Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck that is made to function within narrow aisles is called a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck can turn in the aisle as typical storage aisles are just 3.6 meters wide and this is adequate space. However, narrow aisles can be around 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space needs specialized lift truck models which are small, capable of tight turns, could put away loads without pivoting. The common types of narrow-aisle trucks are order pickers, reach trucks and turret trucks.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
Reach trucks were the first narrow-aisle lift truck to be manufactured for warehouse applications. These small trucks can easily turn within narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the requirement for a large 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 can inhibit access to the storage rack as the truck cannot get close enough. These types of trucks truly work well in a warehouse that is well lit, has clean, even floors, good traffic flow and ample space for turning.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck has turning forks on side of the truck. The forks pivot 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load could face forward while the operator drives down the aisle. When it stops at the designated storage place, the truck's forks pivot 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 could come 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.