Reach Forklifts
Space is normally at a premium in most distribution centers or warehouse environments. The less space needed for aisles in which to operate machines, the more space overall you would have for the storage of goods and products. For this reason, specialized machine has been designed to be used in extremely narrow aisles in order to maximize space and efficiency.
Reach Trucks
The specialized reach lift truck has a mast which extends away from the forklifts body. It often is attached with a scissor apparatus. When the scissor is drawn in or compacted, the forklift becomes much narrower compared to the regular forklift.
Operator Position
Reach trucks are designed so the driver could stand while in operation of the machinery. This is a contrast to the regular forklift where the operator is usually sitting. The standing operation area reduces the amount of room needed for the compartment of the operator, allowing the machinery to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
With a reach truck, aisles could be made as narrow as 7 feet. Nearly all typical forklifts require a minimum aisle space of about 11 feet; hence, using 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 considerable amount of space.
Unique Controls
Usually, a reach truck is steered using a rotating lever situated beside the operator on a platform. There is a different lever utilized to control forward and reverse, the mast as well as for extending the mast. These controls are somewhat different compared to typical forklift controls.
Load Capacity
Normally, the load capacity for a reach truck is less than that of a standard forklift, depending on the kind. This is largely because of the narrow design of the equipment, that could result in a really high center of gravity. When the mast is extended fully and the load is lifted, this is particularly true.