Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck: Frequently Asked Questions

With all the space solutions introduced in the warehouse industry, the demand for modern machinery is increased. The CUBLIFT has become known for producing top-notch and budget-friendly equipment for warehouses. We provide high-quality forklift drum lifters, forklift pallets trucks, hand pallet trucks, and Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck. we are one of the leading brands to provide cost-effective solutions to meet all your warehouse needs. Our VERY NARROW AISLE FORKLIFT TRUCK is one of its kind, equipped with all the modern system and functions and durability CUBLIFT has made sure that it doesn’t become a burden on your pocket. A narrow Aisle space storage system requires special trucks to move through the given space and shift the products to a certain height. Keeping in view all these specifications CUBLIFT’s VERY NARROW AISLE FORKLIFT TRUCK is specifically designed to meet all the requirements of our clients.  To meet all the queries of our auspicious clients we have made a list of some Frequently Asked Questions related to VERY NARROW AISLE FORKLIFT TRUCK.

What Is A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck is a truck designed to work within a narrow aisle storage system. They are generally manufactured to work in 8 to 9 1/2 feet wide aisles but some modern machinery also has the ability to navigate through narrow spaces say 6 feet wide. The Basic purpose of Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks is to transport the goods to the desired destination in the warehouse and lift it to the required heights.

It has forklifts that have the potential to lift the pallets and stack the product to the shelves provided for their storage and its design lets it move around the narrow spaces easily.

Modern Very Narrow Aisle Truck Looks like the picture given below.

(Diagram 1)

What Is Very Narrow Aisle?

The Literal Meaning of Narrow Aisle is a close or contracted passageway. It is a system of storage in the warehouses, created to allow companies to expand vertically rather than horizontally. In these warehouses, products are stacked vertically in racks facilitating companies to produce high-density storage in very small space.  According to statistics Narrow Aisle Storage system produces almost 25% to 50% of extra storage capacity as compared to other warehouse settings.

(Diagram 2  and Diagram 3)

How Many Types Of Aisle Are There?

There are two types of Aisles.

1. Wide Aisle Narrow Aisle

Lift trucks are designed based on their uses in the specific aisle systems.

Wide Aisle:  These lift trucks are designed to work in aisles greater than 11’. All the standard forklifts fall in this category

Narrow Aisle: these trucks are perfect to work in aisles of 8’to 10’ wide. Reach trucks are an example of a narrow aisle truck.

Both the trucks have the tendency to turn within the given radius whereas the Very Narrow Aisle Trucks cannot turn within the aisle.

What Is VNA?

VNA stands for Very Narrow Aisle. The name is used as a short form and usually used as an alternative to address machinery or equipment related to the discipline of the Very Narrow Aisle Storage System.

For example, you might browse through search engines and you get the name VNA Forklift Trucks instead of VERY NARROW AISLE FORKLIFT TRUCKS.

Why Do I Need A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

The birth of the Very Narrow Aisle Pallet Racking system requires special equipment to move through those compact passages and hoarding the products to vertical storage. So the specific requirements pushed the industry to create smart trucks other than simple forklifts.

This is where Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck came into the picture. These trucks have the tendency to lift the load to fair height (depending upon their ability) while moving and turning within a tight radius.

How Does A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck Work?

A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks lifts the pallets perpendicular to the course of travel. Their movement in the aisles is aided by provided Guidance system (either wire guidance system or L-shaped Rail guidance system).

Most of the trucks are equipped with three wheels. Two at the front and one at the rear end however depending on the design this arrangement could be vice-versa. With the choice of the design, there are two expected options for the travel of the operators. One is to travel along with the level of the floor and the second is up and down movement. Giving them the name, Man-up VNA Trucks or Man-down VNA trucks due to their distinguished design and function.

What Other Names are Used For Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck is also called Turret Truck

Another name widely used for Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck is Reach Truck

How Many Types Of Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks Are Available In The Market?

There are two types of Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks.

1. Man Up VNA Truck                        Man- Down VNA truck

What Is Man-up And Man-Down VNA Truck? Elaborate

Man-up VNA trucks are the ones in which the seat of the operator can also be lifted while stocking up. The operator has the full view of the staking pallets and can place or pick the stock quite easily.

(Diagram 4)

Man-Down VNA trucks are the ones in which the operator’s seat doesn’t move up and down. Rather it stays on the ground and stacks the products on shelves without having a telescopic view of their placement. In some modern man-down, Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks screen is given for monitoring the placement of products on vertical pallet racks.

(Diagram 5)

Which VNA Truck Type is more convenient? Comparison between Man-up and Man-down Trucks

The choices companies make depends upon their convenience. Generally speaking, most of the warehouses prefer man-up VNA trucks, as the operator can reach the stocks easily and make adjustments accordingly unlike man-down VNA trucks where the operator has to stay on the ground and either stare up to imagine the space or else use the camera to have a better view.

