Narrow warehouse aisles can make material handling challenging. For businesses with limited storage space, choosing the right type of forklift is essential for safe manoeuvring without compromising productivity. For businesses with narrow aisles, assessing the warehouse layout and load requirements is essential before forklift hire.
For professional forklift hire in Cambridge, a few important factors need to be kept in mind. The right truck makes a noticeable difference in managing workflow, even within small-space warehouses.
Why do Narrow Aisles Require the right type of forklift?
It is not possible to fit and use standard forklifts for material handling inside a warehouse with narrow aisles. Limited space means operators will need equipment of similar dimensions for smooth and uninterrupted manoeuvrability.
Measure available space
Businesses generally measure the aisle width and look for obstacles like racks, pillars and loading areas before finalising the forklift. If the aisles are 2.5 to 2.8 meters in width, then Reach Trucks are considered to be the best option for picking loads without moving the whole body. Again, for very narrow aisles, articulated forklifts are the best choice.
Consider lift height and load capacity
Load capacity is also important. The forklift must be able to handle the heaviest loads. In narrow aisles, taller racks are a common way to arrange goods. If the warehouse uses vertical storage, checking the lift height is essential for proper hire; providers must check the height and usage of the forklift with the business before proceeding.
What are the different types of forklifts used for narrow aisles?
Reach forklifts
These forklifts have clips designed for warehouse racks and can operate in narrow aisles with their extended mast, which allows the operator to reach pallets stored at considerable heights.
Narrow aisle counterbalance forklifts
They are more compact compared to traditional counterbalance trucks. They provide smoother, greater manoeuvrability and can reach aisles where standard counterbalance forklifts require too much turning space.
Order pickers
This type of forklift is useful when the warehouse needs to get individual items from shelves or racks. Depending on the model, the operator can raise the platforms at different levels to access the goods.
Side-loaded forklifts
Side-loading forklifts are useful for loading and taking goods from the side of the truck rather than from the front areas of the shelves.
Articulated forklifts
An articulated forklift has a joint between its front and rear sections, allowing it to bend through tight spaces. The trucks can be used when a business needs to load and unload pallets in narrow aisles.
If you need to hire a forklift, get in touch with KMA Forklifts Ltd. We have a team of experts with the experience to help you with convenient forklift options. We have developed affordable and convenient forklift truck hire packages. We offer both short- and long-term packages to ensure we can cater to all projects. Our packages start at single-day hire and can include a driver if required. The forklifts we supply are suitable for a variety of different projects and have been used by many industries.