Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck which is designed to function within narrow aisles is referred to as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck could turn in the aisle since typical storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide and this is adequate space. On the other hand, narrow aisles can be about 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area needs specific types of lift trucks that are small, capable of tight turns, and able to put away loads without turning. The common kinds of narrow-aisle trucks are turret trucks, order pickers and reach trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
Reach trucks were the very first narrow-aisle lift truck to be manufactured for warehouse use. These small trucks can easily turn in narrow aisles because their design has eliminated the need for a huge counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms extending in front of the truck. The downside of this design is that the outrigger arms could hinder access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get near enough. These types of trucks truly work well in a warehouse that is well lit, has even, clean floors, ample space for turning and good traffic flow.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck includes forks on the side which pivot. The forks pivot 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load could face forward whilst the operator drives down the aisle. When it stops at the designated storage place, the forks of the truck turn to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and then easily deposit the load before resuming their original position. Turret trucks can come with a wire guidance system which keeps the truck on its path in very narrow aisles. Operators remain at floor level in man-down trucks.