Mobile Rack. These racks are movable and eliminate fixed aisles. Access aisles can be created as needed.
Heights to which pallets can be stored in these modules will depend on the lifting capabilities of the lift trucks and the clear stacking height in the building.
Material Handling Equipment.
Many different types of material handling equipment, with a wide range of operating characteristics, are available to store and retrieve material from various storage modules.
Less Than a Pallet Load Per Item.
For cases and totes stored in shelving and bin drawers, handling equipment such as carts, hand trucks, and platform trucks are commonly used.
Carts. These can be described as shelving on four wheels. Aisle clearance depends on the size of the cart. Most carts for use with shelving are able to work in 36-inch aisles.
Hand trucks. With two wheels, hand trucks are less stable and transport fewer items in one trip. These trucks are typically used in moving heavy, irregularly shaped objects.
Platform trucks. Platform trucks are usually larger than carts but have only one level or deck, called a platform. They can transport a large number of items at a time.
Pallet loads. For handling pallet loads, different types of lift trucks in common use are:
Counterbalanced Lift Truck. These trucks are versatile vehicles. They can operate efficiently on docks to load or unload trailers, and they are most suitable for going up and down ramps. They can handle pallets and unit loads in various storage modules. Their operation is similar to an automobile and therefore easier to learn than many other types of lift trucks. They can be powered by electricity, diesel fuel, gasoline, propane, or natural gas. They can have pneumatic, cushioned, or solid tries. They generally require aisle widths starting at approximately 12feet, depending on the make and capacity.