Opens the door to storage capacity
February 1st 2008

Using a Sidetracker multi-directional narrow aisle lift truck to handle steel personnel doors and frames has enabled Omega Doors to maximise storage capacity

In the past, Omega Doors had maintained a small stock of doors at its headquarters that was block-stacked and replenished from a bulk warehouse 30 miles away as required. Now pallet racking has been installed in the warehouse, with capacity for around 1200 doors and associated frame components at any one time.

Doors can measure up to 2849mm high x 1174mm wide and are delivered on pallets in packs of 20 weighing from 1100kg to 1700kg. Using a Sidetracker truck has allowed aisle widths to be reduced to 2100mm despite load depths approaching 1200mm, which has increased storage capacity by over 30% compared with what would have been possible if a reach truck was used. The truck's ability to drive in any direction, including diagonally, and rotate about its own axis has also allowed turning areas to be minimised and storage space maximised.

The truck is a battery-powered stand-on model with a lift capacity of 2100kg at 525mm load centre. It has a 360mm diameter drive wheel with a high-grip polyurethane tyre and a pair of 250mm diameter load wheels that are twinmounted with contra-rotating action to increase durability. The twin electrohydraulic drive units automatically run singly or together to suit demand.

Forks are 1000mm long and can be spread to work inside or outside the load deck, depending on the load width. Fork spread is a fully synchronised powered system.

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