Reach Forklifts
Space is generally at a premium in most distribution centers or warehouse settings. The less space needed for aisles in which to utilize machinery, the more room overall you would have to store goods and products. Hence, particular equipment has been intended to be utilized in extremely narrow aisles so as to maximize efficiency and space.
Reach Trucks
A reach forklift is a specific piece of machinery which has a mast which 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 typical forklift.
Operator Position
The majority of reach trucks are designed so that the operator is standing while operating 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 driver compartment, enabling the equipment to accomplish an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
With a reach truck, aisles can be made as narrow as 7 feet. Nearly all standard lift trucks require a minimum aisle space of approximately 11 feet; therefore, utilizing a reach truck gives around a savings of 5 feet per aisle. When renting a warehouse on a square foot basis, this is a considerable amount of space.
Unique Controls
A reach truck is normally steered using a rotating lever that is located on a platform beside the operator. There is another lever used to control the mast as well as for extending the mast and also to control reverse and forward. These controls are somewhat different than standard forklift controls.
Load Capacity
Normally, the load capacity for a reach truck is less than that of a standard lift truck, depending on the type. This is mainly because of the equipment's narrow design, that can result in a really high center of gravity. When the mast is extended fully and the load is raised, this is particularly true.