Narrow Aisle Lift Trucks
The kind of electric truck which is made to function in narrow aisles is referred to as a Narrow Aisle Lift Truck. Standard storage aisles are only 3.6 meters wide, sufficient space for a counterbalanced lift truck to pivot in the aisle. Then again, narrow aisles can be 2.4 meters wide to as little as 1.8 meters. The narrow space requires specific kinds of lift trucks that are capable of tight turns, small, could put away loads without pivoting. The common types of narrow-aisle trucks are reach trucks, turret trucks and orderpickers.
Narrow-aisle reach trucks
The first kinds of narrow-aisle lift trucks manufactured for warehouse applications are the reach trucks. These small trucks can turn easily within narrow aisles because 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 design is that the outrigger arms can hinder access to the storage rack as the truck cannot get close enough. These trucks really work well inside a warehouse that is well lit, has even, clean floors, enough space for turning and good flow of traffic.
Turret trucks
The design of a turret truck includes forks on the side which pivot. The forks pivot 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 truck's forks pivot 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 can come with a wire guidance system which keeps the truck on its path in really narrow aisles. Operators remain at floor level in man-down trucks.