Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck that is designed to operate in narrow aisles is called a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck could turn in the aisle as typical storage aisles are just 3.6 meters wide and this is adequate space. Then again, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area needs specialized lift truck models which are capable of tight turns, small, and able to put away loads without pivoting. The popular types of narrow-aisle trucks are order pickers, reach trucks and turret trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
Reach trucks were the very first narrow-aisle lift truck to be manufactured for warehouse use. These small trucks could easily turn within narrow aisles since their design has eliminated the need for a big counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms that extend in front of the truck. The disadvantage of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can inhibit access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get close enough. These kinds of trucks work well within a warehouse which is well lit, has even, clean floors, good traffic flow and enough turning space.
Turret trucks
The turret truck design consists of forks on the side which pivot. The forks turn 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load faces forward while the operator drives down the aisle. Once stopped at the designated storage place, the forks of the truck pivot to the storage side and raise the load to their full extension, and then easily deposit the load prior to resuming their original position. Turret trucks could come with a wire guidance system which keeps the truck on its path in very narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.