Blog

In modern warehousing and logistics operations, maximizing storage capacity while maintaining safety and efficiency is a constant challenge. Reach truck forklifts are specifically designed to solve this problem, offering a smarter and more efficient solution for narrow aisles and high-rack storage.

Compared with conventional stackers or counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks feature a unique structural design that delivers outstanding maneuverability, stability, and high-level handling performance.

What Is a Reach Truck Forklift?

A reach truck forklift is a type of electric warehouse forklift used mainly for pallet handling, stacking, and short-distance transportation.
It is commonly powered by batteries, making it ideal for indoor warehouse environments such as distribution centers, supermarkets, and manufacturing facilities.

Reach trucks are especially suitable for operations that require frequent access to high shelves within limited space.

Reach Mechanism: Smaller Turning Radius, Higher Efficiency

One of the most distinctive features of a reach truck is its forward-reaching mast and forks.

• When picking up or placing goods, the mast extends forward

• During travel, the mast retracts, significantly shortening the overall vehicle length

This design greatly reduces the turning radius while maintaining excellent driving stability, allowing reach trucks to operate efficiently in narrow aisles and high-density racking systems.

How Reach Trucks Differ from Standard Stackers

Unlike conventional counterbalanced or straddle stackers, reach trucks operate in a different way:

• Standard stackers usually insert support legs into the pallet bottom

• Reach trucks move the mast and forks forward beyond the front wheels to pick or place loads

Once the load is secured, the mast retracts and brings the load back into the support area. This ensures that the load center remains within the stability triangle, improving safety during travel and lifting operations.

Stable Structure for High-Level Indoor Operations

Reach trucks are typically equipped with two tall front support legs, each fitted with wheels to enhance load stability during lifting and stacking.

Compared with traditional straddle stackers, reach trucks offer:

• Larger front wheels for smoother travel

• Higher support legs for better pallet compatibility

• A lifting mechanism that travels along inner guide rails for enhanced rigidity

After picking up a load, the mast slightly retracts and lifts the cargo to a safe traveling height, ensuring stability even during high-level operations.

Optimized Load Center for Enhanced Safety

Like straddle stackers, reach trucks are designed to keep the center of gravity within the vehicle’s support plane at all times.
This structural advantage allows reach trucks to maintain excellent stability during lifting, driving, and turning, making them a safe and reliable choice for indoor warehouse and factory applications.

Typical Applications

Thanks to their compact design and high lifting capability, reach truck forklifts are widely used in:

• Warehouses and distribution centers

• Supermarket backrooms and retail logistics

• Food and pharmaceutical storage facilities

• High-rack, narrow-aisle storage systems

Conclusion

A reach truck forklift is more than just a forklift with a reaching mast—it is a purpose-built solution for high-density storage environments.
With its compact structure, excellent stability, and superior high-level handling performance, the reach truck plays a vital role in improving space utilization and operational efficiency in modern warehouses.