Are reach trucks electric?

With the development of the logistics and forklift industries, electric forklifts have emerged as a smart and environmentally friendly type of industrial handling vehicle. So, are reach trucks used in large, densely packed warehouses electric? The answer is yes. Reach truck forklifts are a type of electric forklift, but they differ from counterbalanced electric forklifts.

A reach truck is an industrial handling vehicle and a type of warehouse forklift. It is a forward-moving wheeled transport vehicle used for loading, unloading, stacking, and short-distance transportation of palletized goods. It is used for transporting large objects in warehouses and is typically battery-powered. Reach trucks combine the advantages of counterbalanced electric forklifts and stacker trucks, offering environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, low noise levels, high lift capacity, and a small operating space.

Advantages of Reach Trucks

Warehouse reach trucks are electric narrow aisle (VNA) forklifts with a very tight turning radius, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor cargo handling.

This indoor electric forklift offers two major advantages: a compact design and a lift height of over ten meters. A reach truck moves the mast forward until the forks are positioned in front of the truck. This is called “reaching forward.” The load is then “pulled back” between the front and rear axles for subsequent transport. This operating principle shortens the truck’s overall length, making it highly maneuverable. It also improves driving stability and minimizes counterweight.

Reach Truck Types

Lead-Acid and Lithium-Battery Reach Truck Forklifts

These industrial handling vehicles can be categorized by battery type: lead-acid reach trucks and lithium-battery reach trucks.

Lead-acid batteries are relatively stable but also heavier, serving as both counterweight and power source for reach trucks. We use high-capacity, reputable lead-acid batteries with a lifespan of over five years.

Lithium-battery reach trucks are also a popular choice, and most are equipped with lithium iron phosphate batteries. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are relatively stable, have high density, and support fast charging. An external fast charger can significantly increase charging speed. Incidentally, ternary lithium batteries are generally not used for indoor warehouse vehicles. Although they offer high energy storage density and discharge capacity, they are unstable and prone to spontaneous combustion. Currently, we recommend against using electric forklifts powered by ternary lithium batteries. Therefore, current electric forklifts, including reach trucks, are powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Features

Below is an introduction to several of our electric reach truck forklifts. You can choose the appropriate indoor forklift based on your specific needs.

Reach Truck (1.6-2.5T, 13.5m Lifting Height)

This industrial transport truck features forward and backward tilting, and forward and reverse mast movement. While it can reach heights of over ten meters, its lifting capacity is relatively limited, reaching only approximately 3,000 kg. It is available in ride-on and stand-up forklift configurations based on the operating mode.

Our warehouse reach trucks offer the following advantages:

Wide-angle visibility and a high-strength, shock-absorbing mast.
Electronic steering, lightweight, and quiet.
Renowned American brand CURTIS drive control system.
Shimadzu brand low-noise hydraulic pumps and valves.
Detour fault detection and error code diagnosis.
High and low voltage limits.
Electrical overheat protection.
Automatic deceleration device for curves.

Scissors Reach Truck with a rated load of 1.6T.

Adding scissor forks to a reach truck increases the reach of the forks, allowing them to reach deeper shelves.

Scissors Reach Trucks are generally categorized as single-scissors reach trucks and double-scissors reach trucks. The addition of scissor forks results in a slightly reduced load capacity. However, it is a suitable warehouse forklift for handling lighter items and deeper shelves.

Three-Way Forklift with a rated load of 1.5T.

This warehouse forklift has a minimum stacking aisle of 1480mm, making it a narrow-aisle forklift. Its forks can move 180° to the left and right, and the operator console features a multi-function LCD instrument panel and drive wheel position display.

The Multi-directional Reach Truck has a rated load capacity of 1.5-2.5 tons.

This industrial truck features four-directional travel and drive speed compensation. Optional features include hydraulic distance adjustment, side shifters, and a lithium battery.

This truck also features large nylon tires, significantly improving travel speed and work efficiency.

Articulated forklifts

They are also a type of narrow-aisle forklift. Like counterbalanced electric forklifts, these trucks are equipped with larger solid tires and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Efficient AC motor, perfectly matched with a high-end controller, high torque, large traction, and more powerful.

Cast iron counterweight, good ballast effect, beautiful and practical.
Fingertip joystick control provides a better driving experience, more flexibility, and comfort. With improved inching performance, it is an ideal model for high-lifting conditions.
Intelligent instruments, power, usage time, and fault code visual display, more convenient operation and maintenance.
80V AC controller, 80V full AC, low current, lower heating, lower failure rate, slow-aging accessories.

Electric Order Picker, rated load capacity 1000kg

Order Pickers are specialized industrial vehicles used for picking goods in warehousing and logistics. Their core feature is a linked lifting design between the operating platform and forks. Powered by batteries and equipped with a hydraulic lift system, they offer two functional categories: low-level picking (operating height ≤ 200mm) and high-level picking (up to 13 meters).

AGV

An AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) is an unmanned automated transport vehicle that can autonomously travel along a predetermined route and is widely used in logistics and production.

AGV stands for Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), and its full Chinese translation is Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV). An AGV is a transport vehicle equipped with an electromagnetic or optical automatic guidance system that allows it to travel along a predetermined path and features safety features and various transfer functions. Under the control of a control system, an AGV with automatic transfer functions can automatically complete the entire process of picking up and placing goods, as well as horizontal movement.

Summary

Reach trucks are electric, industrial vehicles that are a type of electric forklift and can be powered by either lead-acid or lithium batteries. Reach truck forklifts are also narrow-aisle forklifts suitable for indoor warehouses or flat outdoor environments. We are a professional electric forklift manufacturer and offer customization options, including lift height, load capacity, features, logo and color.

FAQ

Q1: Reach Truck vs. Counterbalanced Electric Forklift – Which Is Better?

Reach Trucks are ideal for large warehouses and logistics centers, making them the top choice for e-commerce and logistics industries. They excel in environments with narrow aisles due to their small turning radius, offer higher lifting heights, and deliver superior operational efficiency.
Counterbalanced Electric Forklifts are versatile enough for both indoor and outdoor use, are more affordable, and support higher load capacities (up to 10 tons). However, they have limited lifting heights (typically up to 7 meters) and a larger turning radius.

Q2: Can a Reach Truck Be Used Outdoors in Rainy Conditions?

A Reach Truck can operate on even outdoor surfaces under fair weather conditions. However, it is strictly prohibited to use it in rainy weather to avoid water exposure that could cause short circuits, electrical failures, or other damage.

Q3: For electric forklift, can a Lead-Acid Battery Charger Be Used for Lithium-Ion Batteries?

No. Reach Trucks (a type of electric forklift) must not be charged using a lead-acid battery charger. Always consult the manufacturer to purchase or customize a charger specifically designed for lithium-ion battery-powered forklifts.