How Does The Man-Up VNA Trucks Work?

Man-Up VNA Trucks also known as stand-up Rider order picker allows the operator to stand on the provided platform in the front and with all the controls transports the operator to the elevated level.

How to Do The Man-Down VNA Trucks Work?

Man-Down VNA trucks are also called sit-down rider has to counterbalance in the rear. Most of the time this counterbalance is a Heavy battery used to drive these trucks. Its design is provided with solid tires and a compartment for the operator.

What Is The Difference Between The Turret Truck And The Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

There is no difference between Turret Truck and Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck. They both are the same.

What Is The Ideal Width of The Forklift Aisle Of The VNA Truck?

A standard 48-inch pallet forklift aisle should be 12-13 feet wide. For very narrow aisle forklift trucks, the aisle can be squeezed down to the width of 8 to 10 feet or further reduced to 6 feet wide depending upon the specifications.

How High Can You Stack The Pallets?

According to the OSHA standards the pallets can be stacked at the height of 16 feet if the employees are doing manually and for the forklifts, the maximum height of 20 feet is allowed.

(OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

What Are The Benefits Of A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

1. Very narrow Aisle Forklift Truck can move with great speed even in a tight space.
2. They have the ability to place and remove stocks efficiently at commendable speed
3. The operator can work with much accuracy and precision with Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck. With a Man-up setting, exactitude is ensured as the operator has an accurate view of the storage space.
4. A more safe option to vertical storage capacity than manual hoard.
5. Work –efficient solution to Narrow Aisle Warehouse discipline.

What Is The Power-Source Of The Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

Most of the modern Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks are battery operated. They run on lead-acid batteries. However, there are modern trucks that are equipped with Lithium-ion batteries. The machinery is expensive than the prior one but if we consider cost-effectiveness then the latter option is more economical as Lithium-ion batteries are durable and require zero maintenance.

What Are The Distinctive Features of CUBLIFT’s Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

• Compact design
• Capacity to facilitate 10000kg to 15000kg weight
• It is equipped with a smart handle
• It has a self-error detection function
• Smart display to track down the operations
• Electronic Brakes

What Is The Benefit Of Self Error Detection In CUBLIFT’s Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck function?

The self error detection system is a bonus beneficial feature of the CUBLIFT’s Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck.  A manual Analyzer is not required if your machinery faces any error. The Machine runs a self-diagnostic test and points out the exact error it is facing. The procedure is no doubt time-saving and cost-effective.

What Factors Are To Be Considered While Buying Aisle Truck?

Buying an aisle truck is a careful decision, therefore, pre-planning is necessary and consideration of vital factors makes you chose the right equipment to meet your requirements.

While buying an aisle truck for your business reflects on the following factors:

1. The width of the aisle.
2. The weight carried by the machine
3. Height of the stacking

What Is The Price Of A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck In the International Market?

Narrow aisle trucks come in different designs and specifications. The price of these trucks varied due to their functionality and durability. However, a usual Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck could cost around US$40,000 to US$ 46,000

What Is The Price Of A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck In Pakistan?

A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck averagely costs companies 10,00,000 to 30,00,000 Pak Rupees.

What Is Load Capacity Of A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

Generally, A very Narrow Aisle forklift truck offers a load capacity of 3000lb to 3500lb but different machines have varied load capacity depending upon their specifications.

What Is Load Capacity Of CUBLIFT’s Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

CUBLIFT’s Very narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks is manufactured with an aim to provide maximum facilities to its customers. It is a modern discipline proposing a load capacity up to 1000kg to 1500kg.

To What Height Forks of The Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck can be lifted?

It mainly depends upon the design and machine’s specification but generally, it can lift from the height of 14 meters to 17 meters.

To What Height Forks of The CUBLIFT’s Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck can be lifted?

CUBLIFT’s Very Narrow Aisle Truck has a better stack height potential system. Lift itself comes with a height ranging from 1600mm to 3500mm. Mast lower height ranges from 2110 to 2275mm whereas mast extended height ranges from 2110mm to 4016mm.

How Would You Breakdown 7 Classes Of Forklift?

Class 1: Electric Motor Rider Trucks

Class 2: Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks

Class 3: Electric Motor Hand or Hand-Rider Trucks

Class 4: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks—Cushion Tires

Class 5: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks—Pneumatic Tires

Class 6: Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Tractors

Class 7: Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks

In Which Class Does A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck Fall?

A Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck falls in Class II of Forklift Classes.

What Are The Characteristic Features Of Class II Forklift?

Class II forklifts are designed to work in closed smaller spaces. They use solid cushioned tires. Forklifts like reach trucks, side loaders, order picker, very narrow aisle trucks are included in Class II.

