Question 1

What is a Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) forklift?

Accepted Answer

A very narrow aisle (VNA) forklift is a specialized truck designed for use in high-density warehouses with tight spaces, allowing for maximum storage capacity by operating in aisles as narrow as 1400mm.

Key features and functions
Narrow aisle operation: 
VNA forklifts are purpose-built to operate in very narrow aisles, which are much narrower than those for standard forklifts. 
Rotating & Traversing forks: 
A key feature is a small mast at the front of the machine that can rotate and traverse the forks through 180 degrees, allowing them to load and unload pallets in a confined space on either side of a very narrow aisle. 
Guidance systems: 
VNA forklifts are guided by either a wire or a rail system, which helps them stay precisely centered in the aisle for safe and efficient operation. 
Increased storage: 
By allowing for narrower aisles, VNA forklifts enable warehouses to store more product in the same footprint, optimizing storage space. 
Order picking: 
VNA Forklifts are used for both pallet replenishment and individual item picking, with "man-up" designs that lift the operator with the forks for better visibility. 
Automation potential: 
Magaziner VNA trucks can be converted into automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to further increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Question 2

Who are Magaziner?

Accepted Answer

Magaziner invented the first Very Narrow Aisle Man Up Forklift in the early 1970’s. Since then Magaziner’s sole focus has been engineering and designing the very best Very Narrow Aisles forklifts on the market. Due to the inherent build quality of their equipment Magaziner VNA trucks deliver more capacity to height than any other VNA solution.

Magaziner VNA forklifts are manufactured in Bispingen, Germany.

Question 3

Why Choose Magaziner?

Accepted Answer

Every Magaziner Very Narrow Aisle forklift is specifically built and designed to meet customer requirements.

We begin with a blank piece of paper and match your specific application requirements with truck design and required additional functionality. Adopting this approach ensures that truck design and supplied specification matches your exacting requirements.

Some notable differences include the following

2 stage mast construction as standard (3 stage also available)

Additional efficiency (less weight for motors to lift means )
Shorter comparative truck length = greater maneuverability and shorter transfer aisle requirements
Higher residual capacity to height when compared to competition
Less mast deflection at height - driver feels more secure which feeds into greater productivity.

Metal instead of plastic or fibreglass

Accidents happen..... the external Magaziner Chssis is manufactured from 8mm steel..... unlike competitor equipment it can generally be repaired relatively inexpensively.

Design focused on minimising the total cost of ownership

Many examples of this approach are prevalent within the design of Magaziner VNA forklifts. The above picture highlights this approach well in relation to replacing expensive load wheels.

In the unlikely event that you need to replace a load wheel (pictured) on a Magaziner VNA, we only need to replace the damaged one - a floating cam system in the axle of the other (semi-worn wheel) allows our engineers to make an adjustment to level up the height differential between the replacement wheel and the newly installed wheel.

Bespoke Tailored Solutions

All Magaziner VNA and Order Picking trucks are hand crafted in Bispingen Germany. This approach ensures a laser focus on delivering the right machine to meet your exact requirements.

Robust construction also guarantees market leading capacities to height when compared to competitors.

Keep it simple stupid

Magaziner equipment is neither simple nor stupid with an extensive array of options available.

Notwithstanding the above statement, more complex componentry often leads to higher purchase costs initially and then to larger potential/recurring charges over the course of the life of the machinery. We can facilitate all of your specific requirements while delivering a solution that is not over-engineered or over specified.

Question 4

What aisle width is needed for a VNA forklift?

Accepted Answer

Aisle widths as narrow as 1600mm are possible. However, the optimal aisle width calculation for VNA operation is dependent upon 
Pallet size.
Whether the load on the pallet is contained within the footprint of the pallet.
Maximum lift height – additional safety clearance is preferred between the front face of the load and the cabin of the VNA forklift when operating at extended height.

Question 5

When should you consider using a VNA instead of a standard forklift or reach truck?

Accepted Answer

A Very Narrow Aisle Foklift solution should be chosen when you wish to minimise the storage of fresh air, while optimising product storage density. The picture below illustrates the comparative aisle width requirements for counterbalance forklift (4.5m), reach truck (3m) and VNA forklift (1.8m) operation.

A VNA solution enables safe lifting of heavier loads to greater heights when compared to standard counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks or other warehouse equipment.

The operator rises with the pallet with VNA equipment, this means that every pallet face is a potential pick face. VNA trucks can travel and lift at the same time facilitating quicker cycle times and greater efficiency, accuracy and productivity.

Question 6

What sort of in-aisle guidance is required for VNA Forklifts?

Accepted Answer

Historically mechanical rail guidance was the preferred means for moderating in-aisle VNA operation.

Metal rails are installed either side of the narrow aisle – a combination of in-aisle sensors and guidance rollers onboard the VNA truck moderate the forward/reverse element of the trucks in-aisle operation.

Rail height can often interfere with the ability of the VNA truck to place a pallet directly on the floor and often necessitates the installation of an additional beam level above the height of the guidance rail to facilitate a first level beam height near floor level.

It is still possible to supply rail guided VNA forklift solutions, should you require same.

