Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks are electric trucks made to function in narrow aisles. A counterbalanced lift truck can turn within the aisle because standard storage aisles are just 3.6 meters wide and this is adequate space. Then again, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area requires specific types of lift trucks which are capable of tight turns, small, could 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 use are the reach trucks. These small trucks can turn easily within narrow aisles because their design has eliminated the requirement for a large counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms which extend in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this design is that the outrigger arms could inhibit access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get near enough. These kinds of trucks really work well inside a warehouse which is well lit, has even, clean floors, good flow of traffic and enough turning space.
Turret trucks
The turret truck design 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. Once it stops 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 prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks could 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.