Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck that is made to operate within narrow aisles is called a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck can turn in the aisle since typical storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide and this is enough space. However, narrow aisles can be about 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area needs specialized lift truck models which are small, capable of tight turns, and able to put away loads without pivoting. The popular kinds of narrow-aisle trucks are reach trucks, turret trucks and orderpickers.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The very first types of narrow-aisle lift trucks developed for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks can easily turn in narrow aisles because their design has eliminated the requirement for a big counterweight. Instead, stability is provided by outrigger arms extending in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can hinder 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 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 faces forward whilst the operator drives down the aisle. Once stopped at the designated storage location, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and raise the load to their full extension, and then easily 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 very narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.