Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck that is made to function in narrow aisles is known as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. Standard storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide, adequate space for a counterbalanced lift truck to pivot within the aisle. However, narrow aisles could be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space requires specific kinds of lift trucks that are small, capable of tight turns, and able to put away loads without turning. The common kinds 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 use are the reach trucks. These small trucks can easily turn in narrow aisles since their design has eliminated the need for a large counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms that extend in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this design is that the outrigger arms can hinder access to the storage rack as the truck cannot get close enough. These kinds of trucks work well within a warehouse which is well lit, has even, clean floors, good flow of traffic and ample 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 can face forward whilst the operator drives down the aisle. Once it stops at the designated storage location, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and then smoothly deposit the load prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks are available with a wire guidance system that keeps the truck on its path in really narrow aisles. Operators remain at floor level in man-down trucks.