What is a Reach Truck?
A Reach Truck is a type of forklift designed specifically for use in warehouse environments where space might be limited. These machines are perfect for narrow-aisle applications and are characterized by their ability to ‘reach’ into racking to pick up or place loads.
These trucks are known for their exceptional productivity, reliability, and energy efficiency. They often come with a range of capacities, lift heights, and features designed to maximize output while minimizing downtime.
Reach Trucks are used in many warehousing applications where high storage density or fast storage and retrieval of goods are required. They offer superior acceleration, travel, and lift/lower speeds, making them an essential piece of equipment in many industries.
Key Characteristics of Reach Trucks:
Design: Reach trucks are designed with two outer legs that distribute the load weight, with a wheel configuration of two or more wheels per leg. The drive wheel is located underneath the operator’s seating position.
Reach Mechanism: The reach mechanism in these trucks allows the forks to extend beyond the stabilizing outrigger wheels, enabling the operator to retrieve or place loads that are positioned in the rack locations that are beyond the truck footprint itself. This ‘reach’ ability reduces the aisle width that the truck can operate in, increasing the amount of storage space available within a warehouse.
Lift Height: Reach trucks can lift pallets up to 10-14 meters high, depending on the model. This is higher than most other types of forklifts and makes them ideal for high-bay warehouses.
Tilt Facility: Some reach trucks come equipped with a tilt facility, allowing the operator to tilt the carriage either forwards or backwards to assist with the safe handling of loads.
Control: The operator controls the machine using a steering wheel and a side standing position, which provides excellent visibility.
Environment: Reach trucks are typically used indoors on flat, even surfaces. They are electrically powered, making them quiet and free from harmful emissions.
Types: There are different types of reach trucks including stand-up trucks (most common and used where there’s only one load per bay), double-deep trucks (used when there are multiple load bays), and straddle trucks (have wider legs for wider loads or picking up several pallets at once).
In summary, reach trucks are versatile pieces of equipment that play a crucial role in many warehousing and storage environments.