Do You Need A License To Drive Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

This is the skill that requires special training. Understanding the operations of the aisle truck is as important as driving it in the right direction. Obtaining a license for driving a very narrow aisle forklift truck depends upon the laws of the region you are driving in. However, companies give in-house training to their employees to become a skillful driver of the forklifts trucks or some companies do spend on their workers to obtain LF and LO license.

For operating a Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck, you need to obtain LO license.

Where Can I Get Training To Become Skilful Driver For Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

There are some professional courses offered that have international recognition to become a skillful driver for Narrow Aisle trucks. Some vocational institutes in your region might offer LO and LF license courses. The license open new ways for all those who have passed the training and now are considered as an authentic forklift driver. However, as stated above acquiring a license or not purely depends upon the region you are working in.

What Is LF And LO License?

An LF license is the one that allows you to operate every forklift truck except those that are classified as LO vehicles.

LO classified vehicles are load-shifting order picking trucks.

LO license only allows you to operate LO classified vehicles and you are not allowed to drive any other forklift. Turret trucks that are also known as VNA trucks or Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks are an example of load-shifting order-picking trucks.

What Is Wire Guidance System?

A wire guidance system is an electronic and mechanical system in which wire is buried inside the floor with a deep cut of ½” to 5/8”. As the name suggests it is a guidance system. This guidance system is used to guide Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks.

(Diagram 6)

How Is Wire Guidance System Helpful For Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck?

In Narrow Aisle, Passageway is quite compact so a Wire Guidance system is installed to guide the movement of the Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck. It controls the steering of the vehicle and lets the operator focus on other important tasks thus boosting productivity. It allows the truck to move in full speed with the help of the navigation by the signals wire send to the sensors of the truck.

How Does The Wire Guidance System Work?

In each narrow Aisle warehouse, an electromagnetic wire is buried under the floor. This wire is kept at the depth of almost ½” to 5/8”. The electromagnetic signals produced by wire are received by sensors in the steering of Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks.  Now this wire is energized by low-level radiofrequency. The sensors system connects those signals with the steering of the trucks and the driving mechanism is automatically controlled by the wire.

The Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Truck is compelled to follow the path of the wire. This allows the operator to get their minds off the driving system and do other productive works instead like stockpiling, stock arrangements, etc.

(Diagram 7)

What Are The Benefits Of Wire Guidance System For Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks?

There are several benefits of the Wire Guidance System. Some of them include:

• Less product and rack damage
• Time-saving
• Guided movement of the aisle trucks
• Less worry about the driving mechanism

What Is The Cost Of The Installation Of The Wire Guidance System?

Normally the wire guidance system costs about $6000 to $9000 per Truck. The cost of installation and wire itself is not included in this cost. The cost is justified by the benefits this system provides.

Do We Have Other Guidance System That Can Be Installed In Narrow Aisle Warehouses For Guided Movement Of Very Narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks?

Yes, we have options other than the Wire guidance system. It is called Rail Guidance

What Is Rail Guidance System?

A Rail Guidance system is another guided path for Very Narrow Aisle Forklift trucks.

In this method, L-shaped rails are bolted to the floor.  The aisle trucks move on those rails. Rollers of the truck rollover the rails and this keeps the truck in the center of the aisle. The method is cost-effective but it is not ideal for larger organizations. Small companies could get benefits from the Rail Guidance System.

(Diagram 8)

What Are The Steps/Tips To Maintain Very narrow Aisle Forklift Trucks?

The durability and lifespan of the VNA trucks totally depend upon the way you take care of them. There are some steps to add extra years to your VNA truck.

Regular checkup:  It is important to give your VNA machinery time. Checking brakes and steering regularly can save your future complications. Scheduling weekly and monthly maintenance sessions would make your truck as well as you, happy and satisfied.

Battery maintenance:  If you want your VNA truck to run smoothly, it is vital to take care of the battery your truck use. If your battery is required to be charged at regular intervals of time make sure that you do it religiously.  It is wise to charge the battery overnight rather than charging it in shorter intervals of time.

Don’t hesitate to replace new batteries whenever compulsory because this would ultimately enhance the life of your VNA truck.

Warehouse matters:  Your VNA truck has to endure the environment of your warehouse. It is crucial to lay out a careful plan for your warehouses to facilitate the truck as much as possible. The racking system, the width of the aisles, the proper guidance system, all should be laid out keeping in mind the specifications of your VNA trucks.

Maintaining tires: Since the whole load is carried by the tires of VNA trucks. It is crucial to give them proper care. Along with other precautions focus on the following points:

• Avoid sudden brakes
• check air pressure regularly

Operator’s Training:   Trained operators can operate the trucks more efficiently and more likely to make fewer mistakes and less damage to the machine as well as the property. Skilled operators are keen to keep the forklifts in better condition.