Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck which is made to operate in narrow aisles is referred to as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck can turn in the aisle since typical storage aisles are 3.6 meters wide and this is adequate space. Nevertheless, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space needs specific lift truck models that are small, capable of tight turns, can put away loads without pivoting. The common types 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 applications are the reach trucks. These small trucks can turn easily in narrow aisles since their design has eliminated the requirement for a huge 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 hinder access to the storage rack as the truck cannot get near enough. These types of trucks truly work well within a warehouse which is well lit, has clean, even floors, good traffic flow and enough space for turning.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck has pivoting forks on side of the truck. The forks pivot 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load can face forward while 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.