Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck which is made to function in narrow aisles is referred to as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. Typical storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide, enough space for a counterbalanced lift truck to turn within the aisle. Nonetheless, narrow aisles could be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area requires specific 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 very first types of narrow-aisle lift trucks developed for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks can easily turn in narrow aisles since their design has eliminated the requirement for a large counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms that extend in front of the truck. The downside of this design is that the outrigger arms could hinder access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get close enough. These kinds of trucks truly work well in a warehouse which is well lit, has even, clean floors, good traffic flow and enough turning space.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck has turning forks on side of the truck. The forks turn 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load could face forward while the operator drives down the aisle. When it stops at the designated storage place, the truck's forks turn to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and next easily deposit the load before 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.