Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck which is designed to operate within narrow aisles is known as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck could turn in the aisle as typical storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide and this is sufficient space. Then again, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area needs specific lift truck models that are small, capable of tight turns, can 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 first types of narrow-aisle lift trucks developed for warehouse use are the reach trucks. These small trucks could easily turn in narrow aisles as their design has eliminated the requirement for a large counterweight. Stability is instead provided by outrigger arms extending in front of the truck. The downside of this particular design is that the outrigger arms can inhibit access to the storage rack since the truck cannot get close enough. These kinds of trucks work well within a warehouse which is well lit, has clean, even floors, good flow of traffic and ample turning space.
Turret trucks
The turret truck design has turning forks on side of the truck. The forks pivot 90 degrees and move from side to side. The load faces forward while the operator drives down the aisle. When stopped at the designated storage place, the truck's forks turn to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and next smoothly deposit the load before resuming their original position. Turret trucks are available with a wire guidance system which keeps the truck on its path in really narrow aisles. In man-down trucks, operators remain at floor level.