What is a Reach Truck?

Reach Fork Truck Information

Many warehouse managers are focused on optimizing their storage space. A Reach truck is an excellent solution, potentially increasing storage capacity by up to 30%.

A Reach truck is a type of forklift, initially invented by Lyon Iron Works to maximize space in warehouse environments. By extending its length to "reach" out and pick up loads, then retracting its pantograph to reduce its size, the Reach truck saves 3 to 4 feet per storage aisle, making it highly space-efficient.

Reach Truck Aisle Requirement

Many reach trucks require a minimum of 92" of clear aisle space to effectively store and retrieve pallets. However, this aisle width can increase based on several factors:

• Sideshift adds 2" to the aisle requirement
• Upgrading from a 24-volt to a 36-volt platform increases the aisle width by another 2"
• Increasing the lift capacity from 3,000 lbs to 4,000 lbs adds a further 2" to the aisle width
• Allow an extra 6" to 12" for better maneuverability
• Remember that the pallet overhangs the racking by 3" on either side, so the rack-to-rack dimension will be 6" wider than the clear aisle width

How wide of an aisle does a Reach Truck need?

Using the guide above, for a 3,000 lbs capacity, 36-volt reach truck with sideshift, a 102" minimum clear aisle or a 108" rack-to-rack aisle is recommended to ensure efficient operation.