Proudly presenting the Loadmac 825 truck mounted forklift. With a 2.5 tonne lifting capacity, the Loadmac 825 boasts genuine one-side offload, multi-directional steering and superior reach and stability when working in the toughest conditions. The high reach forklift rentals' low-profile design allows them to fit under standard 9 ft. Many units have mid-mounted engines and long wheelbases for greater mobility in mud and on rocks, rough terrain and hillsides. Our variable reach forklifts have maximum lift heights up to 56 ft. And load capacities up to 15,000 lbs.
What is Double-Deep Racking? Part 3 of this guide focuses on the basics of Double-Deep Racking. We will look at the key features of double deep racking & analyse the key advantages and disadvantages.
Remember before purchasing warehouse racking talk to your forklift provider. They will be able to provide you with expert knowledge on layout and what equipment and racking will suit your needs best.
Double Deep is similar to selective racking; but pallets are now stored two rows deep instead of one. This type of racking therefore requires specialised pallet handling equipment using ether a specialised forklift or a standard unit a with double deep handling attachment.
The most common forklift used for double-deep handing is a reach truck. One key disadvantage with reach trucks is that they require a counterbalance for loading and unloading the pallet onto trucks, which can double capital investment requirements for your pallet handling equipment.
Another Option is articulated forklifts which are able to work in double deep narrow aisles while still doing the job of a counter balance.
Double Deep: Pallet Handling Options
Hydraulic/Telescopic Attachments:
Perfect for handling Double-deep racking; this attachment allows any non-pantograph forklifts to be used to handle double deep pallet racking. Hydraulic pumps move the forks/tynes in or out; controlled by the forklift operator, allowing stock to be placed into the second row of a double deep racking system.
Advantages
- Lowers capital investment compared to scissor & pantograph masts.
- Reduces required aisle width when compared to manual fork extensions
- Increases handling of pallets and reduces stock damage compared to manual fork extensions.
- Clear visibility, no extra obstructions because of all extra moving parts of the scissor reach system.
Disadvantages
Reduces forklift lifting capacity
Pantograph/Scissor mast trucks:
Pantographic reach trucks are dedicated trucks designed for double deep pallet stacking. They ensure faster operating times compared to hydraulic fork attachments
Advantages
- Reduced aisle-widths
- Faster pallet handling times.
- Reduces pallet damage, due to smoother operation
Disadvantages
- Requires Counter-balance trucks for unloading and loading freight trucks.
- Reduced visibility when compared to Hydraulic forks.
- High capital investment
Layout
Double-Deep Racking is two pallet deep configuration pallet racking. This means a maximum of four rows can be placed back to back.
Pallet Access (LIFO)
Double-Deep is Last In First Out (LIFO). This type of racking reduces the amount of accessible stock keeping units (SKU’s) due to 50% of SKU’s being behind pallets when storage locations are at full capacity. Can increase pallet storage by as much as 10-15% depending on racking layout.
Double-deep is better suited to stock that has a medium to long term shelf life. Highly perishable goods aren’t recommended for this style of racking due to LIFO racking type.
Douple-Deep Racking Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Increased storage capacity compared with Selective Racking
- Medium to low storage system.
- Can increase pallet storage by as much as 10-15% depending on racking layout.
Disadvantages
- Reduced SKU’s accessibility
- LIFO inventory management.
- Special trucks required.
Double Reach Forklift For Sale
Forklift Racking application guide:
Counter-Balance
- Aisle widths – 3.8 to 5.5m (Wide aisles)
- Storage area – 45%
- Operating aisle area – 55%
- Lift height – up to 8m
Reach Trucks
- Aisle widths – 3.0 to 3.5m (medium aisles)
- Storage area – 55%
- Operating aisle area – 45%
- Lift height – up to 11.4m
Articulated Forklifts
- Aisle widths – 1.8-2.2m (narrow aisles)
- Storage area – 65%
- Operating aisle area – 34%
- Lift height – up to 12m
Before purchasing a forklift, it’s critical to know your aisle dimensions so that you select a forklift that will work in your environment. Taking the time to do this will save your company time and money and avoid the headache of purchasing a forklift that won’t work for your space. Use our guide to ensure you select the right forklift for your warehouse operation.
All the following measurements have been done with MCFA products specification sheets and using a standard pallet racking system (42” frames) with standard 48’’L X 40” W pallets.
Please note: When looking at your layout, you must take into account all building columns, utilities, and other obstructions that may affect your layout and prevent you from optimizing the number of pallets available.
Sit-Down Counterbalanced Forklifts
A sit-down counterbalanced forklift with a capacity rating of up to 6,000 lbs. will require aisle widths of approximately 13-feet for handling standard 48″ long pallets. This will also take into account the use of right angle stacking for placement of loads inside the storage racks.
