Reach Forklifts
Space is normally at a premium in most distribution centers or warehouse settings. The less space required for aisles in which to use equipment, the more space overall you will have for the storage of goods and products. Hence, specialized equipment has been designed for operating in really narrow aisles so that space and efficiency could be maximized.
Reach Trucks
The specific reach lift truck has a mast that extends away from the forklifts body. Normally, it is attached with a scissor apparatus. When the scissor is drawn in or compacted, the forklift becomes much narrower that the standard forklift.
Operator Position
Reach trucks are designed so the operator can stand while in operation of the equipment. This is a contrast to the standard forklift where the driver is usually sitting. The standing operation area reduces the amount of room required for the operator compartment, enabling the equipment to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
With a reach truck, aisles could be made as narrow as 7 feet. The majority of typical lift trucks need a minimum aisle space of roughly 11 feet; hence, using a reach truck gives approximately 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 which is situated on a platform beside the operator. There is another lever utilized to control the mast as well as for extending the mast and also to control forward and reverse. These controls are somewhat different than standard forklift controls.
Load Capacity
The reach truck would usually have a load capacity less than regular forklifts. This is mainly because of the narrow design of the equipment, which could lead to a really high center of gravity. When the mast is fully extended and the load is raised, this is particularly true.