Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks designed to operate in narrow aisles. A counterbalanced lift truck could turn in the aisle as standard storage aisles are just 3.6 meters wide and this is enough space. However, narrow aisles could be around 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space requires specialized lift truck models which are capable of tight turns, small, can put away loads without turning. The common types of narrow-aisle trucks are turret trucks, order pickers and reach trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The first types of narrow-aisle lift trucks manufactured for warehouse applications are the reach trucks. These small trucks can easily turn in narrow aisles because their design has eliminated the need for a big counterweight. Instead, stability is provided by outrigger arms extending in front of the truck. The downside of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can hinder access to the storage rack since the truck cannot get close enough. These kinds of trucks really work well in 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 has turning forks on side of the truck. The forks pivot 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 location, the forks of the truck turn to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and then easily deposit the load prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks can come with a wire guidance system which keeps the truck on its path in very narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.