Maximize Your Warehouse Space
Maximize Your Warehouse Space with NARROW AISLE FORKLIFTS
While standard forklifts are the most popular and demanded lift trucks for all types of businesses, more and more companies are looking at methods to lower their inventory storage costs for all their warehoused products and materials.
Straddle reach trucks are designed to work in narrow aisle warehousing spaces. They have two outer legs that distribute the load weight; with a wheel configuration of two or one wheels per leg. The drive wheel is usually located under the operator’s compartment. The driver stands or sits sideways when operating the machine.
The actual wheel base of a reach truck is the same length as a normal counter-balance forklift; however the body is more compact. When lifting a load the reach truck moves the load back within the wheelbase; meaning less of the load is protruding from the reach truck, allowing the forklift to work in much narrower aisles.
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| Unicarriers – SRX Series Narrow Aisle | Komatsu – FR25K-3 Narrow Aisle |
For a standard warehouse environment a conventional Class II counterbalanced forklift requires approximately 12’ aisle width for truck maneuvering whereas an equivalent narrow aisle forklift requires approximately 8’ aisle width. This alone can increase warehouse storage by 15% for a typical 6,000 sq ft layout. Warehouse size, layout and desired traffic flow are all factors which influence the actual increase in usable space.
Many larger warehouses are also increasing their capacity by utilizing higher ceilings. Due to their design a narrow aisle forklift provides better stability at higher heights than a traditional forklift.
With the newer AC design motors and control systems narrow aisle forklifts are becoming much more efficient lowering your operating and energy costs.
Narrow aisle articulated models such as the Aisle-Master series can operate in warehouses with aisles as narrow as 1.6M (5’ 3”). This can increase warehouse racking storage rows by as much as 50% over traditional layouts. Many Aisle-Master models are available in both electric and LPG powered units.
Liftway can offer you a various selection of both new and used electric reach trucks to best suit your requirements. Next month we will be discussing outside storage space.
Choosing the right narrow aisle forklift and racking can be a complicated and difficult task.
Liftway Limited offers the best suited purchase options tailored to your needs and requirements. Take advantage of our cash purchase options or lease your equipment to provide the best overall return for your company’s objectives. Click below for more information.
Liftway New and Used Forklifts:
Liftway Limited sells and services new and used forklifts in Brantford, Cambridge, Hamilton, Simcoe and Chatham, Ontario. We also supply forklift replacement parts, service, operator training and material handling rentals.
Liftway Limited has over a 50 year legacy of selling material handling equipment to manufacturing plants, warehousing operations, commercial enterprises and small businesses that require a new or used forklift.
