Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck which is designed to function in narrow aisles is referred to as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck can turn within the aisle as typical storage aisles are just 3.6 meters wide and this is adequate space. Nonetheless, narrow aisles could be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space needs 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 reach trucks, turret trucks and orderpickers.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The very first types of narrow-aisle lift trucks developed for warehouse applications are the reach trucks. These small trucks can easily turn within narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the need for a big counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms which extend in front of the truck. The downside of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can inhibit access to the storage rack as the truck cannot get close enough. These trucks really work well inside a warehouse which is well lit, has clean, even floors, good flow of traffic and enough turning space.
Turret trucks
The turret truck design has pivoting 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. Once it stops at the designated storage location, the truck's forks turn to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and then easily deposit the load before resuming their original position. Turret trucks can come with a wire guidance system that keeps the truck on its path in very narrow aisles. Operators remain at floor level in man-down trucks.