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 can turn within the aisle as typical storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide and this is enough space. Then again, narrow aisles could be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area requires specific kinds of lift trucks that are small, capable of tight turns, could put away loads without pivoting. The popular types of narrow-aisle trucks are turret trucks, order pickers and reach trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The very first kinds of narrow-aisle lift trucks manufactured for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks could easily turn within narrow aisles because their design has eliminated the need for a big counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms extending in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this design is that the outrigger arms can hinder access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get close enough. These types of trucks really work well within a warehouse which is well lit, has even, clean floors, ample space for turning and good traffic flow.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck has pivoting forks on side of the truck. The forks turn 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 place, the forks of the truck turn to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and then smoothly deposit the load before resuming their original position. Turret trucks could 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.