There are many ways to save space when a company needs to store standard-sized pallets. These could include a narrow aisle racking system but also double deep, push back, drive in and even mobile racking.
The cost of these options varies but, generally, the more expensive the system, the more benefit it will be to the customer. For example, mobile racking is the most expensive but in a cold store, this system is the most cost-effective in terms of the cost per cubic metre of space to keep cold (down to -23OC). On all these options, there is a cost/saving equation to consider.
However, when it comes to handling long loads, enormous savings in space and therefore cost can be made when handling the goods sideways rather than on the forks of a counterbalance truck, and this is easily attained using a sideloader. Timber yards generally use this kind of equipment for the indoor/outdoor storage of their long products which can be up to 6m long but, for an indoor only application where the cost of space and heating a building has to be considered, the cost savings overall can be huge. Whereas a sideloader for handling timber is predominately two-way, the best indoor trucks are now widely considered to be highly manoeuvrable vehicles with four-way or multi-directional steering.
For indoor operation, many companies now prefer to use electrically-powered trucks to help cut emissions, running costs and noise levels.
Racking system
The chosen truck has to work in perfect harmony with the racking system which is necessary if the space allowed for storage is restricted. A properly designed racking system and truck create a safe and efficient space-saving storage system. For example, a 1200mm-deep racking system needs only an aisle of just over 2000mm to allow a sideloader with a long load to work, provided it is guided.
Choosing a truck to handle long loads in a tight indoor environment is not too difficult. Although there are not so many manufacturers of this type of equipment to choose from, they all generally offer and understand the requirements for a given application. Investigating their background and seeing plenty of similar applications with happy customers is equally important, though.
There are three types of guiding system suitable for indoor sideloaders:
Rail: a rail is placed in front of the racking and the fork truck has guide rollers fitted which simply roll along the front of the rail. It is important for long-term performance of the rail to ensure that the truck’s steering is automatically disengaged when it is in the aisle. This ensures that virtually no pressure is put on the rail itself by the truck.
Wire: sensors on the truck detect a wire fitted centrally about 25mm below the concrete surface and the truck moves along it without any deviation.
Optical: like wire guidance but the truck reads a line in the aisle and follows it. Although the painted line is cheaper initially to install, it can wear off and must be kept clean for the truck to be able to follow it.
The cost of each system depends on the size of the installation but, generally speaking, rail is cheaper for smaller installations and there is a definitive point where wire or optical guidance becomes more cost-effective.
Truck design
Saving space with the truck design is also possible. If the driver’s position is standing up or sitting facing down the truck, as much as 300mm can be saved per aisle. In such a tight environment, features on the truck to help the driver could include a mast reach damper and perhaps a CCTV monitor if he is required to retrieve goods from above say 9m.
A little investment in time to consider a harmonious racking and truck system for handling long loads will be worthwhile when the long-term benefits of reduced costs, efficiency and safety are all considered.
