Narrow Aisle and very Narrow Aisle Trucks: Some forklifts have VNA features or NA features. To be able to function efficiently and safely, nearly all counterbalanced trucks need at least 11 feet of aisle width. NA trucks however, can operate in narrow aisles that are 8 to 10 feet wide. Furthermore, very narrow aisle or VNA trucks can function in aisles as narrow as 6 feet wide.
VNA and NA trucks offer many benefits as they make it possible for warehouses to be built with narrower aisles. This results in the warehouse being able to successfully store numerous more products within a certain area, improving cube utilization. The loads transported by VNA and NA trucks typically are limited to approximately 3000 and 5000 lbs. Reach trucks are capable of operating in narrow aisle. Order selectors, turret trucks and rotating mast trucks can work in narrow or very narrow aisles, depending on the particular unit.
Reach Trucks: Reach trucks are particularly designed narrow-aisle trucks which are made for retrieval and storage. They are made of outriggers and telescoping forks that allow the operators to pick up a load and afterward retract it over the outriggers. These units are not the best suited for unloading or loading trucks, nor for moving loads quickly over long distances. Like the order selector, reach trucks could be available for lifting heights that are higher than 30 feet.
Rotating-Mast Trucks and Turret Trucks: Rotating-mast trucks are similar to standard sit-down forklifts. The main distinction is that their masts can rotate in one direction, to a 90 degree angle. This particular feature enables them to operate within a narrow aisle condition. Turret trucks can operate in narrow or very narrow aisle locations. Like order selectors, these equipment are capable of lifting both the operator and the cargo. Additionally, they can enable the operator to deal with loads on either side of an aisle without exiting and re-entering the aisle.
Turret trucks are often wire or rail guided when used within very narrow aisles. This way, the operator could concentrate on the work load at hand since they doesn't need to focus any energy on their driving skills. As turret trucks are considered "operator-up" trucks, they are able to be used for item and case picking in addition to full pallet handling.