Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck that is designed to operate in narrow aisles is referred to as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. Typical storage aisles are just 3.6 meters wide, sufficient space for a counterbalanced lift truck to pivot in the aisle. Nevertheless, narrow aisles can be about 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space needs specialized lift truck models which are small, capable of tight turns, can put away loads without turning. The common types of narrow-aisle trucks are order pickers, reach trucks and turret trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The first kinds of narrow-aisle lift trucks developed for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks can turn without difficulty in narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the need for a huge 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 inhibit access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get close enough. These types of trucks work well in a warehouse which is well lit, has even, clean floors, good traffic flow and ample space for turning.
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 faces forward whilst the operator drives down the aisle. When stopped at the designated storage place, the truck's forks pivot to the storage side and raise the load to their full extension, and then smoothly deposit the load prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks are available 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.