Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Burbank

Used Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Burbank - Getting items from one warehouse location to another and to and from the loading docks is the focus of warehousing. Focus is often on space saving tools and the layout of the building. Narrow aisles need specific solutions to allow goods to be accessed and stored properly. More space can be given to storage as less space is needed for accessing the aisle. Configuring the warehouse is known as warehouse optimization. Warehouse Optimization Implementing very narrow aisle warehouse optimization is a huge benefit of warehouse optimization. One of the most important benefits is the increased storage space. Since very narrow forklift trucks have been designed to take up significantly less space, warehouse aisle widths can be reduced to half the width needed by traditional forklifts. Numerous narrow aisle forklifts deliver better stacking heights to increase the storage capacity on a square foot basis. Costs can be drastically decreased with a narrow aisle forklift compared to a standard aisle configuration as less warehouse space is required for the same quantity of stock. Most urban locations have expensive square footage; therefore, reducing costs is a benefit to warehouses and their business. Warehouse storage can be increased up to eighty percent with careful planning when a narrow aisle width configuration is utilized. In addition, a very narrow aisle layout allows for more rack faces as well as better access to products. This usually equates to less travel time gathering and storing product as more product is located within a smaller, more accessible area. It is common for warehouses to use a very narrow or narrow aisle layout. Less than eleven feet of aisle width is needed by narrow aisles. These widths reduce even further to roughly 6.5 feet for very narrow aisles. Either of these widths drastically increases storage potential. However, they also create challenges when turning within the aisles using forklifts for stocking and order picking. These challenges are met by using very narrow forklifts to gain access and complete tasks. It is necessary to know the dimensions of the aisle when selecting a forklift for a certain job. Having the right aisle dimensions will save money and time instead of purchasing the wrong forklift that won’t be able to conquer the applications. Finally, it is critical that any utilities, posts or columns are taken into account before settling on a specific narrow aisle forklift design as these may affect access to aisles by some forklifts or prevent warehouse optimization. Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks As these units are mostly powered by electricity, rechargeable batteries are popular for very narrow aisle forklifts. These very narrow aisle trucks are more commonly available as stand-up riders, which helps increase productivity and operator comfort. The most commonly used types of very narrow aisle forklift trucks are: 1. Reach trucks 2. Order pickers; 3. End-control riders; and 4. Turret or swing-mast. Reach Forklift Trucks Reach trucks were designed as a version of the rider stacker forklift but specially modified for use in narrow aisles. It got its name by its function of reaching its forks forward to get to a load. The moving mast and the moving carriage are two types of reach trucks. The moving carriage works by raising and lowering the carriage and the driver. The moving mast raises and lowers the forks as the operator remains at ground level. The moving mast reach truck is generally considered the safer of the two types of reach trucks. Reach trucks use a pantograph system, a type of jointed framework, which allows the operator to reach for or place a load without the need to move the forklift itself. Order Pickers Order pickers have been created to pick items from difficult, high racking systems. They are used for smaller picking items that can be lifted and moved by hand. These order pickers work by lifting the operator up to the level of goods in order to identify and pick the specific item or items necessary to fill an order. End-Control Riders End-control riders can pick up loads along the floor level and transport goods horizontally instead of transporting items over heights. Turret or Swing-Mast Forklift The turret or swing mast very narrow aisle forklifts have a swivel mast that pivots and articulates. Pallets can be set on either the right or left side of the forklift due to the machine’s ability to use its’ swinging mast. Guided Very Narrow Aisle Trucks Very narrow aisle forklift trucks can be guided by rail or wire down the aisles. Because the forklift is guided, thereby reducing the possibility of the forklift bumping racks while moving down the aisle, the aisles can be extremely narrow. For rail-guided systems, a series of rails are installed into the floor, on both sides of the aisle, and run along the floor for the length of the aisle, curving around the end of the aisle. The forklift is fitted with special wheel guides that slide into the rails, preventing the forklift from moving outside the rail guards. Wire-guidance forklift systems install wires on the floor instead of rails and the wires run down the middle of the aisle. The wire-guides function similarly to the rail systems except the forklift has a wire-guide system to prevent the machine from traveling where it is not supposed to. Work Site Considerations Certain essential considerations need to be dealt with before using a narrow aisle configuration. Because these very narrow aisle configurations include very tall racking systems, the condition of the floor and the construction of the racks must be done properly in order to avoid potentially disastrous outcomes. There are four areas which must be meticulously prepared before setting up a racking system and must be continuously monitored and maintained throughout the operation of the warehousing system: 1. The floor must be level; 2. Cracks must be repaired; 3. Load capacity of floor must be appropriate; and 4. The racks must be plumb. Level Floor Due to the racking system height, any minor floor slope can gravely impact how plumb the racks are, particularly over time if loads are placed and removed repeatedly on the racks. The height of the racking system means that any minute floor slope can have a negative impact on how straight the racks are, especially over time when loads are continually removed and placed on the racks. Without a level floor foundation, the rack stability could be compromised. Crack Repair Cracks in the floor ideally should be fixed once they are noticed to ensure everyone’s safety. Cracks may affect the floor’s level and, when they are approximately 3/8 inches wide, will need to be properly filled with a material at least as hard as the surrounding floor. Floor Load Capacity The floor needs to meet specific minimum requirements prior to a narrow aisle configuration. The floor should have three thousand psi concrete minimum and contain evenly distributed rebar at three to four inches under the surface. Depending on the configuration and load requirements, extra reinforcements may be necessary. Plumb Racks The racking system is essential to the whole process and needs to be installed properly. If installed improperly, there is a great chance of rack failure. Every rack needs to be plumb to ensure a safe system and work environment. Rack shims are recommended to make sure the racks are plumb within one inch at the thirty- foot rack height. If the above measures are not taken or are improperly implemented, it is likely to cause a racking failure. Racking failure can kill or injure employees, damage equipment and result in horrible damage. Because of these reason, these measures are the most important part of implementing a narrow aisle configuration for warehousing optimization. Very Narrow Aisle Forklift PDF