Why Choose a Reach Truck? Benefits, Uses & Buying Guide
As warehouse space becomes increasingly valuable, businesses are looking for smarter ways to maximise storage capacity without expanding their premises. Reach trucks are specifically designed to make the most of vertical space, allowing operators to store and retrieve pallets efficiently in high racking and narrow aisles.
Whether you’re managing a busy warehouse, distribution centre, or logistics operation, a reach truck can improve productivity while helping you optimise your storage layout. If you’re considering a used reach truck, this guide explains everything you need to know before making your investment.
What is a Reach Truck?
A reach truck is a specialist warehouse forklift designed for operating in narrow aisles and accessing high-level pallet racking. Unlike a conventional counterbalance forklift, the mast extends forwards to “reach” into the racking, allowing the truck to retrieve or place pallets without the need for a large counterweight.
This compact design makes reach trucks highly manoeuvrable and allows businesses to reduce aisle widths while maximising storage capacity.
Where are Reach Trucks Used?
Reach trucks are commonly used in indoor warehouse environments where efficient pallet storage is essential.
Typical applications include:
- Warehouses
- Distribution centres
- Logistics hubs
- Manufacturing facilities
- Retail distribution
- Food and beverage storage
- Cold storage facilities
- Wholesale operations
They are particularly well suited to businesses with high pallet racking and limited floor space.
Benefits of a Reach Truck
- Maximise Warehouse Space – Reach trucks are designed to operate in narrow aisles, allowing businesses to install more racking and increase storage capacity without extending their warehouse.
- Excellent High-Level Lifting – The extending mast enables operators to safely access high storage locations while maintaining excellent stability and precise load positioning.
- Improved Manoeuvrability – Their compact design allows reach trucks to navigate tight warehouse layouts with ease, making pallet handling quicker and more efficient.
- Smooth and Precise Operation – Reach trucks provide excellent visibility and precise hydraulic controls, allowing operators to place and retrieve pallets accurately, even at significant lifting heights.
- Increased Productivity – By improving access to high racking and reducing unnecessary travel, reach trucks help businesses move goods more efficiently and improve overall warehouse performance.
Are There Any Limitations?
Reach trucks are designed primarily for indoor warehouse use and perform best on smooth, level floors.
They are generally not suitable for rough terrain or demanding outdoor environments, where a counterbalance forklift or rough terrain forklift would be more appropriate.
Reach trucks are also intended for pallet handling rather than transporting loads over long distances, making them a specialist machine for warehouse operations.
Choosing the Right Reach Truck
Before purchasing a reach truck, it’s important to consider the layout and requirements of your warehouse.
Key factors include:
- Required lifting capacity
- Maximum lift height
- Warehouse aisle widths
- Racking configuration
- Daily operating hours
- Floor conditions
- Load dimensions
- Battery condition and charging facilities
Selecting the correct reach truck will help maximise efficiency while ensuring it meets your operational requirements.
Buying a Used Reach Truck
A quality used reach truck offers excellent value and can provide many years of reliable warehouse performance when properly maintained.
Maintaining a Reach Truck
Routine servicing is essential to keep a reach truck operating safely and efficiently.
Regular maintenance should include:
- Checking battery charge and connections
- Inspecting the reach mechanism
- Monitoring hydraulic hoses and cylinders
- Examining mast components and lift chains
- Checking wheels for wear
- Testing brakes and steering
- Inspecting forks for damage
- Following the manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule
Preventative maintenance helps reduce downtime while extending the working life of your equipment.
Reach Truck vs Counterbalance Forklift
Businesses often compare reach trucks with counterbalance forklifts when choosing warehouse equipment.
A counterbalance forklift is a versatile machine capable of loading vehicles and carrying pallets across a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. A reach truck, however, is purpose-built for warehouse storage. Its extending mast and compact design allow operators to work efficiently in narrow aisles and access high-level racking, making it the preferred choice for businesses looking to maximise storage space.
If your operation centres around warehouse storage and pallet retrieval, a reach truck is often the most efficient solution.
Why Choose North West Forktrucks?
At North West Forktrucks, we supply quality used reach trucks from leading manufacturers, helping businesses across the UK improve warehouse efficiency and maximise storage capacity.
Every truck is thoroughly inspected before sale, giving you confidence that you’re investing in reliable equipment that’s ready to perform. We also offer nationwide delivery, flexible finance options, servicing, and ongoing support to keep your business moving.
Find the Right Reach Truck
If your business needs to maximise warehouse space while improving productivity, a reach truck could be the perfect solution.
Browse our latest stock of quality used reach trucks or contact North West Forktrucks today. Our experienced team will be happy to help you find the right truck for your warehouse and operational requirements.
──── Latest Stock
View Our Reach Trucks
Browse our latest selection of used Reach Trucks below, or view our full stock here.
2015 Linde R16-01
£3,450.00
Capacity: 1600 kg, Hours: 9941, Lift Height: 5000mm, Mast: Standard
2014 Unicarriers UMS1500TFVRE725
£2,750.00
Capacity: 1500 kg, Hours: 11213, Lift Height: 7250mm, Mast: Triplex
2002 Linde R20P
£2,750.00
Capacity: 2000 kg, Hours: 4000, Lift Height: 4700mm, Mast: Triplex
2017 Hyster R1.6
£2,950.00
Capacity: 1600 kg, Hours: 12000, Lift Height: 6500mm, Mast: Triplex
2016 Unicarriers ULS140D
£3,450.00
Capacity: 1400 kg, Hours: 486, Lift Height: 5200mm, Mast: Triplex