Reach Forklifts
Space is generally at a premium in the majority of distribution centers or warehouse settings. The less space needed for aisles in which to operate equipment, the more room overall you would have for the storage of products and goods. Therefore, particular equipment has been designed to be utilized in extremely narrow aisles in order to maximize efficiency and space.
Reach Trucks
A reach forklift is a specialized piece of machinery which has a mast which extends away from the forklift's body. Usually, it is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is drawn in or compacted, the forklift becomes a lot narrower compared to the regular forklift.
Operator Position
Reach trucks are designed so the operator can stand while in operation of the machinery. This is a contrast to the regular lift truck where the operator is usually sitting. The standing operation area reduces the amount of room needed for the driver compartment, allowing 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. Nearly all regular lift trucks require a minimum aisle space of about 11 feet; thus, utilizing a reach truck provides roughly a savings of 5 feet per aisle. When renting a warehouse on a 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 used to control reverse and forward, the mast as well as for extending the mast. These controls are quite different than regular forklift controls.
Load Capacity
Normally, the reach truck's load capacity is less than that of a standard lift truck, depending on the type. This is mainly due to the machine's narrow design, which could cause a very high center of gravity. When the load is raised and the mast is fully extended, this is particularly true.