NA and VNA Trucks: There are certain truck types that have very narrow aisle or VNA features or narrow aisle or NA features. Nearly all counterbalanced trucks need at least 11 feet of aisle width in order to operate efficiently and safely. NA trucks however, can function in narrow aisles which are 8 to 10 feet wide. Furthermore, very narrow aisle or VNA trucks could function in aisles which are 6 feet wide.
The benefit of using an NA and VNA truck over a traditional lift is that it makes it possible for warehouses to be built with narrower aisles. The wider aisles within the warehouses enable for more storage of products in a particular area, that improves cube use. The loads moved by VNA and Narrow Aisle trucks usually are limited to around 3000 and 5000 pounds. Reach trucks are capable of operating in narrow aisle. Rotating mast trucks, order selectors and turret trucks can work in narrow or very narrow aisles, depending on the specific model.
Reach Trucks: Reach trucks are especially designed narrow-aisle trucks which are designed for retrieval and storage. They are made of outriggers and telescoping forks which enable the operators to pick up a load and afterward retract it over the outriggers. These models are not the best suited for loading and unloading trucks, nor for moving loads quickly over long distances. Like the order selector, reach trucks could be available for lifting heights which are greater than 30 feet.
Turret Trucks and Rotating-Mast Trucks: Rotating-mast trucks are similar to standard sit-down forklifts. The main difference is that their masts are able to rotate in one direction, to a 90 degree angle. This particular feature allows them to function within a narrow aisle situation. Turret trucks are able to work in narrow or very narrow aisle places. Similar to order selectors, these machines can lift 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 used within very narrow aisles. This way, the operator doesn't have to focus any energy on their driving skills and can concentrate on the work load at hand. As turret trucks are considered "operator-up" trucks, they can be used for picking items and cases in addition to full pallet handling.