| Type | Max. lifting height | Minimum open aisle | Operating system | Storage system | |
| Stackers | 3 - 6.5 m | 2.1 - 2.2 m | Manual | Pallet racks 1 |
|
Standard counterbalanced forklifts |
7.5 m | 3.2 - 4.0 m | Manual | Pallet racks |
|
| Reach trucks | Standard | 8.5 m | 2.7 - 2.8 m | Manual | Pallet racks6 |
| High | 10.5 m | 2.9 - 3.0 m | Manual | ||
| Trilateral turret type | > 12 m | 1.7 - 1.8 m |
Manual
|
Pallet racks3 |
|
| Bilateral turret type | > 12 m | 1.5 - 1.6 m | Manual | Pallet racks3 , 4 |
|
| Stacker cranes | > 40 m | 1.5 - 1.6 m | Automatic | Pallet racks4, 5 |
|
Notes
1 Pallets must be handled by the open side, without the lower planks.
2 Can be used in the live rack system, adapting the entry and exit areas of the racking units using split rollers.
3 These forklifts must be guided, either mechanically (rail located on the floor), or wire guided (wire buried in the ground).
4 Pallets cannot be picked up directly from the ground. Another forklift or reach truck is required to place or remove the pallet at the aisle entrance, or a mechanical transfer and positioning system can be used (roller conveyor, drag chains, shuttles, etc.).
5 Guided at the top and bottom. Some machines are guided only at the bottom.
6 When the pallets are moved sideways or are wider than the distance between the front skids of the forklift, the movement must be with these on said skids, having to increase the clearance between the ground and the first load level to the height of the chassis plus 20 cm.
7 Via pallet transfer car or Pallet Shuttle.