Reach trucks are loading devices used by different types of companies that preserve a warehouse facility or circulation center concerning the organization of finished goods and supplies on pallets which are inserted into high shelving units. This machine provides easy and secure retrieval of the loaded pallets whilst ensuring economical storage of supplies that are not required immediately.
Normal reach trucks are designed with a mounted rigging mechanism on the face of the vehicle. Telescoping forks are able to move up and down on this mounted rigging. A system utilizing hydraulics allows the operator grab and even reposition the freight over the outriggers. This design provides a more even balance of the load and facilitates better maneuvering between the storage shelves and narrow aisles.
When loading pallets on the their particular shelves, the hydraulics can be used to slide and swing the pallet into place. This machine is small enough to fit into an aisle less than 10 feet across without a lot of complications as long as there is nothing protruding from any shelves.
There are many different models of reach truck on the market. The simplest unit is a stand up model that you are able to slide the forks underneath the pallet and then transfer it to another location for storage, then slide it into place. Commonly this design of reach truck is good for shelving units that are only one pallet deep. A double-reach truck works in the same essential method as the stand-up type but uses telescopic forks that are long enough to slide a pallet into shelves that accommodate two pallets. Straddle reaches are an alternative reach truck variation. This style of reach truck slides under the pallet and is in addition able to grab the sides as well. The straddle reach unit is useful when grasping the sides of the pallet and commodities will not result in damage. They allow simple pallet retrieval of a pallet that may be 4th or 5th in line and are useful when the shelving units are accessible in more than one direction.
Warehouses, manufacturing facilities and textile companies repeatedly make use of a number of styles of the reach truck. Using a reach truck to stockpile provisions, pallets of finished commodities, and in general to keep the storage area in order is a common practice. Simple to control, the reach truck can help make better use of both time and accessible stockroom space.