As more businesses experience growth they are researching options to increase pallet positions and warehouse storage. These solutions can range from additional pallet racking to expansion or a move to a new facility. In this article ProLift provides an overview of narrow aisle forklifts, and how your equipment selection can increase your warehouse storage.
Industries: Manufacturing, Distribution Centers and Cold Storage
Applications
Narrow aisle forklifts are often used when there’s a need to pick product from the racking and deliver it to its final destination within the warehouse or carried to the warehouse loading dock. However, any application that is taking advantage of their vertical warehouse space to create more storage will benefit from a narrow aisle forklift.
Narrow Aisle Forklift Models, Capacities & Aisle Widths
ProLift offers several options of narrow aisle forklifts, including very narrow aisle forklifts. Partnering with quality manufacturers allows us to discuss multiple equipment alternatives with you. Click to ProLift’s website to view model specs and details on options, operator ergonomics, performance, and safety.
Toyota Narrow Aisle Forklifts
Toyota Material Handling is the industry leader in the lineup of reach trucks. Stand-up electric forklifts and order pickers are also available. Aisle width measurements will vary by model.
- Stand-up electric forklift
- Reach truck
- Multidirectional reach truck
- High-capacity reach truck
- Moving mast reach truck
- Indoor outdoor moving mast reach truck
- Walkie reach truck
- Order picker
- Furniture order picker
Combilift Narrow Aisle Forklift
More efficient at handling long loads, the Combilift multidirectional forklift is ideal for applications with aluminum, building products, concrete, containerized loads, galvanizing, lumber, manufacturing, plastic, steel and warehousing. Available models that operate in aisle widths as narrow as 96”.
Aisle-Master Very Narrow Aisle Forklift
This very narrow aisle forklift accomplishes the work of a reach truck and counterbalance forklift, helping you increase warehouse storage up to 50%. Available models that operate in aisle widths as narrow as 66”.
Steinbock Turret Truck
The Steinbock turret truck handles very narrow aisles. All models provide high performance for unit load handling and order picking.
Each new forklift purchase is covered by ProLift’s New Equipment Guarantee. In the event you are unhappy with the equipment you purchased from ProLift after one year’s use, we will simply buy it back for the original purchase price less two thirds of our normal rental rate.
Key Benefits of Narrow Aisle Forklifts
The most immediate benefit of operating narrow aisle forklifts is the flexibility of warehouse planning and layout. If you’re currently faced with storage challenges and considering a facility expansion or move, the cost can be overwhelming to your company’s financial stability. The choice to lease a storage facility may provide a short-term solution but also incurs an expense that isn’t contributing to the long-term fix; however, an investment in narrow aisle forklifts allows you to expand your racking and pallet positions.
Rely on ProLift to assist you with warehouse planning. Our team of specialists include warehouse solutions and equipment specialists. You’ll reduced errors and benefit from having multiple ProLift specialists reviewing the full spectrum of your business rather than sourcing pallet racking, forklifts, installation and other needs separately. Prep your questions and schedule a site survey today!
SCHEDULE SITE SURVEYWarehouse Planning
Warehouse planning best begins with considering the ideal number of pallet positions you currently need as well as potential production increases. Pallet positions can then accounted for when discussing the height of upright racking and maximizing vertical space.
Measurement of product loads and pallet depth is another major factor for warehouse planning. The measurements cannot be recorded from product to product; you need to allow space for product overhang and for the narrow aisle forklift to maneuver between racking. Additional space should be allocated when you to have back-to-back racking, due to requiring a larger pallet and flue space that keeps the product overhang toward the backside.
It’s important to note that your processes within racking aisles matter. If you operate more than one piece of equipment in the aisle, a narrow aisle forklift may not be of value to your warehouse planning.
Taking a 360-degree view of your business needs and warehouse storage will define which narrow aisle forklifts promise the best production results. You’ll understand potential racking layouts, aisle widths, lifting height requirements and more.
Narrow aisle forklifts and pallet racking work together to optimize warehouse planning. ProLift offers the following articles for pallet racking:
- Warehouse storage solutions using pallet racking
- How to select pallet racking for your warehouse
- Pallet rack capacities
Ease of Maintenance
Many of our narrow aisle forklifts fall under the Toyota electric forklift product line. These electric forklifts are designed with AC-power, providing a brushless, maintenance free motor. Additionally, because it produces less heat than an IC forklift, the electric forklift is less vulnerable to accelerated wear and tear on major components caused by high temperatures. Click here for an electric forklift overview, including their benefits, safety features and environmental impact.
If you’d prefer to outsource forklift service, ProLift can assist your company with maintenance and service repairs. Learn more about our forklift maintenance programs.
Narrow Aisle Forklift Safety
Forklift operators are naturally focused on loading product on and off racking; however, narrow aisle forklift safety is centered on successfully engaging or disengaging the pallets. Your forklift operators can be vulnerable to tip-over caused by overloading, especially during fork elevation. Hands-on training and safe operation will support a decrease in associate injuries and damage to product or racking.
Order Picker Safety
Order pickers elevate forklift operators, which means they must wear fall protection. The use of a body harness for operators working at height is encouraged per federal regulations. Additional order picker safety items include safety glasses, slip-resistant shoes, high-visibility vests and hard hats.
If you’re goal is to promote safety, consider these features or options for your narrow aisle forklift:
- Back-up alarms or strobe lights
- High-vis overhead guard
- Height and tilt indicators for fork alignment
To assist you with narrow aisle forklift safety ProLift provides training classes. Visit our website to learn more, or call ProLift to schedule training at your facility.
Ergonomics
While it may appear that standing up on a narrow aisle forklift throughout the day is tough on a forklift operator’s body, it is actually beneficial for an associate that is regularly entering and exiting the forklift. Forklift designs are periodically enhanced for ergonomics, offering larger cabs, padded floors and lowered steps.
When making your equipment selection, features and options are available to enhance forklift operator ergonomics, including:
- Cushioned or bubble-padded floor board
- Angled floor board
- Anti-rattle mast
- Wire mesh mast guard
Narrow Aisle Forklift for Sale & Rental
ProLift offers reliable narrow aisle forklifts and very narrow aisle forklifts for sale and rental. Equipment may be purchased new or used, and financing options are available. Narrow aisle forklift rentals can be scheduled for daily, weekly, monthly or long-term projects.
- New Toyota product line
- Combilift multidirectional forklift
- Aisle-Master very narrow aisle forklift
- Steinbock turret truck
- Used Forklifts for sale
- Forklift Rentals
Complimentary Site Survey and Warehouse Layout
Ready to increase your warehouse storage? ProLift’s team of material handling specialists offer a complimentary site survey and warehouse layout. We’ll come to your site to learn more about your application and current forklift fleet, and later present you with an overview of number of pallet positions, cost per pallet position, visual layouts and CAD drawings.
If you already have a specific narrow aisle forklift in mind, our equipment specialists are available to answer questions and provide a quote. Contact ProLift to connect with the specialist in your area!
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