The Method of Retrieval is the last major factor to consider the warehouse layout and design of your storage system. If there is a lot of unused vertical space in your warehouse you should consider the cost of going up instead of out. This space is free compared to the cost of new building construction or leasing more space. The type of lift equipment you have can make a significant difference in your floor layout and use of vertical space. When surveying the area to determine the need, you need to take the following into consideration:
1. Do you own or lease your lift trucks? If you’re reconfiguring your layout to get more capacity in the existing space, consider upgrading to a vehicle with newer technology, higher capacity, and greater lift heights.
2. Do you want your lift equipment to serve the dual purpose of loading/unloading trucks and entering the rack system? The type of lift equipment selected depends on the desired output of your operation and a basic summary of their capabilities follows:
Basic lift truck facts:
Standard sit-down lift trucks and three-wheel trucks (electric or propane) generally require an 11’ to 12’ clear aisle to perform right angle stacking functions. They will enable you to load/unload trucks, but the down side is the wider aisle requirement. Stand-up reach trucks will cut your aisle requirements down to 8’-6” to 9’-6” and will generally increase your building capacity by 25% with a throughput increase of 25% over the standard sit-down vehicle, but they cannot be used load or unload trucks. Deep-reach trucks will generally give you a 35% increase in capacity with a 9’-0” to 10’-0” aisle and a 25% increase in throughput, but you won’t be able to load or unload trucks with it as well.
Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) turret trucks or swing reach trucks (man up or down) operate in aisles of about 5’-0” to 6’-0”, which can double the storage capacity of your building compared to the standard lift truck, but they must remain captive to the system without being able to load or unload trailers. If you employ a reach truck or VNA vehicle, you’ll need to supplement your material handling vehicles with electric or manual pallet jacks to perform loading or unloading functions. The ONLY VNA truck that will enable you to load and unload trucks and work in a tight 6’-0” to 7’-0” aisle is the Bendi, which has an articulating mast.
In addition to your lift trucks, vertical lifts can enhance the productivity of any automobile facility, or warehouse that has multiple levels of storage. The lifts can be installed in a pit or can be surface mounted utilizing a ramp for access, providing access through mezzanines or any floor in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, parts departments, or self-storage facilities. They can be engineered to hold up to 6,000 lbs., can be single or double-wide, cantilevered or double-mast, and can reach virtually any heights or multiple floors.
The equipment you have or acquire can have a dramatic effect on your warehouse layout and capacity. Make sure you consider your space requirements when deciding the lift equipment required to support your operation.