Moving to a bigger space may sound like the most convenient option. However, very narrow aisle racking is the best alternative to make optimum use of the space available. Various warehouses have adopted such storage solutions and have a higher ROI.
Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) trucks have helped such warehouses to execute operations efficiently. These trucks are intentionally designed for refilling and picking up orders in high-density warehouses and delivery areas.
VNA trucks are one of the preferred solutions for streamlining warehouse operations globally. Trucks with a forklift attached are narrow aisle forklift trucks. According to the report by King’s Research, the global Very Narrow Aisle Trucks Market size is expected to reach $8.82 billion by 2030.
In this blog, let's discover the types of narrow aisle forklift trucks and their advantages:
What are the Very Narrow Aisle Trucks Types?
Following are the types of VNA trucks and their key specifications that warehouse owners, managers, or operators can consider:
1. Order Picker
Order pickers are trucks that elevate the operator to the rack’s height so that they can manually select items. The design of these trucks is to help pick individual items instead of lifting full pallets. Leveraging an order picker can improve picking efficiency, by optimizing throughput, and worker safety.
Best use case: It is an effective tool in warehouses where workers have to pick individual items from different heights. Order picker trucks find their applications commonly in e-commerce or parts warehouses.
Best Suited for: For warehouse workers whose primary task includes picking up individual orders from different levels.
2. Turret Truck
Turret trucks have a rotating mast, which allows the forks to pivot sideways to lift or place loads, like pallets and cases. The design of these very narrow aisle forklifts eliminates the need to turn the truck inside the aisle.
Turret trucks have the capability to work efficiently in extremely tight conditions and manage loads at high elevations. They are indispensable material-handling equipment for warehouse owners and operators who want to maximize their space utilization.
Best use case: For warehouses that have very narrow aisles where traditional forklifts cannot maneuver. It also works really well in tall-racks and high-density storage environments.
Best suited for: Warehouses with the narrowest aisles lacking sufficient space for maneuvering trucks.
3. Walkie Stacker
A pedestrian forklift type, primarily utilized for stacking, moving, and picking palletized goods is known as a walkie stacker. This very narrow aisle truck type is popular for its compact design. The walk-behind operation of these VNA trucks make it easy to operate. A walkie-stacker is perfectly suitable for limited spaces, warehouses and retail environments. It is also ideal for limited storage spaces that need to have ease of movement and direction.
Best use case: For stacking tasks that range from low to medium height. It can also be used to transport short-distance palletized goods.
Best suited for: Warehouses that need an affordable and low-maintenance solution for tasks that include occasional lifting and material handling, without the requirement for high lift heights.
4. Reach Truck
The design of the reach truck has a unique feature that enables the forks to extend outwards, allowing them to pick the pallets from the racking system. This very narrow aisle truck type is more versatile compared to traditional forklifts because their forks extend past the compartment. Reach trucks also have a high lift capacity, which can be beneficial for the operators.
Best use case: It works effectively in storehouses with high-density storage, tall shelving, and handling pallets, including reaching into deep racking.
Best suited for: Warehouses that have deep racking systems and are exploring opportunities to maximize vertical storage space.
5. 3-Wheel Electric Forklift
Very narrow aisle trucks that have one wheel in the back are known as three-wheel electric forklifts. This design feature of these trucks enables them to take turns in a very small turning radius. These trucks are one of the most effective options for tight turns in narrow spaces.
Three-wheel electric forklifts can be leveraged to lift cases and pallets. Their capability to travel offers them more versatility compared to any other narrow aisle forklifts.
Best use case: Warehouses that have material handling tasks at a medium height, which needs a tight turning radius.
Best suited for: It is a perfect tool for mid-to-low lift height requirements in narrow aisles.
What are the Advantages of Narrow Aisle Forklifts Trucks?
Warehouse owners and managers always have to keep up with the increasing storage demand and shortage of workforce. These trucks help to enhance the productivity and safety of the resources. Let's look at the other benefits of VNA trucks:
- Higher Storage Space
Narrow aisle forklifts can be customized to make high racks accessible in warehouses. There are a few vendors that offer a forklift that reaches a height of up to 13 meters. Warehouse owners can explore opportunities to expand their storage spaces vertically instead of horizontally. Adopting very narrow aisle trucks can help minimize aisle width, make space to add more aisles, and increase the overall storage capacity. VNA trucks assist warehouses to store more per square foot and utilize the space in the most optimum ways.
- Enhanced Safety
VNA trucks are designed to overcome safety bottlenecks that arise due to moving materials in very tight spaces. There are various assistance systems that are mounted on the trucks, which help them to navigate with ease in the warehouse and avoid obstacles.
Lack of visibility is one of the biggest challenges with narrow aisles and high-racking warehouses set up. Several very narrow aisle trucks provide panoramic views to enhance visibility. Addon tools like shoulder guards minimize the risk of accidents in confined spaces.
- Streamlined Warehouse Operations
Transporting, lifting, and racking materials is not a one-time task in any warehouse operation. It is a repetitive process that needs to be executed with precision, accuracy, and agility. Warehouse workers can get strained because of the rigorous manual work.
These forklifts can be an effective tool that can help to streamline operations and enhance the workforce experience.
- Easy to Navigate
Very narrow aisle forklift trucks provide better maneuverability even in the most restricted spaces. VNA trucks can transport material in very narrow aisles quickly, safely, and with high throughput rates. There are various best narrow aisle trucks available that help the operators have a faster work cycle.
- Enhanced Productivity
VNA trucks help achieve more in less time at the warehouse with very narrow aisle trucks that have multiple assistance systems that assist the resources to manage the loads effectively, even at different heights. These trucks provide stability and safety even at high lift heights.
Summary
VNA racks are a must-have investment for warehouses with limited space. Warehouse operations globally leverage very narrow aisle trucks to streamline their operations. Despite these trucks having a higher cost and are not very useful outside the VNA aisles, they will offer you a higher ROI in the longer run. These trucks have various unique functionalities that make them a perfect solution for specific tasks for warehouse managers.
