A swing reach forklift is a specialized Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) truck designed to maximize storage density in warehouses with aisles as tight as 5–6 feet. Unlike conventional forklifts, these machines can handle loads on both sides of an aisle without turning the entire vehicle.
How They Work
Swing reach forklifts use articulating masts and telescoping forks that extend and swing sideways—typically 90° or more—to access pallets set deep within racking. The wheels remain stationary while the forks do the reaching. Some models feature rotating carriages that can swing up to 245° for maximum flexibility.
Some confusion exists in the industry: the terms "swing reach," "turret truck," and "swing-mast" are often used interchangeably, though turret trucks typically have rotating masts (180°) while swing reach models have swiveling fork carriages.
Key Specifications
Feature Typical Range
Aisle Width 5 – 6.5 feet (1.5 – 2 meters)
Lift Height Up to 40+ feet (12+ meters)
Load Capacity 1,500 – 8,000 lbs (680 – 3,600 kg)
Fork Rotation 90° – 245°
Power Source Electric (36V/48V/72V) with lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries
Major Brands
Leading manufacturers include Toyota (9000 Series Swing-Reach), Raymond (9600 Swing-Reach), Drexel (SwingMast® SL series), Landoll (Bendi articulating forklifts), UniCarriers (Tergo URS), and Aisle-Master.
How Much Does a Swing Reach Forklift Cost?
Prices vary widely by model, capacity, and condition:
Refurbished Drexel SLT22 (2,200 lb): $28,000–$32,000 CAD
New Chinese swing reach (1–1.5 ton): ~$15,600 USD
Used Raymond swing reach: ~$53,000–$56,000 USD
Used Aisle-Master 15E: €6,955–€8,123
Used Bendi B40AC: €72,000–€74,000
New Drexel SL80: ~$140,000+ USD
Swing reach models are generally more affordable than full turret trucks—roughly $45,000 vs. $80,000—but offer lower lift heights.
How Much Does a Swing Reach Forklift Weigh?
Weight depends on capacity and battery configuration:
OPX15 (1,500 kg capacity): 4,750 kg (without battery) – 6,300 kg (with battery)
Drexel SL40AC (4,000 lb): 13,800 lb (6,260 kg) shipping weight
Drexel SL44/4 (4,400 lb): 10,300 lb (without battery)
Drexel SL80 (8,000 lb): 20,900 lb (9,480 kg) shipping weight
2.5 ton VNA swing reach: 5,150 kg (without battery) – 7,400 kg (with battery)
Applications & Benefits
Swing reach forklifts are ideal for high-density warehousing in industries like food and beverage distribution, manufacturing, 3PL, cold storage, and automotive parts. They can triple pallet storage capacity within the same warehouse footprint and handle both pallet storage and case picking. Many models feature wire guidance systems for automatic steering in ultra-narrow aisles.