Narrow Aisle and very Narrow Aisle Trucks: Certain forklifts have NA features or VNA features. In order to operate safely and efficiently, nearly all counterbalanced trucks require a minimum of 11 feet of aisle width. Narrow or NA trucks on the other hand, can function in narrow aisles that are 8 to 10 feet wide. Furthermore, very narrow aisle or VNA trucks can operate in aisles which are 6 feet wide.
The advantage of using an NA and VNA truck over a conventional lift is that it makes it possible for warehouses to be constructed with narrower aisles. The wider aisles within the warehouses allow for more storage of things in a particular area, that improves cube utilization. The loads transported utilizing Narrow Aisle and Very narrow Aisle trucks usually are limited to about 3000 and 5000 pounds. Reach trucks could operate in narrow aisle. Order selectors, turret trucks and rotating mast trucks could operate in narrow or very narrow aisles, depending on the particular model.
Reach Trucks: Specifically made for retrieval and storage, reach trucks are made with outriggers and telescoping forks which enables the operator to pick up and retract a load over the outriggers. These models are not the best suited for loading and unloading trucks, nor for moving loads quickly over long distances. Similar to the order selector, reach trucks can be available for lifting heights that are greater than 30 feet.
Turret Trucks and Rotating-Mast Trucks: Like typical sit-down forklifts, rotating mast trucks have masts that can rotate in one direction, to a 90 degree angle. This particular feature allows them to function within a narrow aisle situation. Turret trucks could operate in very narrow or narrow aisle locations. Like order selectors, these machinery could lift both the cargo and the operator. In addition, they can enable the operator to deal with loads on either side of an aisle without exiting and re-entering the aisle.
Turret trucks are usually wire or rail guided when they are utilized within very narrow aisles. Therefore, the operator can focus 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 could be utilized for item and case picking as well as full pallet handling.