Reach trucks

Which warehouses suit a STILL reach truck?

A reach truck is the choice for warehouses that have used up their floor space and want to grow storage capacity vertically. Instead of renting more space, the business raises its racking, narrows the aisles and hands the job of storing and retrieving pallets on the upper levels to a dedicated truck. This type suits selective racking, distribution centres and logistics warehouses with many SKUs.

If you are not yet familiar with how the mast reaches out and retracts, or how the support legs work, the article What is a reach truck explains it in detail. The sections below focus on how to choose a model.

Comparing the models in this category

The four ranges below are all electric and driver-seated, but they differ in lift height, working environment and type of load. Figures follow the manufacturer's data sheets and vary with configuration.

Model	Maximum capacity	Maximum lift height	Travel speed	Main strength
STILL FM-X	1,000–2,500 kg	Up to 14 m	14 km/h	High-bay storage, 1,000 kg residual capacity at 13 m, active load stabilisation
STILL FM-X SE	1,400–2,000 kg	8,000 mm	14 km/h	Superelastic tyres, works both indoors and outdoors
STILL FM-4W	2,000–2,500 kg	9,650 mm	13 km/h	Four-way travel, suited to long and bulky loads
STILL FXR 14C – 18C	1,400–1,800 kg	10,970 mm	12 km/h	Compact chassis, integrated lithium-ion battery, one- or two-shift operation

STILL FM-X: for the highest racks and intensive use

STILL FM-X is the flagship range when racking reaches 13–14 m. It keeps a residual capacity of up to 1,000 kg at 13 m and 850 kg at 14 m. Active Load Stabilisation (ALS, optional) damps mast vibration at height, so the driver does not have to wait long before placing the pallet. The FM-X is also available with a cold store cab and in several chassis widths (N, W, EW) for different pallet sizes.

STILL FM-X SE: when the truck has to leave the warehouse

Most trucks of this type need a level floor. The STILL FM-X SE uses superelastic tyres, a cushioned drive wheel and high ground clearance, so it can drive on outdoor yards and load and unload outdoor racking.

STILL FM-4W: long loads in narrow aisles

The STILL FM-4W has wheels that turn 90° so it can travel forwards, backwards and sideways. This lets it carry pipes, bars, panels and long coils along the aisle without turning the load crosswise. It lifts 1,000 kg to 9.5 m and offers battery capacities of 465–930 Ah.

STILL FXR 14C – 18C: compact, for small and mid-sized warehouses

The STILL FXR 14C – 18C targets medium-duty applications with moderate frequency of use, such as wholesale, retail and logistics. It offers a residual capacity of up to 940 kg at 9 m and storage heights of up to 11 m, with Curve Speed Control and travel speed limitation in main lift as standard.

How to choose a reach truck for your warehouse

Before deciding on a model, prepare the following information:

• Height of the top rack level and the heaviest pallet stored there: compare against the residual capacity chart for the mast configuration, not against the rated capacity.
• Existing or planned aisle width: working aisle width varies with the model, the pallet size and the fork length. See also the article on warehouse aisle design.
• Type of load: standard pallets, mixed pallet sizes or long goods – this decides between the FM-X, a wide-chassis version or the FM-4W.
• Environment: indoors, outdoor yard or cold store.
• Shifts per day: this determines battery capacity and the charging plan.
• Floor flatness: at great lift heights, a small deviation in the floor becomes a significant lean at the top of the mast.

When the racking is taller than these trucks can serve, or the aisles must be narrower still, consider the narrow aisle forklift range.

Energy, safety and automation

Every model in this category is electric: the FM-X, FM-X SE and FM-4W run on 48 V batteries, while the FXR 14C – 18C uses an integrated lithium-ion battery with quick-charging access. The trucks produce no local emissions and suit enclosed warehouses. Lithium-ion allows opportunity charging during breaks. On safety, Curve Speed Control automatically reduces speed in bends according to the steering angle.

For warehouses that want to automate pallet storage and retrieval, STILL offers the automated FM-X iGo: it lifts up to 2,300 kg to storage heights of up to 10 m, works in aisles less than 3 m wide and has a safety system in line with ISO 3691-4.

Frequently asked questions

Can it replace a counterbalance forklift?

In a racked warehouse it often can, and it usually needs narrower aisles. However, these trucks are not suited to loading trucks and containers or driving on rough ground; apart from the FM-X SE, the models should work on level indoor floors.

Should I choose the FM-X or the FXR 14C – 18C?

The FM-X is designed for racking up to 14 m, heavy loads at height and intensive goods turnover. The FXR 14C – 18C is more compact and suits racking up to about 11 m, medium loads and one- or two-shift operation. If the FXR covers the lift height and residual capacity you need, it is usually the more economical option.

Can they be used in cold stores?

Yes, with the right configuration. The FM-X is available with a cold store cab that keeps the driver warm at ambient temperatures down to -30 °C. Tell us the warehouse temperature in advance so our engineers can specify the right cab and truck configuration.

What information does TCID need to recommend a model?

Your warehouse floor plan, rack height and number of levels, pallet dimensions and weights, aisle width and number of shifts. Our engineers will check the residual capacity charts and recommend a suitable configuration.