Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The type of electric truck which is made to operate within narrow aisles is called a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. A counterbalanced lift truck could turn within the aisle since standard storage aisles are 3.6 meters wide and this is sufficient space. Nonetheless, narrow aisles could be around 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow area requires specific types of lift trucks that are small, capable of tight turns, could put away loads without turning. The common types of narrow-aisle trucks are turret trucks, order pickers and reach 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 as 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 downside of this particular design is that the outrigger arms could hinder access to the storage rack because the truck cannot get near enough. These trucks work well within a warehouse which is well lit, has clean, even floors, good flow of traffic 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 could face forward while the operator drives down the aisle. When it stops at the designated storage place, the forks of the truck turn to the storage side and lift the load to their full extension, and next easily 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.