Reach Forklifts
Space is usually at a premium in nearly all distribution facilities or warehouse environments. The less space required for aisles in which to utilize machines, the more space overall you will have to store products and goods. For this reason, specialized machine has been designed to be used in very narrow aisles so that space and efficiency could be maximized.
Reach Trucks
The specific reach forklift has a mast that extends away from the body of the forklift. It usually is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is compacted or drawn in, the forklift becomes a lot narrower that the regular forklift.
Operator Position
Reach trucks are designed so the driver can stand while in operation of the equipment. This is a contrast to the regular lift truck where the operator is usually sitting. The standing operation area reduces the amount of room required for the operator compartment, enabling the machine to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
Aisle-ways could be made as narrow as 7 feet with a reach truck. The majority of standard lift trucks require a minimum aisle space of about 11 feet; hence, using a reach truck provides about 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 normally steered using a rotating lever which is situated on a platform beside the operator. There is another lever used to control reverse and forward, the mast as well as for extending the mast. These controls are somewhat different than regular forklift controls.
Load Capacity
Normally, the reach truck's load capacity is less than that of a regular forklift, depending on the type. This is mainly due to the narrow design of the machine, which can cause a very high center of gravity. When the load is lifted and the mast is fully extended, this is particularly true.