Reach Forklifts
Space is generally at a premium in most distribution centers or warehouse environments. The less space needed for aisles in which to use equipment, the more room overall you would have for the storage of products and goods. Hence, specialized equipment has been designed for operating in very narrow aisles in order to maximize space and efficiency.
Reach Trucks
A reach forklift is a specific type of machine that has a mast that extends away from the body of the forklift. It normally is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is drawn in or compacted, the forklift becomes much narrower compared to the regular forklift.
Operator Position
The majority of reach trucks are designed so that the operator is standing while using the unit. This is a contrast to the standard lift truck where the driver is usually sitting. The standing operation area lessens the amount of room needed for the compartment of the operator, enabling the machine to accomplish an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
Aisle-ways can be made as narrow as 7 feet with a reach truck. The majority of regular forklifts require a minimum aisle space of roughly 11 feet; hence, utilizing a reach truck gives approximately a savings of 5 feet per aisle. When the warehouse is leased by the square foot basis, this is a significant amount of space.
Unique Controls
A reach truck is usually steered using a rotating lever which is situated on a platform beside the driver. There is another lever utilized to control the mast and for extending the mast and also to control forward and reverse. 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 mainly because of the equipment's narrow design, that can cause a very high center of gravity. When the load is lifted and the mast is fully extended, this is actually true.