Material Handling Information - Forklift & Pick-to Vehicles
Material Transport Systems
Forklift & Pick-to Vehicles
Counterbalance forklift vehicles are the most common form of conventional material handling for pallet-sized loads. Most are designed to move pallets using steel tines (forks). Other forms of conventional material handling vehicles and pick-to-vehicles include narrow aisle (NA) and very narrow aisle (VNA), walkie/rider, and man-up vehicles.
Product Type
Mechanical material transport vehicle.
Product Components
Vehicle.
Operator.
Product Variations
Narrow Aisle (NA) -- Similar to counterbalance forklift truck, but designed to work in narrower aisles to increase storage density.
Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) -- Similar to counterbalance forklift truck, but designed to work in narrower aisles with minimal side clearance to maximize storage density. Uses side guide rails or wire guidance.
Man-Up -- Similar to VNA, except operator travels vertically with the lift carriage. Typically used for order picking directly from racks.
Walkie/Rider -- Powered pallet jack with the operator either riding on or walking behind. Some are able to unload pallets at table height; some have double-long forks to handle two pallets. Used for pallet moving or order picking.
Product Specifications
Counterbalance Forklift Truck
Narrow Aisle (NA)
Very Narrow Aisle (VNA)
Walkie/Rider
Man-Up
Minimum
aisle width
12
ft.
(3.6 m)
9
ft.
(2.7 m)
5.5
ft.
(1.65 m)
N/A
5.5
ft.
(1.65 m)
Maximum
load weight
12,000
lbs.
(5,400 kg)
5,000
lbs.
(2,250 kg)
5,000
lbs.
(2,250 kg)
8,000
lbs.
(3,600 kg)
4,000
lbs.
(1,800 kg)
Speed
10-15
MPH
(16-24 km/hr.)
5-7
MPH
(8-11 km/hr.)
5-7
MPH
(8-11 km/hr.)
3-8
MPH
(5-13 km/hr.)
3-8
MPH
(5-13 km/hr.)
Typical
vertical reach
12.5-25
ft.
(3.75-7.5 m)
16-30
ft.
(4.8-9 m)
16-30
ft.
(4.8-9 m)
N/A
16-30
ft.
(4.8-9 m)
Power
Gasoline
Battery
Propane
Battery
Battery
Battery
Battery
Integration Options
Process input/output stations.
Automated storage input/output stations.
Rack storage.
Shipping/receiving docks.
Operation
Transportation.
Picking.
Replenishment.
Applications
Manual material movement for:
Transporting raw materials, work-in-process, and/or
finished goods between storage buffers and workstations.
Transporting finished goods from order-picking workstations
to consolidation and shipping.
