Narrow aisle storage solutions

Narrow aisles are traffic routes for industrial trucks between high-bay warehouses with a clear aisle width of approx. 1,400 to 2,100 mm. These restricted traffic routes require special vehicles that move exclusively and optionally automatically in the narrow aisle.

Empty narrow-aisle warehouse with K appliance

Narrow aisle trucks accelerate and lift at the same time

High safety and accuracy thanks to countless assistance systems

With storage heights of up to 18.5 meters, high storage capacities are possible in the tightest of spaces

Empty narrow aisle warehouse with K device from behind

Narrow aisle truck: order picking and storage in the tightest of spaces

High handling capacities and safe handling processes in the smallest of spaces - the high-bay stackers and vertical order pickers from Linde Material Handling are perfectly adapted to the challenges of narrow aisles. With high-performance drive and lift motors that allow the forklift truck to accelerate and lift at the same time, the desired position in the rack is reached quickly.

Other optional assistance systems protect against accidents and enable fast warehouse navigation. Intelligent energy feedback during braking and lowering of the load saves energy costs and ensures longer endurance for the trucks.

Sophisticated assistance systems get the high-bay stacker to its destination

In order to transport as many goods as possible in the shortest possible time in a narrow aisle, VNA forklift trucks from Linde use various assistance systems as well as the optional Linde warehouse navigation system. This system shows the driver the exact storage position for goods on a display. All he has to do is activate the drive function and he reaches his destination with pinpoint accuracy. Positioning aids such as camera systems, which simplify handling at great heights, or the automated fork cycle are further assistance systems. Here, the vehicle performs three movements automatically at the touch of a button when loading or unloading a pallet. The Linde System Control recognizes whether there is a load on the fork and automatically starts the corresponding movement cycle.

K device control close up
Bearing density in narrow aisle

Increased bearing density due to narrow aisle systems

Narrow aisle solutions are an economical alternative especially when a warehouse is planned and implemented accordingly from the very beginning. But this concept can also pay off when redesigning an existing warehouse - for example, when pallet turnover increases or storage space becomes scarce. In most warehouses, aisle widths of more than 2.70 m are standard. For narrow aisle systems, only about 1.70 m is required. This alone gives you up to 25% more storage space. In addition, narrow-aisle racking can be built much higher - up to 18 m. When using Euro pallets, this means an overall increase in storage space utilization of up to 50 %.

Our narrow aisle equipment

Narrow aisle truck: order picking and storage in the tightest of spaces

High handling capacities and safe handling processes in the smallest of spaces - the high-bay stackers and vertical order pickers from Linde Material Handling are perfectly adapted to the challenges of narrow aisles. With high-performance drive and lift motors that allow the forklift truck to accelerate and lift at the same time, the desired position in the rack is reached quickly.

Other optional assistance systems protect against accidents and enable fast warehouse navigation. Intelligent energy feedback during braking and lowering of the load saves energy costs and ensures longer endurance for the trucks.

Man-Up devices

Man-up devices are suitable for retrieval and storage as well as picking of goods. Here, the operator moves flexibly upwards with the goods.
Man up device in high rack

Man-down devices

Man-down devices are exclusively suitable for storing and retrieving goods. Here, the operator of the device sits rigidly at the bottom when the goods are moving upwards.

Downloads

Narrow aisle storage solutions - All information (PDF)

Performance level of different types of vehicles

Since narrow aisle vehicles can drive and lift at the same time, storing and retrieving pallets at a height of 10 m is possible in almost the same time as at ground level. This is a considerable advantage over other types of vehicles. Assuming a rack height of 6 m and an average work rate, a forklift truck moves 18 - 22 pallets per hour and a reach truck 19 - 23 (even less for drive-in racks or double-deep storage). In comparison, narrow-aisle trucks enable by far the highest handling performance, namely 24 - 30 pallets per hour. 

Cost savings through use of narrow aisle vehicles

Narrow-aisle vehicles offer maximum safety in load handling. This makes them ideal for transporting high-value goods, where any damage results in high costs. Since the operator of a forcibly guided vehicle always remains at the same level as the pallet during storage and retrieval, damage to goods and racking is much less frequent (up to 90%). In terms of safety, narrow-aisle vehicles are clearly superior to counterbalanced and reach trucks.

Frequently asked questions about narrow aisle and high rack stackers

Narrow aisles are rack aisles in which the vehicle is positively guided with small safety distances of usually 90 to 180 mm. This can only be achieved with a device specially developed for this purpose, which can steer unerringly through even the narrowest spaces. The devices are guided inductively or mechanically.
Manfred Brunner

Do you still have questions?

Manfred

Brunner

Product Manager Narrow Aisle Storage Solutions + Tugger Trains

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