Reach Forklifts
Space is usually at a premium in the majority of distribution centers or warehouse environments. The less space required for aisles in which to operate machinery, the more room overall you will have to store products and goods. Hence, particular equipment has been intended to be utilized in extremely narrow aisles so that efficiency and space can be maximized.
Reach Trucks
The specific reach lift truck has a mast which extends away from the forklifts body. Normally, it is attached with a scissor apparatus. When the scissor is drawn in or compacted, the forklift becomes much narrower that the typical forklift.
Operator Position
Most reach trucks are designed so that the operator is standing while utilizing the unit. This is a contrast to the standard lift truck where the operator is usually sitting. The standing operation area reduces the amount of room required for the driver compartment, allowing the machinery to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
Aisle-ways can be made as narrow as 7 feet with a reach truck. Nearly all typical lift trucks require a minimum aisle space of approximately 11 feet; hence, utilizing a reach truck gives about a savings of 5 feet per aisle. When renting a warehouse on a square foot basis, this is a large amount of space.
Unique Controls
A reach truck is normally steered using a rotating lever which is situated on a platform beside the operator. There is one more lever utilized to control the mast as well as for extending the mast and also to control forward and reverse. These controls are quite different compared to standard forklift controls.
Load Capacity
The reach truck would normally have a load capacity less than standard forklifts. This is largely due to the narrow design of the machinery, that can result in a really high center of gravity. When the mast is fully extended and the load is lifted, this is actually true.