Reach Forklifts
Space is generally at a premium in most distribution facilities or warehouse settings. The less space needed for aisles in which to operate equipment, the more space overall you would have for the storage of products and goods. Hence, specialized equipment has been designed to be utilized in extremely narrow aisles to be able to maximize efficiency and space.
Reach Trucks
A reach forklift is a specialized type of equipment which has a mast which extends away from the forklift's body. It normally is attached with a scissor apparatus. When the scissor is compacted or drawn in, the forklift becomes much narrower that the standard 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 operator is usually sitting. The standing operation area lessens the amount of room needed for the driver compartment, allowing the machine to achieve an even smaller profile overall.
Space Saving
Aisle-ways could be made as narrow as 7 feet with a reach truck. The majority of regular lift trucks need a minimum aisle space of roughly 11 feet; hence, utilizing a reach truck provides approximately a savings of 5 feet per aisle. When the warehouse is leased by the square foot basis, this is a significant amount of space.
Unique Controls
Normally, a reach truck is steered utilizing a rotating lever situated beside the driver on a platform. There is one more lever used to control the mast as well as for extending the mast and also to control reverse and forward. These controls are somewhat different than typical forklift controls.
Load Capacity
Usually, the reach truck's load capacity is less than that of a regular lift truck, depending on the type. This is largely because of the narrow design of the equipment, that could cause a very high center of gravity. When the mast is fully extended and the load is lifted, this is actually true.