Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck which is made to operate in narrow aisles is known as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck can turn in the aisle because standard storage aisles are just 3.6 meters wide and this is enough space. Then again, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area requires specific lift truck models that are small, capable of tight turns, and able to put away loads without pivoting. The common 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 applications are the reach trucks. These small trucks could easily turn within narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the requirement for a big counterweight. Instead, stability is provided by outrigger arms which extend in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this design is that the outrigger arms can hinder access to the storage rack since the truck cannot get close enough. These trucks work well within a warehouse that is well lit, has clean, even floors, enough space for turning and good flow of traffic.
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 location, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and lift 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 which keeps the truck on its path in really narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.