Narrow Aisle and very Narrow Aisle Trucks: Certain forklifts have NA features or VNA features. To be able to operate safely and efficiently, the majority of counterbalanced trucks need a minimum of 11 feet of aisle width. NA trucks however, are able to operate in narrow aisles which measure 8 to 10 feet wide. In addition, very narrow aisle or VNA trucks could function in aisles as narrow as 6 feet wide.
The advantage of using an NA and VNA truck over a standard lift is that it makes it possible for warehouses to be built with narrower aisles. The wider aisles within the warehouses enable for more storage of things in a particular space, that improves cube utilization. The loads transported by Very Narrow Aisle and Narrow Aisle trucks usually are limited to approximately 3000 and 5000 pounds. Reach trucks are capable of operating in narrow aisle. Rotating mast trucks, order selectors and turret trucks are able to operate within narrow or very narrow aisles, depending on the particular unit.
Reach Trucks: Specifically designed for storage and retrieval, reach trucks are made with telescoping forks and outriggers which allows the operator to lift and retract a load over the outriggers. These models are not the best suited for transporting loads quickly over long distances nor for loading and unloading trucks. Similar to the order selector, reach trucks can be available for lifting heights that are higher than 30 feet.
Turret Trucks and Rotating-Mast Trucks: Rotating-mast trucks are like standard sit-down forklifts. The main distinction is that their masts are able to rotate in one direction, to a 90 degree angle. This particular feature allows them to function in a narrow aisle situation. Turret trucks are able to work in very narrow or narrow aisle places. Similar to order selectors, these equipment are capable of elevating both the operator and the load. Additionally, they are able to enable the operator to handle loads on either side of an aisle without re-entering and exiting the aisle.
Turret trucks are normally rail or wire guided when used within very narrow aisles. Thus, the operator could concentrate on the work load at hand because they doesn't have to focus any energy on their driving skills. Because turret trucks are considered "operator-up" trucks, they can be used for picking cases and items in addition to full pallet handling.