If you have ever considered purchasing or hiring a forklift, here are some questions you should be asking 

 

What is a reach truck?

 

A reach truck is a specialised forklift, that is electric usually and designed for warehouse use.  It is designed to maximise the use of height- high lift heights are normal on these machines – up to 12-15 metres on some units. and to operate in the smallest aisle width to also maximise the number of racking aisles.

 

Why should I consider buying a reach truck?

 

If you have a warehouse, and are pushed for space and need to fit as much stock and racking into the space available, you should consider a reach truck.

 

What is the difference between a reach truck and forklift?

 

A reach truck is designed to operate at high lift and in narrow racking aisle widths.  It is a purpose build machine for warehouse work.

 

How high can a reach truck reach?

 

You can get a unit that lifts up to 15 meters.  The most common units lift from 6-9 metres.

 

What is the difference between a reach truck and counterbalance?

 

A reach truck has legs out the front, and in combination with a moving mast or pantographic reach reduce the size of the forklifts operating footprint so it can operate in the smallest possible space.  A counterbalance forklift is designed for more outside use and is not designed with racking widths in mind.  They are considerably longer, up to twice the length.

 

How do you start a reach truck?

 

A reach truck can be key operated or with a keypad and a code system to engage startup is used.

 

Is a reach truck same as an order picker?

 

 

No.  With an order picker, the unit is designed to travel down aisles and stock to be loaded onto it.  An order picker is not designed for the movement of palletised stock into and out of racking and the loading of trucks.  As the name suggests it is for Picking Order off the racked stock.

 

What does a reach truck look like?

 

 

Is it hard to drive a reach truck?

 

A reach truck drives completely differently to a counterbalance forklift.  In Australia it is the same licence.  But when you are first learning to operate a reach truck it should be approached with caution and a great deal of respect.

 

What is a double reach forklift?

 

A double deep reach truck is made so it can store pallets 2 deep.  It can reach far enough back into the racking to lift out a second pallet.  Be aware that double deep units usually have to have their legs go under the bottom racking.  So the bottom pallet does not go on the floor, but is raised so that the legs can go into the rack to facilitate the double deep reach.  Double deep units are specialised and so it the racking they operate with.

 

 

Can reach trucks load trucks with pallets?

 

Yes,  reach trucks can be used to load trucks with pallets .  Reach trucks need very good ground, smooth concrete, flat ground, no lips, bumps etc.  They need very good surfaces to operate on.  Usually, a counterbalance unit would be used tom load pallets onto trucks outside.

 

Can Reach trucks can load trucks?

 

 

Yes,  reach trucks can be used to load trucks. .  Reach trucks need very good ground, smooth concrete, flat ground, no lips, bumps etc.  They need very good surfaces to operate on.  Usually, a counterbalance unit would be used tom load pallets onto trucks outside.

 

How much should I expect to pay for a reach truck?

 

That depends on a lot of factors.

 

 

Here are some other questions you could ask your forklift dealer when purchasing a teach truck

 

• How high do you need to Lift?
• What Weight at what height?
• Do you want double deep?
• What type of floor do you have to operate on?
• How many hours a day do you want to use it?
• What racking aisle width do you hope to operate in?
• Do you have access to 3 phase power for charging?

 

 If you want a qualified forklift mechanic to inspect your forklift, please call Troy on 07 3865 1205