate within narrow aisles is referred to as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck could turn within the aisle because standard storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide and this is sufficient space. However, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area needs specific lift truck models which are capable of tight turns, small, and able to put away loads without pivoting. The common types of narrow-aisle trucks are order pickers, reach trucks and turret trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The very first types of narrow-aisle lift trucks manufactured for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks can turn with no trouble within narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the requirement for a big counterweight. Instead, stability is provided by outrigger arms which extend in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this particular design is that the outrigger arms could inhibit access to the storage rack since the truck cannot get close enough. These trucks truly work well inside a warehouse which is well lit, has even, clean floors, good flow of traffic and ample turning space.
Turret trucks
The turret truck design consists of forks on the side that pivot. 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 pivot to the storage side and raise the load to their full extension, and next easily deposit the load before resuming their original position. Turret trucks can come with a wire guidance system that keeps the truck on its path in really narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.