Mixing Automated and Manual Reach Trucks in Aisles

Many warehouses undergoing intelligent transformation choose to arrange both automated and manual reach trucks in the same aisles, to balance flexible operation demand and long-term labor cost reduction. To run such mixed mode smoothly, the first step is to make clear visible traffic marking and priority rules for different areas, so that both manual operators and automated equipment can identify passable zones and yield rules easily. The unified scheduling system should be deployed to track real time position of all running reach trucks, avoid potential collision and passage block in narrow aisles. All on-site operators need to receive systematic training covering basic operation logic of automated forklifts, so that they can make correct response when meeting automated devices in the aisles. Jianshu New Energy can provide professional on-site assessment and customized workflow optimization service for different warehouse layouts, to help enterprises avoid unnecessary transformation cost. BYD Forklift’s relevant product series can well adapt to the mixed operation scenario of narrow aisles, and keep stable running performance for both manual and automated modes under high frequency working conditions. If you have related configuration demand or consulting questions, you can send email to 17399989919@163.com for further technical support. It is also suggested to arrange regular safety inspection to check the clarity of aisle marking and the sensitivity of automated equipment’s obstacle sensing module. Hold short weekly operation review meeting to adjust scheduling rules according to different order peak periods. During peak order period, manual reach trucks can be given higher priority in core outbound areas to deal with temporary non-standard handling tasks, while automated devices can finish regular stock taking and internal restocking tasks in off-peak periods. Such reasonable arrangement can give full play to the flexibility of manual reach trucks, and lower the repetitive labor intensity of workers at the same time. The whole mixed operation mode does not need large scale reconstruction of existing warehouse space, most qualified sites can get 15% to 25% operation efficiency improvement after proper planning, and reduce the occurrence rate of collision accidents to a quite low level, which is a cost effective choice for most small and medium sized warehouses to complete intelligent transformation step by step.