Reach Forklifts
Space is generally at a premium in most distribution centers or warehouse environments. The less space needed for aisles in which to operate machines, the more room overall you would have to store goods and products. Therefore, specialized equipment has been intended for operating in very narrow aisles so as to maximize space and efficiency.
Reach Trucks
A reach forklift is a specialized piece of equipment that has a mast that extends away from the forklift's body. It normally is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is drawn in or compacted, the forklift becomes much narrower that the typical forklift.
Operator Position
Reach trucks are designed so the driver could stand while in operation of the equipment. This is a contrast to the typical forklift where the operator is usually sitting. The standing operation area reduces the amount of room required for the compartment of the operator, allowing the equipment to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
With a reach truck, aisles can be made as narrow as 7 feet. Nearly all typical lift trucks need a minimum aisle space of around 11 feet; thus, utilizing a reach truck provides about a savings of 5 feet on every aisle. When the warehouse is leased by the square foot basis, this is a significant amount of space.
Unique Controls
Usually, a reach truck is steered utilizing a rotating lever situated beside the driver on a platform. There is one more lever used to control the mast as well as for extending the mast and also to control forward and reverse. 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 lift truck, depending on the model. This is largely due to the narrow design of the equipment, which can result in a really high center of gravity. When the mast is extended fully and the load is lifted, this is particularly true.