Very Narrow Aisle and Narrow Aisle Trucks: Some forklifts have NA features or VNA features. To be able to operate safely and efficiently, nearly all counterbalanced trucks need at least 11 feet of aisle width. Narrow Aisle trucks on the other hand, are able to operate in narrow aisles which are 8 to 10 feet wide. Furthermore, very narrow aisle or VNA trucks can operate in aisles which are 6 feet wide.
The advantage of using an NA and VNA truck over a standard lift is that it makes it possible for warehouses to be built with narrower aisles. The wider aisles within the warehouses allow for more storage of products within a particular space, that improves cube utilization. The loads moved using Narrow Aisle and Very narrow Aisle trucks typically are limited to about 3000 and 5000 pounds. Reach trucks can operate in narrow aisle. Order selectors, turret trucks and rotating mast trucks can operate in narrow or very narrow aisles, depending on the specific model.
Reach Trucks: Reach trucks are specially made narrow-aisle trucks which are designed for retrieval and storage. They are made of outriggers and telescoping forks which allow the operators to pick up a load and after that retract it over the outriggers. These models are not suitable for transporting loads quickly over long distances nor for unloading or loading trucks. Like the order selector, reach trucks can be available for lifting heights which are greater than 30 feet.
Turret Trucks and Rotating-Mast Trucks: Rotating-mast trucks are like regular sit-down forklifts. The main distinction is that their masts could rotate in one direction, to a 90 degree angle. This particular feature allows them to function in a narrow aisle situation. Turret trucks are able to work in narrow or very narrow aisle locations. Similar to order selectors, these machinery could elevate both the operator and the cargo. In addition, they can enable the operator to handle loads on either side of an aisle without exiting and re-entering the aisle.
Turret trucks are usually wire or rail guided when used in very narrow aisles. Therefore, the operator doesn't have to focus any energy on their driving skills and could concentrate on the work load at hand. Because turret trucks are considered "operator-up" trucks, they are able to be used for case and item picking as well as full pallet handling.