A 3-way forklift—also known as a three-way stacker, VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) truck, or turret truck—is a specialized machine designed for high-density warehousing. Unlike conventional forklifts, its forks can rotate 180° to pick and place loads on both sides of an aisle without the truck itself turning. This allows operation in aisles as narrow as 1.5 to 2.0 meters, significantly increasing storage capacity.
Below is a list of manufacturers offering 3-ton (3,000 kg) capacity 3-way or VNA forklifts.
Manufacturer Key Model / Type Notable Features Region
RUNTX Machinery Group 3 Ton VNA Man-up Three-way Stacker Aisle width: 1.9–2.0m; 180° three-way stacking head; 80V AC system; lift height up to 12.4m; weight: 7,800 kg (with battery) China
SOCMA (Fujian SOCMA Machinery) 3 Tons 3t Multi-direction Forklift / VNA Electric Forklift Rated load: 3 tons; lithium battery option available; lift height: 4.3–12.4m China
Newnewton Forklift Three-way forklifts Load capacity: 0.5 to 3 tons (customizable up to 10 tons); options: walk-behind, ride-on, seated, lithium or lead-acid battery China (Taixing, Jiangsu)
Akuros N Series Articulated Forklift Load capacity: 1.5 – 3.0 tons; maximum lifting height: up to 15 m Germany/International
HANGZHOU FUPIA MACHINERY VNA articulated forklift Load capacity: up to 3 tons; lift height: up to 12.5m; aisle width: 1.9m; 210° articulated rotation China
STMA Industrial (Xiamen) CE Approved Articulated VNA Forklift Load capacity: 3 tons; lift height: up to 15m China
TDER 3 Ton Battery Operated VNA Forklift Narrow aisle electric forklift China
Nanruo Forklift (南若叉车) Articulated three-way forklifts Specializes in hinged three-way forklifts for 40 years; 220° mast rotation China (Hefei, Anhui)
Xingtai Huaou Machinery (邢台华欧机械) 3-ton pure electric three-way forklift Electric three-way forklift China (Xingtai, Hebei)
Shanghai Unaifei Machinery (上海优耐飞) 2.0–3.0 ton articulated forklifts 铰接式叉车 (articulated forklifts) China (Shanghai)
Hebei Huaya (河北华亚) 3-ton omnidirectional electric forklift 全向电动叉车3吨 (3-ton omnidirectional electric forklift) China (Hebei)
Anhui Jianghuai-Yinlian (江淮银联) 2–3 ton gas/LPG forklifts Offers 2-3 ton gas and LPG forklifts China (Hefei, Anhui)
In short, the market for 3-ton capacity 3-way forklifts is dominated by Chinese manufacturers, with RUNTX and SOCMA offering dedicated VNA models, Newnewton and HANGZHOU FUPIA providing articulated alternatives, and Akuros representing a German option. When selecting a manufacturer, consider factors such as aisle width requirements, lift height, power source (lithium vs. lead-acid battery), and whether a "man-up" design (where the operator lifts with the forks) is needed for your application.
