Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The kind of electric truck which is made to function in narrow aisles is known as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck could turn in the aisle as typical storage aisles are 3.6 meters wide and this is enough space. Then again, narrow aisles can be around 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space requires specialized types of lift trucks which are capable of tight turns, small, could put away loads without turning. The popular kinds of narrow-aisle trucks are reach trucks, turret trucks and orderpickers.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The first types of narrow-aisle lift trucks developed for warehouse applications are the reach trucks. These small trucks could turn without problems in narrow aisles because 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 could inhibit access to the storage rack since the truck cannot get close enough. These kinds of trucks work well inside a warehouse that is well lit, has clean, even floors, good traffic flow and ample turning space.
Turret trucks
The turret truck design includes forks on the side which pivot. The forks pivot 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 place, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and raise the load to their full extension, and next smoothly deposit the load prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks could come with a wire guidance system that keeps the truck on its path in really narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.