Reach Forklifts
Space is generally at a premium in nearly all distribution centers or warehouse settings. The less space required for aisles in which to use machines, the more space overall you will have for the storage of products and goods. Hence, specialized machine has been designed for operating in really narrow aisles so that space and efficiency can be maximized.
Reach Trucks
The specific reach forklift has a mast that extends away from the forklifts body. It usually is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is compacted or drawn in, the forklift becomes much narrower that the regular forklift.
Operator Position
The majority of reach trucks are designed so that the operator is standing while utilizing the unit. This is a contrast to the typical lift truck where the driver is usually sitting. The standing operation area reduces the amount of room required for the compartment of the operator, allowing the equipment to accomplish an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
With a reach truck, aisles could be made as narrow as 7 feet. Most regular lift trucks need a minimum aisle space of approximately 11 feet; hence, using a reach truck provides roughly a savings of 5 feet on each aisle. When renting a warehouse on a square foot basis, this is a significant amount of space.
Unique Controls
A reach truck is normally steered using a rotating lever that is located on a platform beside the driver. There is another lever utilized to control forward and reverse, the mast as well as for extending the mast. These controls are quite 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 mainly because of the equipment's narrow design, that can lead to a very high center of gravity. When the mast is extended fully and the load is lifted, this is actually true.