Reach Forklifts
Space is usually at a premium in the majority of distribution facilities or warehouse settings. The less space required for aisles in which to use equipment, the more space overall you would have for the storage of goods and products. Therefore, particular machine has been intended for operating in extremely narrow aisles in order to maximize efficiency and space.
Reach Trucks
A reach forklift is a specific piece of machinery that has a mast that extends away from the forklift's body. It usually is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is drawn in or compacted, the forklift becomes much narrower that the standard forklift.
Operator Position
The majority of reach trucks are designed so that the driver is standing while using the unit. This is a contrast to the typical forklift where the operator is usually sitting. The standing operation area lessens the amount of room needed for the operator compartment, enabling the equipment to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
With a reach truck, aisles can be made as narrow as 7 feet. The majority of typical lift trucks need a minimum aisle space of roughly 11 feet; therefore, utilizing a reach truck provides about a savings of 5 feet on every aisle. When renting a warehouse on a square foot basis, this is a large amount of space.
Unique Controls
A reach truck is normally steered using a rotating lever which is located on a platform beside the operator. There is one more lever used to control reverse and forward, the mast and for extending the mast. These controls are somewhat different than regular forklift controls.
Load Capacity
The reach truck will normally have a load capacity less than standard forklifts. This is largely because of the narrow design of the machine, that could result in a very high center of gravity. When the load is raised and the mast is extended fully, this is particularly true.