Very Narrow Aisle and Narrow Aisle Trucks: Some forklifts have NA features or VNA features. In order to operate efficiently and safely, nearly all counterbalanced trucks require a minimum of 11 feet of aisle width. NA trucks on the other hand, can operate in narrow aisles which measure 8 to 10 feet wide. Furthermore, very narrow aisle or VNA trucks can function in aisles as narrow as 6 feet wide.
The advantage of using an NA and VNA truck over a conventional 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 in a specific space, that improves cube utilization. The loads moved by Narrow Aisle and Very narrow Aisle trucks typically are limited to roughly 3000 and 5000 lbs. Reach trucks are capable of operating in narrow aisle. Turret trucks, rotating mast trucks and order selectors are able to work within very narrow or narrow aisles, depending on the specific unit.
Reach Trucks: Specially designed for retrieval and storage, reach trucks are made with outriggers and telescoping forks that allows the operator to lift and retract a load over the outriggers. These units are not suitable for unloading or loading trucks, nor for transporting loads quickly over long distances. Similar to the order selector, reach trucks could be available for lifting heights that are greater than 30 feet.
Turret Trucks and Rotating-Mast Trucks: Like typical sit-down forklifts, rotating mast trucks have masts that could rotate in one direction, to a 90 degree angle. This particular feature allows them to function within a narrow aisle condition. Turret trucks are able to work in narrow or very narrow aisle places. Similar to order selectors, these machinery can lift both the operator and the load. Furthermore, they can allow the operator to deal with loads on either side of an aisle without exiting and re-entering the aisle.
Turret trucks are normally wire or rail guided when they are utilized within very narrow aisles. Therefore, the operator could concentrate on the work load at hand as they doesn't have to focus any energy on their driving skills. Because turret trucks are considered "operator-up" trucks, they can be used for picking cases and items in addition to full pallet handling.