Thanks to their versatility, the reach trucks are able to serve external and internal environments at the same time. But how is all this possible?

When a company decides to invest in the purchase of a fleet of forklifts, the first choice it faces is between the thermal and electrical solution. At least, initially, the two models were designed for different purposes, the first for external use, and the second for internal use. In recent years, the market has deeply focused on the purchase of electrical solutions, which today are able to replace thermal forklifts almost completely, underlining their strengths and mitigating their defects. Reach trucks played an important role in this step.

The reach trucks: the right compromise for operations inside and outside the warehouse

The introduction of electric forklifts with a retractable mast has immediately enabled a reduction in the work corridors inside the warehouses, optimizing spaces more effectively than the classic electric front forklift. At first, the reach trucks were used for internal use only, on smooth, perfectly flat and clean ground. This required coexistence with the classic “forklifts”, both diesel and electric, which completed all those operations to be externally carried out from loading and unloading trucks to storing materials.

The introduction of super elastic wheels on the market has made it possible to break this balance. In fact, thanks to these new outdoor wheels, the reach trucks have become highly versatile, constantly allowing the entrance and the departure from the logistics systems. This way, thanks to the use of one forklift, it is possible to operate on asphalt forecourts and floors, picking up the goods directly from the truck outdoors and storing it on the shelves inside. All while maintaining the advantages of electric forklifts: eco-sustainability and zero harmful emissions, significant reduction of noise and reduction of energy costs.

The multidirectional models and cushion wheels

A further technological step came with the introduction of the multidirectional driving system and the innovative set-up with cushion rubber wheels. But what are their pros? The multi-directionality allows in fact the possibility of lateral movement as well, which permits the handling of long loads, up to 12.000 mm. The resulting increase in flow rates is guaranteed by the use of cushion wheels that can endure great weights and offer greater stability than super elastic tires. These advantages are combined with a series of important features: small dimensions compared to a sideloader, smaller working lanes compared to a frontal one, mixed use both inside and outside, flexibility in the management of loads, optimal movements also in small spaces, passage through doors and bottlenecks even with long loads on the forks.

There are also many uses for this type of forklifts: from the construction warehouse that moves loads of various types to the small company that moves long loads, although occasionally, or that needs to move them on asphalt forecourts.