The use of double-deep- stacking increases warehouse capacity by up to 30% compared to "single-deep" warehouse operations. The fact that the telescopic forks can reach twice as far as normal forks from one side means that the racking at each side of the aisle can be doubled.

Double deep storage rack has become a very popular choice in "high throughput" operations and is Ideal for Cold stores, Dry stores and the storage of multiple pallets of the same products, known as FILO (First In Last Out) principle.

Accessibility is improved compared to drive-in, mobile and narrow aisle racking which also requires specialized warehouse trucks.

You see two different fork-lifts that have a different system for double-deep storage of pallets in a warehouse. What do you notice when comparing the lift truck with telescopic forks the lift truck with a pantograph.

Telescopic forks compared to a pantograph

Telescopic forks (T) has some distinct advantages compared to a pantograph (P) like:

1. T) Reduced attachment weight approx. 35%
   P) Scissor, fork carrier needs to be moved.
2. T) Improved warehouse capacity because the mast is moving to racking while the legs can be maneuvered  in front of the racking. No bottom beam is needed.
   P) Racks needs bottom beam because the legs needs to be maneuvered under the rack because of the fixed mast (Picture Dexion)
3. T) Virtually no extra lost load thickness compared to standard forks and optimal visibility.
   P) All extra scissor parts with cylinders has influence on the visibility.
4. T) Extra scissor parts with cylinders has influence on the visibility
   P) More height needed  of the moving auxiliary pantograph mast.
5. T) All part are integrated inside the forks and cannot be damaged. No hinged parts, meaning reduced maintenance.
   P) All kind of hinged parts and bearings means more maintenance.
6. T) Are easy to install and can easily be disconnected when needed.
   P) Much more complicated because the reach system is integrated in  the mast.
7. T) Double pallet transport possible with same reach system
   P) Not possible and extra equipment is needed like manual sleeves are needed

European moving mast lift truck more and more common in America

It is uncertain why telescopic forks are much more popular in Europe than in America for double-deep applications but the reason is probably historical insofar as telescopic forks are a European invention, or to be more precise, an MSE-Forks invention.

European reach trucks are making use of a moving mast while North American trucks are making use of a fixed mast. This fix mast has a big disadvantage because always the racking needs a bottom beam to accommodate the fork lift out rigger legs.

MSE-Forks

MSE-Forks is an independent, innovative company that develops and manufactures unique logistics products like telescopic forks and mechanical fork lift truck equipment for palletless handling the so-called RollerForks. All of our products are aimed at increasing the ease of use and application of logistics and transportation resources, such as forklift trucks and their variants.

We aim to add value to our customers’ and end-users’ logistics supply chains. We sell our products via our own international network of importers and directly to forklift truck manufacturers. It is intrinsically understood that the products we supply are of the highest quality and reliability.