Reach Forklifts
Space is usually at a premium in the majority of distribution facilities or warehouse environments. The less space required for aisles in which to utilize equipment, the more space overall you would have to store goods and products. Thus, specialized equipment has been intended to be used in extremely narrow aisles to be able to maximize space and efficiency.
Reach Trucks
A reach forklift is a specific piece of machine which has a mast which extends away from the body of the forklift. Normally, it is attached with a scissor mechanism. When the scissor is drawn in or compacted, the forklift becomes a lot 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 regular forklift where the driver is usually sitting. The standing operation area lessens the amount of room required for the driver compartment, enabling the equipment to accomplish an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
Aisle-ways can be made as narrow as 7 feet with a reach truck. Nearly all standard lift trucks require a minimum aisle space of about 11 feet; thus, using a reach truck gives roughly a savings of 5 feet on each and every 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 used to control forward and reverse, the mast and for extending the mast. These controls are somewhat different compared to standard forklift controls.
Load Capacity
The reach truck will usually have a load capacity less than regular forklifts. This is largely due to the narrow design of the machinery, which can cause a very high center of gravity. When the load is lifted and the mast is fully extended, this is actually true.