Reach Forklifts
Space is usually at a premium in the majority of distribution centers or warehouse environments. The less space required for aisles in which to operate machines, the more room overall you would have for the storage of goods and products. For this reason, specialized machine has been intended for operating in really narrow aisles so as to maximize efficiency and space.
Reach Trucks
A reach forklift is a specialized type of equipment that has a mast that extends away from the body of the forklift. It usually is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is drawn in or compacted, the forklift becomes much narrower that the standard forklift.
Operator Position
Most reach trucks are designed so that the operator is standing while using the unit. This is a contrast to the standard forklift where the driver is normally sitting. The standing operation area lessens the amount of room required for the operator compartment, allowing the machine to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
With a reach truck, aisles could be made as narrow as 7 feet. Most typical lift trucks need a minimum aisle space of approximately 11 feet; hence, using a reach truck provides approximately a savings of 5 feet on each and every aisle. When renting a warehouse on a square foot basis, this is a significant amount of space.
Unique Controls
Normally, a reach truck is steered using a rotating lever located beside the driver on a platform. There is one more 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 load capacity for a reach truck is less than that of a standard forklift, depending on the model. This is mainly due to the narrow design of the machinery, that can cause a very high center of gravity. When the load is raised and the mast is extended fully, this is actually true.