Reach Forklifts
Space is usually at a premium in nearly all distribution centers or warehouse environments. The less space required for aisles in which to use equipment, the more room overall you would have to store products and goods. Hence, particular equipment has been designed for operating in extremely narrow aisles so that efficiency and space could be maximized.
Reach Trucks
The specific reach forklift has a mast that extends away from the forklifts body. Normally, it is attached with a scissor apparatus. When the scissor is compacted or drawn in, the forklift becomes much narrower that the typical forklift.
Operator Position
Most reach trucks are designed so that the driver is standing while using the unit. This is a contrast to the typical forklift where the operator is usually sitting. The standing operation area lessens the amount of room needed for the compartment of the operator, allowing the machinery to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
Aisle-ways could be made as narrow as 7 feet with a reach truck. Most typical forklifts need a minimum aisle space of roughly 11 feet; therefore, using a reach truck gives around a savings of 5 feet per aisle. When the warehouse is leased by the square foot basis, this is a considerable amount of space.
Unique Controls
Normally, a reach truck is steered using a rotating lever situated beside the operator on a platform. There is a different lever used to control reverse and forward, the mast and for extending the mast. These controls are quite different than regular forklift controls.
Load Capacity
The reach truck would usually have a load capacity less than standard forklifts. This is largely because of the narrow design of the equipment, which could result in a really high center of gravity. When the load is lifted and the mast is fully extended, this is particularly true.