Purchasing or Leasing a new or used reach forklift can be a big investment and choosing the right model for your warehouse requirements is important. Reach forklifts are great for warehouses where aisle space is limited, and/or racking heights are 6+ meters high - some reach trucks will reach up to 15m high!
When operating these reach forklifts, the driver can be seated sideways or in a sideward standing position. There are two main types of reach truck Moving Mast and Pantographic. But what are these, and how do they differ?
PANTOGRAPHIC REACH >>
A pantograph reach truck uses a scissor reach mechanism which extends forks forward allowing it to reach into racking. The mast will remain stationary, whilst the forks reach out. These reach forklifts are designed to load pallets by steering into the racking. Racking layouts can be set up to have clearance beams to allow straddle legs to go underneath the racking, and can also allow bottom pallets to be loaded directly onto the floor. Pantographic Reach Trucks are typically stand-up configurations for the operator, this allows operators to hop on and off quickly for short loading intervals.
MOVING MAST REACH >>
A moving mast reach truck uses a hydraulic system which allows the entire mast to reach forward. This type of reach forklift is more common, and are suited to manoeuvre in narrow aisles as well as heavier duty applications. These are fitted as standard with larger-diameter wheels, which give them higher ground clearance. They are usually a sit-down configuration for the operator, which minimises operator fatigue when using the forklift for longer periods.
If you're considering to purchase or lease a reach truck for your warehouse operations, give us a call and we'll help find a solution that will meet your requirements. TASK Forklifts offer a range of used and new pantographic and moving mast reach trucks. For more information call us on: 1300 13 2002.
