RIDE ON REACH FORKLIFTS
Ride on reach forklifts are used for warehouse applications. They usually require a super smooth surface to drive on, lift weights between 1 to 2.5 tonne and can reach dizzying heights of 10+ meters. The most common brands for ride on reach forklifts are BT, Crown, Toyota, Nichiyu, Nissan, Linde, Raymond and Jungheinrich. There are many brands and varieties available each with a variety of applications that they are suited to. Whilst it may seem daunting with all of these options, let’s go through them to help you better understand the different types & styles of the ride on reach forklifts
TYPES OF REACH FORKLIFTS
Narrow Aisle Reach
Most reach forklifts fit into this category. A narrow aisle forklift (NA) is a lift truck that permits right angle stacking in aisles narrower than those normally required by counterbalanced trucks. Narrow aisle reach forklifts allow warehouse managers to fit 20%-25% more inventory in their warehouse compared to a typical counter balance forklift.
High Reach
Similar to the narrow aisle forklift, these forklifts have the ability to reach heights from 7.5m to 10+m.
Double Deep
Double deep is racking that is used where a greater storage density is required. It accommodates two pallet loads stacked back-to-back. This type of rack requires a specialised forklift which has an extended reach mechanism. This enables the driver to store pallets in double-deep racks. This can either be a scissor (pantograph) or telescopic with extendable reach (kooi-aap).
Very Narrow Aisle Reach
A very narrow aisle truck (VNA) is a lift truck that operates in aisles less than 6 feet wide. VNAs typically use some sort of guidance system (wire, rail, or optical) to navigate "very narrow" aisles. Types of VNA trucks are stock pickers (order pickers), swing mast trucks, and turret trucks
Articulated - is a lift truck whose fork carriage pivots on a joint, and can therefore swing back and forth. Examples of these are Bendi or Aisle-Master forklifts.
Turret Forklifts -- A turret truck is a very narrow aisle truck similar to an order selector with the exception that rather than having fixed forks, the forks are mounted on an additional mast and carriage which operates as a turret, turning 90 degrees in either direction facilitating picking and stocking on either side of the aisle. There are two types of turret trucks: operator-down turret trucks and operator-up turret trucks
Operator Down - An operator-down turret truck, also known as a "man-down turret truck," is a turret truck in which the operator is not lifted with the load
Operator Up - An operator-up turret truck, also known as a "man-up turret truck," is a turret truck where the operator is lifted with the load to allow more precise stacking and picking
Specialised
Whilst there are a variety of different reach trucks there are some forklifts that are highly specialised to extreme applications. The two most common extreme applications for reach forklifts are for them to be in extreme cold i.e. freezer, or highly combustible applications i.e mining, pharmaceutical and petrochemical plants, oil platforms, paint manufacturing, grain handling and the food industry to name a few
Freezer Proof – Modifications are made to the forklift to ensure that the hydraulic & electrical components do not seize, freeze or damage (i.e. water damage) when operated in continuous cold area’s e.g. Freezers.
Flame Proof – Modifications are made to the forklift to remove or reduce the risk of the equipment becoming the source of ignition. Sources of ignition include flames and sparks from exhaust systems, arcs and sparks from electrical equipment, hot surfaces and static build up.
REACH TYPE
There are two core types of reach mechanisms for reach forklifts.
Pantograph – this is ‘scissor’ like movement of the forklift’s reach mechanism. The mast does not extend forward.
Telescopic – this is where the mast moves forward & backwards hydraulically.
DRIVING STYLE
Ride on Reach forklifts come in two main driving styles: Stand On (or Stand Up) or Sit Down. Most brands of reach forklifts come in both forms. The most popular brands for stand on reach forklifts are Crown, Raymond, Nissan, Nichiyu and Toyota. As the name suggests, the operator of the stand on reach forklift operates the forklift by standing on it. Depending on the brand of the forklift, the operator either faces forward or sideways. The operator’s feet are required to be within the cabin as there is a ‘dead-man’ switch located on the floor plate of the forklift. The forklift will not operate if the dead man is not properly engaged. This ensures the safety of the operator by ensuring both of their feet are within the cabin and not outside which could be subject to jamming or being run over. Stand On forklifts are good for operators who are constantly getting on and off the machine to either check stock or process orders.
A Sit Down reach forklift allows the operator to sit on the forklift, usually sideways, to operate it. The controls for lifting functions are either through levers or fingertip controls. The steering is operated through a steering wheel and depending on the make could be a 360 degree steer-by-the-wire control which allows you to keep turning the steering wheel a full 360 degrees.
Recently, Crown has been manufacturing an adjustable seat that allows the operator to use the forklift in both a sit down or stand on form.
LIFT TYPE
There are two core types of lifting on a mast; full free lift (FFL) and partial free lift (PFL).
A FFL mast on a reach forklift usually comes in the form of a triple stage mast. This means that the forks will lift in 3 stage’s by ‘free lifting’ to the top of the mast before lifting any additional channels. This allows the forklift to lift higher without the need for a tall roof. This is extremely beneficial if your warehouse has a low roof in certain areas but you also need to lift to taller heights in other parts.
A PFL mast on a reach forklift usually comes in the form of a two stage mast. This means that when the forks are lifting, they will only partially free lift after which the mast channel also lifts. The forklift requires a greater vertical clearance space when lifting. Forklifts with 2 stage masts, due to the requirement of vertical clearance, are usually cheaper than 3 stage masts. They also do not lift as tall as a 3 stage mast.
Are you still not sure what you need or is the best option is for you? Do you have some questions about the forklift you require? Contact one of Koala Trucks' friendly sales team members on (02) 9604 3955 for more information.
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