With the cost of industrial rent continuing to rise, it’s no surprise that many Australian businesses are favouring smaller warehouse environments for product storage. Others are also attempting to maximise the space that they have, leading many business to adopt a narrow aisle or very narrow aisle (VNA) layout.

 

Yet with this change comes the risk of decreasing efficiency, as higher density can impact the ease with which goods can be accessed. In this article, we’ll show you how the use of VNA forklifts, with all their special features, can help you mitigate this issue.

 

What is Considered a Narrow Aisle or VNA Layout?

Generally, narrow aisles are considered to be 2.5–3 metres wide, while VNAs mostly span 1.5–2 metres in width. This allows for a greater storage capacity than traditional warehouse layouts, but prevents the operation of more conventional forklifts that require a larger space to operate, leading to the necessity of VNA forklifts.

 

What Differentiates VNA Forklifts from Other Forklifts?

VNA forklifts have multiple unique features that allow them to operate safely in smaller aisles, including:

 

Smaller body width: VNA forklifts are generally more compact than traditional forklifts, allowing them to fit into smaller gaps and assisting in their more precise manouevrability. For example, the MIMA Three Way Electric Pallet Stacker is compact enough to fit into aisles as thin as 1.5 metres in width.

 

Specialised fork control: The VNA environment generally corresponds with less space for manoeuvrability, so VNA forklifts contain fork options that are better designed to meet these requirements. The aforementioned MIMA forklift contains forks that can rotate 180°, allowing easy access to both sides of an aisle without needing extra space to turn the body of the forklift.

 

Improved navigation: Since narrow aisles increase the likelihood of accidentally hitting racks, most VNA forklifts are designed to adapt to the specific navigation requirements of VNA layouts. Most VNA forklifts use guide rails which keep the forklift straight and on track as it moves through. While the MIMA Three Way forklift does offer this option, it also contains magnetic and wire navigation modes, allowing you to avoid the cost of installing guide rails.

 

Additional braking: Most VNA forklifts contain extra safety provisions to ensure they can efficiently course through narrow aisles without causing issue, including a more advanced breaking system. The MIMA Three Way includes three sets of braking systems – regenerative braking, mechanical disc braking, and double braking – to guarantee worker safety.

 

Video systems: Due to the more enclosed nature of VNA layouts, VNA forklifts will often include a video system that allows the operator to observe their surroundings with optimal vision. Both of Jialift’s VNA forklifts come equipped with wireless cameras and video displays for safe operation.

 

For more information on what makes Jialift Australia’s VNA forklifts stand out, check here and here.

 

What are the Advantages of a VNA Forklift?

On top of its ability to operate in places of increased storage capacity, VNA forklifts can grant additional benefits to the businesses that implement them in their everyday function.

 

Since VNA forklifts can navigate quickly through smaller aisles, and do not need as much time to manoeuvre to access both sides, businesses using them can expect an increase in productivity with less effort needing to be invested.

 

Similarly, due to their improved navigation system, VNA forklifts can be more energy efficient than traditional forklifts, avoiding the consumption of energy that might otherwise be lost in operation. This can then also lead to lower operating costs.

 

Finally, features such as their precise manoeuvrability and video systems lead VNA forklifts to have increased control and stability, corresponding to a safer working environment in VNA layouts.

 

Jialift’s VNA Forklifts – an Effective Response to Modern Storage Complications

Whether you want to start implementing VNA forklifts into your work, or you simply wish to obtain more, Jialift Australia possesses efficient, top-quality models that can help transform your business. With a range of rental and purchasing options, our team will be happy to assist you in finding the best choice, whatever your needs.

 

For more information, browse our entire forklift range here, or contact us today on 1300 000 168 to find out more.