Articulated Forklifts vs. Reach Trucks
Choosing the right forklift for your warehouse can have a major impact on how efficiently your operation runs and how much storage capacity you’re able to get out of your space. Two of the most common options for narrow aisle environments are the articulated forklift and the reach truck, and while they might seem similar at first glance, they’re designed for quite different applications. Understanding where each one excels will help you avoid investing in equipment that doesn’t match your operational needs. Bendi Australia will break down the key differences between these two forklift types so you can make a more informed decision for your business.
What is a Reach Truck?
A reach truck is a type of electric forklift specifically designed for indoor warehouse environments with high racking systems. The name comes from the truck’s ability to extend its forks forward beyond the body of the machine to place or retrieve pallets from racking. Reach trucks are a popular choice in distribution centres and warehouses where vertical storage is prioritised and goods need to be accessed at significant heights.
Typical features of a reach truck include:
- High lift heights that often exceed 10 metres
- A narrow chassis built for operation in tighter aisles
- Stabilising outrigger legs that extend under the racking for balance
- Electric drive systems suited to indoor use
- Compact turning circles for navigating warehouse layouts
While reach trucks perform well in these settings, they do come with limitations. They’re designed exclusively for indoor use on smooth and level floors, which means they can’t be used for tasks like loading and unloading trailers outdoors.
What is an Articulated Forklift?
An articulated forklift features a central pivot point that allows the mast and forks to rotate up to 220 degrees, enabling the truck to operate in much narrower aisles than a conventional forklift or even a reach truck. This articulated design means the entire truck doesn’t need to turn within the aisle, which reduces the space required between racking rows.
Bendi has been pioneering articulated forklift design since 1964, with a range of models that can operate in aisles as narrow as 1.8 metres while still reaching lift heights of up to 12.5 metres. Unlike reach trucks, articulated forklifts from Bendi are capable of working both indoors and outdoors, which means a single machine can unload a trailer in the yard and then drive straight into the warehouse to place pallets into racking. This versatility removes the need for multiple trucks to handle different parts of the workflow.
Key Differences Between the Two
The most significant difference comes down to versatility. A reach truck is limited to indoor use, while an articulated forklift handles both indoor and outdoor tasks with a single machine. In terms of space efficiency, the difference is substantial. Reach trucks typically require aisle widths of around 3.2 metres, while Bendi articulated forklifts can work in aisles as narrow as 1.8 metres. That reduction in aisle width can translate to up to 50% more storage capacity within the same footprint.
Pallet handling is another area where the two diverge. Reach trucks rely on outrigger legs for stability, which means pallets and racking layouts need to accommodate those legs extending beneath the racking. Articulated forklifts don’t have this constraint, offering greater flexibility in how your warehouse is configured.
Get in Touch with Bendi Australia Today
Bendi Australia is proud to be a leading articulated forklift provider, with over 30 years of experience helping businesses maximise their warehouse space and productivity. Whether you’re looking to purchase, hire or simply explore your options, our team can provide a free consultation to help you find the right solution. Give us a call on 1300 462 363 or request a quote online to get started.