Schubmaststapler
Also: Schubmast-Stapler, Reach Truck, Schubmastgerät, Schubstapler, Schubmastflurförderzeug
AI-generated
A reach truck is an electrically powered industrial truck in which the load mast extends telescopically forward to pick up and deposit pallets in high-bay racking systems.
Key facts
- A reach truck extends its mast horizontally, keeping the vehicle itself compact and enabling narrower aisles than a counterbalanced forklift.
- The equipment is almost exclusively electrically powered and designed for use in enclosed warehouses.
- Residual load capacity, lift height, and working aisle width must always be coordinated in conjunction with the specific racking concept.
- Modern reach trucks feature lift height pre-selection, weighing systems, and optional camera support for high storage levels.
- For aisle widths of less than approximately 1.8 meters, narrow-aisle trucks or rail-guided high-bay storage and retrieval machines are the more appropriate alternatives.
What is a reach truck?
A reach truck is a counterbalance-free industrial truck whose mast is mounted on a reach carriage. This carriage can be moved horizontally forward, allowing load handling to take place outside the vehicle's footprint while the truck itself remains maneuverable with the mast retracted. Unlike a counterbalanced forklift, the vehicle does not need to drive its full length into the rack aisle during storage operations. Typical lift heights are significantly greater than those of conventional counterbalanced forklifts and can reach ten meters or more depending on the model. The drive is almost exclusively electric, as the equipment is used primarily in enclosed warehouses.
How does a reach truck work in practice?
The operator positions the vehicle in front of the rack bay, extends the mast forward with the load, raises it to the target height, and pushes the pallet into the bay. During retrieval, the process is carried out in reverse. Modern units feature lateral mast tilt, lift height pre-selection, and integrated weighing systems. The combination of compact vehicle dimensions and high lift capacity makes the reach truck the standard solution in block and pallet racking warehouses with medium aisle widths, which typically range between 2.7 and 3.5 meters. For even narrower aisles, narrow-aisle trucks or high-bay storage and retrieval machines guided by rails are used instead.
What factors matter when selecting a reach truck?
Several factors must be considered when procuring a reach truck:
- Rated capacity and residual capacity: The load capacity decreases as lift height increases and load center distance grows. The load capacity chart must be checked for all planned load scenarios.
- Lift height: This is a key determinant of rack design and the requirements placed on the mast and hydraulics. Greater lift heights require more stable mast guidance and more capable sensors for load centering.
- Aisle width: The vehicle must be compatible with the actual racking installation. Manufacturers specify working aisle widths that must be verified against the layout plan.
- Battery and charging technology: Lithium-ion batteries enable opportunity charging without battery changes but increase acquisition costs. Lead-acid technology is widespread and more cost-effective, but requires battery change stations in multi-shift operations.
- Assistance systems: Lift height pre-selection, load weight display, and camera systems for high lift heights reduce errors and increase throughput.
- Ergonomics and operator workplace: Sightlines, operating concept, and seating comfort affect error rates and fatigue in multi-shift operations.
Whether a reach truck or an automated solution such as a storage and retrieval machine is more cost-effective depends on throughput, warehouse size, and investment budget. This assessment is vendor- and project-specific and cannot be answered in general terms.
Related terms
- AKL
An Automated Small Parts Warehouse (AKL) is a fully mechanized storage system for bins, trays, or cartons that automates the goods-to-person process using aisle-captive storage and retrieval machines or shuttles.
- Automatiklager
An automated warehouse is a fully or partially automated storage system in which the receipt, retrieval, transport and management of storage units are carried out without manual intervention, using conveyor technology, storage and retrieval machines, and a higher-level control software.
- Automatisches Kleinteilelager (AKL)
The Automated Small Parts Warehouse (AKL) is a fully automated storage system for totes, trays and small parts, in which storage and retrieval operations are performed without manual intervention by stacker cranes or shuttle systems.
- Blocklager
A block storage system is a storage method in which load units — typically pallets — are stacked directly on the floor in rows and blocks without any racking structure.
- Bodenlagerung
Floor storage refers to the storage of goods directly on the floor, without the use of racking systems. Pallets, stacks, or marked floor positions serve as the basic structure for area organization.
- Chaotische Lagerhaltung
Chaotic storage is a warehousing principle in which items are not stored in fixed, pre-assigned locations, but are instead dynamically placed in any available, suitable slot in the warehouse. A warehouse management system handles the control and tracking of all storage locations.
- Distributionslager
A distribution center is a type of warehouse that consolidates goods and prepares them for targeted delivery to customers, branches, or downstream locations.