NA and VNA Trucks: There are some truck models that have very narrow aisle or VNA features or narrow aisle or NA features. Most counterbalanced trucks need at least 11 feet of aisle width to be able to function safely and efficiently. Narrow Aisle trucks however, can operate in narrow aisles that are 8 to 10 feet wide. Moreover, VNA or very narrow aisle trucks could operate in aisles which are 6 feet wide.
The benefit of using a VNA and NA truck over a standard lift is that it makes it possible for warehouses to be built with narrower aisles. The wider aisles in the warehouses allow for more storage of things in a particular space, that improves cube utilization. The loads moved using Narrow Aisle and VNA trucks typically are limited to roughly 3000 and 5000 lbs. Reach trucks are capable of operating in narrow aisle. Order selectors, turret trucks and rotating mast trucks can work in very narrow or narrow aisles, depending on the specific unit.
Reach Trucks: Reach trucks are especially made narrow-aisle trucks that are made for retrieval and storage. They are made of outriggers and telescoping forks which enable the operators to lift a load and then retract it over the outriggers. These units are not the best suited for transporting loads quickly over long distances nor for loading and unloading trucks. Similar to the order selector, reach trucks can be available for lifting heights that are greater than 30 feet.
Rotating-Mast Trucks and Turret Trucks: Similar to 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 very narrow or narrow aisle places. Similar to order selectors, these machines are capable of elevating both the operator and the load. Moreover, they are able to enable the operator to deal with loads on either side of an aisle without re-entering and exiting the aisle.
Turret trucks are normally wire or rail guided when they are utilized within very narrow aisles. This way, the operator can focus on the work load at hand as they doesn't need to focus any energy on their driving skills. As turret trucks are considered "operator-up" trucks, they are able to be utilized for case and item picking in addition to full pallet handling.