Narrow Aisle and very Narrow Aisle Trucks: Certain forklifts have VNA features or NA features. In order to operate safely and efficiently, the majority of counterbalanced trucks need a minimum of 11 feet of aisle width. NA trucks however, could operate in narrow aisles that measure 8 to 10 feet wide. Also, VNA or very narrow aisle trucks can function in aisles which are 6 feet wide.
NA and VNA trucks provide many advantages since they make it possible for warehouses to be built with narrower aisles. This results in the warehouse being able to successfully store many more products in a particular space, improving cube use. The loads moved by NA and Very narrow Aisle trucks usually are limited to roughly 3000 and 5000 pounds. Reach trucks are capable of operating in narrow aisle. Order selectors, turret trucks and rotating mast trucks could work within narrow or very narrow aisles, depending on the specific unit.
Reach Trucks: Specifically made for storage and retrieval, reach trucks are made with outriggers and telescoping forks which allows the operator to pick up and retract a load over the outriggers. These models are not suitable for moving loads quickly over long distances nor for loading and unloading trucks. Like 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 similar to typical sit-down forklifts. The main difference is that their masts are able to rotate in one direction, to a 90 degree angle. This feature enables them to operate in a narrow aisle condition. Turret trucks are able to work in narrow or very narrow aisle places. Similar to order selectors, these machines are capable of lifting both the load and the operator. Moreover, 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 in very narrow aisles. Therefore, the operator can concentrate on the work load at hand as they doesn't need to focus any energy on their driving skills. Because turret trucks are considered "operator-up" trucks, they could be used for picking cases and items as well as full pallet handling.