An ITA Class II forklift designed for narrow aisles with extending forks.
Detailed Definition
A reach truck is an electric lift truck in Class II of the industry classification, the electric narrow aisle trucks. The operator usually stands sideways in a compartment. Two outrigger legs with load wheels run along the floor in front of the truck, and the forks extend forward to reach into the rack, either on a scissor pantograph or by moving the whole mast. Because the load can be pulled back between the outriggers while traveling, a reach truck works in narrower aisles than a sit-down counterbalanced forklift.
How a reach truck differs from a counterbalanced forklift
A counterbalanced forklift carries its load ahead of the front wheels and relies on a heavy rear counterweight, so it needs room to turn in the aisle. A reach truck carries the load closer to or within its wheelbase, which makes it shorter and lets it turn in less space. It is built for smooth indoor floors and rack storage, not for yards, ramps or rough surfaces.
Single-deep and double-deep reach
Standard reach trucks reach one pallet deep into selective rack. Double-deep reach trucks have a longer pantograph that reaches a second pallet behind the first, used with double-deep rack to increase storage density at the cost of direct access to every pallet.
Pallet and rack considerations
- Outriggers must clear the bottom beam or straddle the load, which affects the bottom beam height and pallet placement.
- Fork length and pallet orientation must match, so check how a 48 x 40 pallet will be presented.
- Capacity drops as lift height increases; use the truck's data plate, not the headline rating.
- Operators need training and evaluation under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178, as for any powered industrial truck.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a reach truck's capacity go down at height?
As the mast rises, small amounts of mast deflection and tilt move the load's center of gravity forward, which reduces stability. Manufacturers therefore rate the truck at a stated load center and show reduced capacities at higher lift heights on the data plate. Always use the capacity for the actual lift height and load center, and treat the truck's maximum rating as applying only near the floor.
Can a reach truck be used to load trailers?
Usually not. Reach trucks are designed for smooth, level warehouse floors, and their small load wheels and low ground clearance do not suit dock plates, ramps or trailer floors. Most warehouses use counterbalanced forklifts or electric pallet jacks at the dock and keep reach trucks in the rack aisles. Check the manufacturer's operating limits before using any truck on a dock plate.