As electronic systems became more reliable there was a distinct move away from rail guidance towards wire guidance systems. A wire guidance system is a closed loop wiring circuit, where a shallow groove is cut in the middle of each narrow aisle into which a wire is placed – the wiring circuit is traced up and down all of the VNA aisles – starting and finishing at the wall mounted frequency generator. A flexible sealant is laid down over the wiring groove – which when dry and cured looks like an additional expansion joint.

NB - Please note that floor expansion joints are best located perpendicular to wire installations.

Question 7

Who installs the in-floor wire guidance solution for Magaziner equipment in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

We offer an in-house turnkey installation solution which includes machinery supply, installation and commissioning and installation of the wire guidance component.

Question 8

What are the floor flatness requirements for a VNA operation?

Accepted Answer

Deviation in floor flatness at ground level can be magnified substantially when operating VNA equipment at height.

Many new build warehouses will be finished to FM (free movement) floor standard. Best practice dictates that Very Narrow Aisle forklifts are best facilitated on in-aisle floor surfaces that are finished to DM (Defined Movement) floor flatness.

Table below reproduced from TR34 - Concrete & Industrial Floor Standard (DIN EN 15620).

In the case of a Magaziner VNA (having 3 wheels - 2 x Load at Front and 1 x Drive Wheel at the rear of the machine) - the relevant DM finish is only required, in each aisle, along the specific forward and reverse track of each truck wheel.

The above table details DIN EN 15620 which is a European standard governing the floor flatness requirements for warehouses using Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) trucks.

It defines the necessary floor flatness for high-speed and high-level racking.

Key Points regarding Floor Flatness:

Measured Parameters: The standard covers floor flatness for defined movement, ensuring the floor allows safe and efficient operation of VNA trucks.

Measurement Methodology: Measurements are typically taken with specialized equipment to assessing  both transverse and longitudinal profiles.

Compliance Testing: The standard involves checking for compliance with the required specification.

Grinding: If a floor does not meet the requirements, corrective grinding can be used to meet the specification.

Please contact us immediately if this particular FAQ needs further explanation.

Question 9

Can I retrofit an existing warehouse with a VNA solution?

Accepted Answer

This is certainly possible. Existing warehouses will often be laid out with aisle widths suited for either articulated forklifts or reach truck operation.

Prior to commissioning an existing warehouse with a VNA solution -  racking will be repositioned to accommodate narrower aisles with the associated benefit of additional storage capacity. In-aisle guidance will be installed once new racking configuration installation is completed.

Question 10

Do you sell or rent used VNA equipment?

Accepted Answer

Davcon have a fleet of Magaziner VNA forklifts which are available for both sale and rent… subject to meeting your capacity, lift height and application requirements.

Question 11

Can Magaziner VNA Forklifts supply an Order Picking Solution?

Accepted Answer

All Magaziner VNA Forklifts can be utilised as order pickers – picking to a pallet on the forks in front of the driver. Various additional order picking options can be supplied to assist the operator, such as:

Spring loaded order picking gates
Left/Right tilting control console providing operator with easier access to 
Additional in cabin shelving to provide additional picking storage

Magaziner can also supply various extended platform solutions to facilitate order picking/placement of longer loads.

Question 12

Can a Magaziner VNA Forklifts handle long loads?

Accepted Answer

Due to the bespoke nature of Magaziner’s design process it is possible to offer Very Narrow Aisle trucks that can facilitate longer load handling.

Question 13

Can Magaziner VNA trucks operate in Atex/Ex-rated environments?

Accepted Answer

Magaziner VNA equipment can be modified to operate in potentially explosive environments. Explosion proof conversion is carried out through our partnership with Pyroban. The particular type of conversion required is driven solely by the potential explosion risks that pertain to specific customer sites.

Question 14

Can Magaziner VNA trucks operate in Cold Stores (-27C)?

Accepted Answer

Once delivered the Cold Store specification Magaziner lives in the cold store for the duration of its operational life – only coming out periodically to allow for scheduled servicing and maintenance requirements.

The cold store specification is available with and without a full cabin.

The freezer specification includes additional heating and insulation for the componentry. Cold store trucks are also supplied with a night time power source to maintain power to the key on-board systems while the truck is on charge.

Question 15

Can Magaziner equipment operate on a competitors wire guidance solution?

Accepted Answer

There are 3 wire guidance frequencies that VNA trucks utilise and Magaziner Equipment can operate efficiently in tandem with competitors equipment.

Please be aware that any existing VNA safety interlock system  (for slowdown and stop at aisle end, lift height cut-out etc) will not be compatible with new Magaziner VNA equipment... we will need to install additional measures (magnets etc.) to meet your specific safety requirements.

Question 16

Magaziner VNA forklifts & Safety

Accepted Answer

All Magaziner equipment conforms to rigorous EU Equipment directives.

The standard specification includes

- Emergency escape harness
- Two handed operation at all times in conjunction with a dead man pedal
- Automatic slowdown and stop at aisle end
- Automatic speed reduction at predefined cabin lift heights

Many additional safety features and options are available, talk to us today to see what additional options are of interest.

Frequently Asked Questions