Reach Forklifts
Space is usually at a premium in nearly all distribution centers or warehouse settings. The less space needed for aisles in which to use machines, the more space overall you would have to store goods and products. For this reason, specialized equipment has been intended to be used in extremely narrow aisles in order to maximize space and efficiency.
Reach Trucks
A reach forklift is a specific kind of machine which has a mast which extends away from the body of the forklift. It normally is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is compacted or drawn in, the forklift becomes much narrower that the regular forklift.
Operator Position
Reach trucks are designed so the driver could stand while in operation of the machinery. This is a contrast to the standard lift truck where the driver is usually sitting. The standing operation area lessens the amount of room required for the operator compartment, enabling the machine to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
With a reach truck, aisles could be made as narrow as 7 feet. Most typical lift trucks require a minimum aisle space of around 11 feet; thus, using a reach truck gives roughly a savings of 5 feet on each aisle. When the warehouse is leased by the square foot basis, this is a large amount of space.
Unique Controls
Usually, a reach truck is steered using a rotating lever located beside the driver on a platform. There is a different lever utilized to control reverse and forward, the mast as well as for extending the mast. These controls are quite different than standard forklift controls.
Load Capacity
The reach truck will normally have a load capacity less than standard forklifts. This is mainly because of the equipment's narrow design, which could lead to a really high center of gravity. When the load is raised and the mast is extended fully, this is actually true.