Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The kind of electric truck that is made to function within narrow aisles is called a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck could turn in the aisle since standard storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide and this is sufficient space. Nevertheless, narrow aisles could be about 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space requires specific lift truck models which are capable of tight turns, small, could put away loads without turning. The popular types of narrow-aisle trucks are order pickers, reach trucks and turret trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
Reach trucks were the first narrow-aisle lift truck to be manufactured for warehouse applications. These small trucks could turn easily in narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the need for a huge counterweight. Instead, stability is provided by outrigger arms that extend in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this particular design is that the outrigger arms could hinder access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get close enough. These trucks truly work well inside a warehouse which is well lit, has even, clean floors, enough turning space and good flow of traffic.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck includes forks on the side which turn. The forks turn 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load can face forward while the operator drives down the aisle. When it stops at the designated storage location, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and raise the load to their full extension, and next easily deposit the load prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks are available with a wire guidance system that keeps the truck on its path in very narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.