Reach trucks are valuable vehicles that are utilized in warehouses & the area where a large number of products are kept.
These are used in narrow areas the average human hand can’t reach. As in warehouses, a more significant number of items are kept in a higher range, so reach trucks are necessary.
When purchasing the reach trucks, you must have complete knowledge and information. You must have many questions in your mind, which can help clear your doubts.
Here, we have mentioned some useful information about the reach trucks, which may help you better understand.
What is a reach truck?
A reach truck is an electrical vehicle designed forklift; generally used in narrow areas to transfer product from one place to another.
These trucks can be turned into small areas, a handy feature. People use these trucks to make their work easier & faster.
The reach trucks are developed with a single set of wheels in its back. These are located below the driver’s seat position and two outer legs that help carry the load.
The unique feature designed in this is that the driver sits sideways when operating it. Because of the design of the legs, reach trucks do not need a counterweight to balance the load.
Uses of reach trucks-
Reach trucks are specially made to operate in confined spaces such as those found in warehouses and storage facilities. They enable you to maximize the utilization of your storage, this can be done by allowing you to stack goods at a higher height.
Business owners are often concerned with storage space. There is an increasing need for facilities to keep all these things because of internet purchasing and consumers’ desire for fast access to commodities.
Warehouses need to enlarge their space as they need to keep the stock in advance for their product because of their online presence. The only way to manage this is using reach trucks in the godown area.
With them, you can maximize the storage capacity & still can get the fastest service compared to other vehicles.
Reach Trucks or Forklift which is better?
Both reach trucks & forklifts are used to perform similar tasks. But when we look for the reach trucks, it has two legs which do not allow them to take the counterbalance.
Wheelbase:– Reach trucks have a wheelbase that is the same length as a standard forklift, but their bodies are much smaller. Due to the design, operators may access higher shelves with less of the cargo protruding from the truck, enabling it to maneuver through significantly smaller areas.
Turning radius:– For comparison, a forklift needs a 3.7m turning radius to reach the same materials, while reach trucks need a 2.4m turning radius. Since, there is difference in size, your aisles can be cut in half and the extra room used for storage.
Weight carry capacity:- Each truck has the same lifting ability as a forklift, with several versions having a capability of up to 4500 lbs.
Height:– Most forklift models have a safe working height of up to 25 feet. Depending on the type, reach trucks have a much higher maximum height of 36 feet. This implies that you can stack things higher and with less aisle space.
Working circumstances:– Reach trucks are often utilized indoors, even though they can function outside if the ground is level and flat. Because of the limited clearance of the undercarriage, working on uneven surfaces is challenging.
Safety thought for Reach truck operators!
Reach trucks are considered the safest vehicle. They require special training to handle it properly. These trucks have additional unique factors that are crucial to comprehend.
Specialized instruction: Just because someone has received instruction in using one type of reach truck does not imply that they can use any category of reach truck. There are various reach trucks, and each type requires training for that particular reach truck.
Inclines: For Reach truck drivers, incline poses a significant risk. Anyone driving a reach truck needs to know how to proceed safely up an incline.
Height: Reach trucks are more dangerous because they may raise objects significantly higher than conventional forklifts. Operators must know the dangers and possess the specialized abilities to work securely at heights.
Stability: Reach trucks have a distinct center of gravity compared to forklifts. When operating at heights or navigating a warehouse, operators need to understand how to control the load capacity and how it relates to the machine’s balance.
A reach truck might be the perfect piece of equipment for you if you want to make the most of your warehouse space and need a vehicle that can work at heights, maneuver in tight places, and lift heavy goods. We hope that these reach truck hints have provided some clarification for you.
