VNA Forklift Guide: STILL MX-X or NXV?

VNA forklifts (very narrow aisle trucks) are the answer for warehouses that want to store more pallets on the same floor area by narrowing aisles and making full use of building height. Instead of turning the whole truck to reach a rack, a VNA truck uses a rotating turret head or telescopic forks to pick pallets from either side of the aisle while the truck keeps driving straight. This article looks at when a VNA investment makes sense and compares the STILL MX-X and STILL NXV.

How does a VNA truck work?

A conventional forklift needs an aisle wide enough to turn 90 degrees in front of the rack. A VNA truck does not: it travels along the aisle while the turret head swings the forks left or right, or telescopic forks extend sideways in both directions, to place the pallet in the rack. The aisle only needs to be slightly wider than the truck, and the space saved becomes extra racking.

Inside the aisle, VNA trucks are usually guided mechanically by rails or inductively by a wire in the floor, so they run straight and safely without constant steering. The two STILL ranges approach the task differently:

Man-up: the cab rises with the forks, so the operator looks directly into the rack and can pick individual items at height. The STILL MX-X belongs to this group.
Compact truck with positioning aids: the STILL NXV uses a turret head or telescopic forks, combined with an optional cross-line laser and fork camera so the operator can see and place pallets accurately at height from the cab.

When should a warehouse use very narrow aisle trucks?

VNA is not always the best choice. It makes sense when several of the following conditions apply at once:

Tall building, limited floor area: expanding the footprint is difficult or expensive, so taller racking and narrower aisles are an efficient way to add capacity.
Many SKUs, direct access to each pallet: unlike drive-in racking, VNA racking still gives direct access to every pallet.
A suitable floor: at great heights, small floor deviations tilt the mast. The floor must be surveyed carefully; some trucks offer floor compensation, but a site assessment is still required.
Separate loading area: the VNA truck works inside the racking aisles, while receiving goods from lorries and bringing pallets to the aisle end is usually done by electric pallet trucks or other forklifts.

If the building is only moderately tall and aisles are not extremely narrow, a reach truck is often more flexible because it works in the racking and in staging areas alike. The decision should be based on the floor plan, eaves height and target number of pallet positions, ideally designed together with the racking system.

STILL MX-X: man-up VNA for high-density warehouses

The STILL MX-X is a man-up very narrow aisle truck with a modular design and performance packages configurable for each application, from truck dimensions to technical features. According to the manufacturer, the MX-X has a maximum capacity of 1,500 kg, a lift height of over 18 metres and travel speeds up to 14 km/h, running on 80 V with a Li-Ion option.

Active Load Stabilisation (ALS): reduces mast sway; the manufacturer states it shortens storage and retrieval processes by up to 5%.
Active Floor Compensation (AFC): compensates for uneven floors even at high speed, as an alternative to floor refurbishment.
Spacious, adjustable cab: colour display control panel and optional tilting side bars for ergonomic picking.
Connectivity: iGo pilot navigation supports automatic rack approach and communicates with the WMS; truck data is shown in the STILL neXXt fleet web app.

There is also an automated MX-X iGo version with 1,400 kg capacity and 14,000 mm height according to the model table.

STILL NXV: compact VNA for small and medium warehouses

The STILL NXV is positioned as the space-saving partner for smaller warehouses: narrow aisles, high racking and heavy goods but limited floor space. It offers capacity up to 1,500 kg, storage heights up to 13.8 metres with main and auxiliary mast, a speed of 10.5 km/h and a 48 V system.

Turret head or telescopic forks: the swivel forks can pick from three sides and unload onto conveyors; telescopic forks extend sideways in both directions for especially narrow aisles.
ALS and OptiSpeed: stabilise the load at height; the manufacturer states handling performance can rise by up to 5 percent.
Joystick 4Plus and STILL Easy Control: lifting, shifting, turret rotation and travel direction are all controlled with one hand; favourite buttons store individual settings.
Positioning aids: optional cross-line laser between the forks and camera system; iGo pilot safety with automatic speed adjustment and aisle exit support.

STILL MX-X vs STILL NXV

Criterion	STILL MX-X	STILL NXV
Max. capacity	1,500 kg	1,500 kg
Height	Over 18 m (lift)	Up to 13.8 m (storage)
Travel speed	Up to 14 km/h	10.5 km/h
Battery voltage	80 V	48 V
Configuration	Man-up, cab rises with operator	Compact, turret or telescopic forks, laser/camera aids
Strengths	Very tall warehouses, high throughput, combined picking at height	Smaller warehouses, especially narrow aisles, full-pallet handling
Automation	MX-X iGo	iGo pilot navigation support

In short: if the warehouse is very tall, throughput is high and operators need to go up to the rack to pick individual items, the MX-X is the natural candidate. If the building is more moderate in height and the priority is a compact truck handling full pallets, the NXV is a sensible choice.

What to prepare before investing in VNA

Survey floor flatness and load-bearing capacity.
Choose the guidance method (rail or wire) and design aisle ends and pallet transfer zones.
Design the racking together with the truck: aisle width, beam heights and safety clearances.
Provide specialised operator training; see our operator training service.
Plan regular maintenance and inspections in line with current regulations.

Frequently asked questions

Can a VNA truck operate outside the racking aisles?

It can move between aisles, but VNA trucks are optimised for work inside the aisles. Loading areas and long transport runs are usually assigned to other trucks so the VNA truck is used to the full.

Does the floor need refurbishing for VNA trucks?

It depends on the survey. The floor must be flat enough for work at height; the STILL MX-X offers Active Floor Compensation for uneven floors, but every site still needs an assessment.

How does VNA differ from a reach truck?

A reach truck has to turn in front of the rack and therefore needs a wider aisle; a VNA truck drives straight and rotates the forks, so aisles are narrower and lift heights are usually greater.

Can VNA trucks be automated?

Yes. STILL offers the MX-X iGo version and the iGo pilot navigation system with WMS integration. See our warehouse automation solutions.

Send us your floor plan and building height to receive a recommended STILL very narrow aisle truck configuration. Contact us via the quote page or call 0902 63 79 70.