Product category:
Stacking and picking, aisle trucks, tower trucks, container trucks
News Release from: SPECIAL REPORT by the Editor | Subject: VNA trucks
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 August 2007
Very narrow aisle trucks bring
productivity
The increasing adoption of very narrow aisles in warehousing and storage has lead to a number of design challenges for lift truck manufacturers and a resurgence in narrow-aisle innovation.
The increasing adoption of very narrow aisles in warehousing and storage applications has lead to a number of design challenges for lift truck manufacturers and a resurgence in narrow-aisle truck innovation On the whole, two types of VNA truck (very narrow aisle truck), or turret truck design have developed, those adapted from conventional designs for pallet handling, using forks, and those allowing an operator to hand-pick items from shelves and racks
The latter involve lifting a person in a cage to the highest locations in the warehouse or store and therefore require the utmost in safety considerations.
The main advantage of employing narrow aisles is the ability to save space but decreasing cycle times has been a major issue.
In some cases, the inability to turn less space and shorter distances into time savings has proved a disappointment.
Very narrow aisles are typically just over one metre to just over two metres wide, the distance determined by the type of truck chosen.
Hyster offers a choice of seven models of its C series man-up turret trucks.
Claiming to maximise storage space and reduction in cost-per-load, Hyster says that cube utilisation is maximised with options to its masts.
Quick movement of travel and lift allows enhanced productivity, made possible with high capacity AC motors powering traction and hydraulics, whilst simultaneous operation of various functions is possible.
Further options are available on controls orientation, with front-mounted controls allowing frequent boarding and disembarkation of the truck and side-of-the-seat controls suited to high throughput applications and palletised working.
Other features include more legroom, operator-detecting sensors, better load stability and fork tip visibility.
Narrow Aisle manufactures a large range of advanced VNA trucks, including its Flexi Mod G4 which can operate in aisles of just 1642mm and lift to 12 metres.
The articulated truck is claimed to cut handling costs in half, with a 2.5 metre transfer aisle width capability and the ability to work in counterbalanced truck applications too, meaning a separate truck is often not needed.
Mitsubishi's TB Series truck boasts a robust design turret head and a large battery with 876Ah capacity.
Totally programmable, the truck can be tailored to the application.
Lifting to 9m, the truck works in 1700mm aisles.
The Jungheinrich VNA range encompasses various designs and configurations and lift heights up to 14.57m., and load capacities to 1.5 tonnes.
The EFX 410-413 is a versatile truck incorporating brake-recharge and 3-phase capability.
Thumb-controlled hydraulics and other functions, along with integrated steering wheel, add to the ergonomics of the series.
ETX and EKX models complete the range, the EKX being a man-up model suitable for heights up to 7.75m and loads to 1 tonne.
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