Aisle Dimensions for Sit-Down Counterbalanced Forklifts
When using a sit-down counterbalanced forklift of any fuel type, with a capacity of 4,000 lbs. to 6,000 lbs., handling standard 48″ long pallets of materials, the standard requirement is 13-foot wide aisles for storing and retrieving pallets from the pallet racking.
When using a 3,000 lbs. capacity sit-down counterbalanced forklift, you will require 12.5-foot wide aisles, which won’t differ much from the 13-foot aisles mentioned above. You won’t get extra storage out of a lower capacity forklift.
For every additional double-row of racks added to the layout shown below, you are required to have an additional 21 feet of building width to accommodate the double rows of racking and the additional clearance width to access those racks.
When looking at your layout, you must take into account all building columns, utilities, and other obstructions that may affect your layout and prevent you from optimizing the number of pallets available.
Aisle Dimensions for Sit-Down Counterbalanced Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Stand-up Counterbalance Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Stand-up Counterbalanced Forklift Aisle Clearance
Narrow aisle stand-up counterbalanced forklifts will require aisle widths of approximately 11 feet for handling any standard 48″ long pallet loads, for right angle stacking of loads in storage racking. This is true for most narrow aisle forklifts that are rated capacities of 3,000 lbs. to 5,500 lbs.
Narrow Aisle reach trucks with a single reach application is also known as a pantograph forklift can operate at capacities up to 4,500 lbs. in aisles as narrow as 8.5-9 feet wide.
Aisle Dimensions for Narrow Aisle Stand-Up Counterbalanced Forklifts
When using a Narrow Aisle Stand-up counterbalanced forklift with a rated capacity of 3,000 lbs. to 4,500 lbs. while handling a standard 48″ pallet, you require an approximately 11-foot wide aisle for storing and retrieving pallets in a standard racking system.
For each additional double row of racks added to your layout shown below, you will require an additional 19 feet of building width to accommodate the double rows of racks and the additional width needed to access those racks.
When looking at your layout you must take into account all building columns, utilities, and other obstructions that may affect your layout thus prevent you from optimizing the number of pallets available for use.
Aisle Dimensions for Narrow Aisle Stand-up Counterbalanced Forklifts
Turret or Swing-Mast Very Narrow Aisle Forklifts
Turret or swing-mast narrow aisle forklifts require aisle widths approximately 6 feet with standard 48’’ long pallets with loads to be placed and retrieved inside the racking system. This type of forklift has an articulating swivel mast that pivots to place pallets on either the left or right of the machine into the standard racking system.
This type of narrow picking is accomplished with the first-in-first-out inventory system; which has many types of the same SKU (Stock Keep Units) and very few or only one or two loads of each is held within the inventory.
Aisle Dimensions for Turret or Swing Mast Forklifts
When using a Swing Mast or Turret Truck from 3,000 lbs. to 3,500 lbs. capacity that is handling the average 48″ pallet with a load you require approximately 6-feet wide aisles for storing and retrieving pallets out of the racks.
For each additional double row of racks added to the layout shown below you would require an additional 14 feet of building width to accommodate the double rows of racks and additional aisle needed to access those loads.
When looking at your layout you must take into account all building columns, utilities, and other obstructions that may affect your layout and prevent you from optimizing the number of pallets available for use.
Aisle Dimensions for Very Narrow Aisle Forklifts
Narrow Aisle Double Reach Forklifts
Stand up rider narrow aisle double reach or deep reach forklifts will require an aisle width of approximately 10 feet for standard 48″ long pallets with loads for placing and storing on standard racking at a right angle.
These forklifts have double scissor pantograph allowing for storage and retrieval in two deep standard racking.
Aisle Dimensions for Narrow Aisle Double Reach Forklifts
When using a Narrow Aisle Double Reach forklift that carries approximately 3,500 lbs on a standard 48″ pallet with a load you are required to have approximately 10-feet wide aisles for clearance when placing and retrieving pallets from the racking system.
For each additional quad-row of racking you must add to the layout (see right), you will be required to have an additional 26 feet of building width to accommodate the four rows of racks and additional aisles needed to access those racks.
When looking at your layout you must take into account all building columns, utilities, and other obstructions that may affect the layout and prevent you from optimizing the number of pallets available.
Aisle Dimensions for Narrow Aisle Double/Deep Reach Forklifts
TALK TO THE EXPERTS
Stand Up Double Reach Forklift
Finding your warehouse aisle dimensions is important for choosing the correct forklift for your application. Ensure that you don’t make costly mistakes by contacting us or calling one of our experienced forklift experts to assist with the measurements at 1 (800) 458-7941.
Reach Forklift Specs
Originally published 12/16/2016
Updated 4/5/2019