Last updated: August 2026
In the quest to optimise warehouse efficiency, every square metre counts. Rising property costs across Ireland and Northern Ireland mean more businesses are looking to maximise the storage capacity of the space they already occupy, rather than taking on additional premises at a higher rent.
Narrow aisle forklifts are one of the most effective tools for achieving this. By operating in significantly tighter aisles than conventional counterbalance forklifts, they allow you to fit more racking into the same footprint while typically increasing storage density by 20–40%. EP Equipment offers a range of narrow aisle solutions available from Clearlift, with models suitable for warehouses of all sizes.
What Is a Narrow Aisle Forklift?
A narrow aisle forklift is a specialised machine designed to navigate confined spaces efficiently. Unlike traditional counterbalance forklifts that require aisles of 3.5 metres or more to operate safely, narrow aisle models are engineered for aisles of 2.5 metres or less. They achieve this through compact chassis design, reach mechanisms, and advanced steering that’s enabling them to handle pallets in tight racking environments that would be inaccessible to a standard forklift.
Where Narrow Aisle Forklifts Are Used
Narrow aisle machines excel in any operation where space optimisation is a priority:
- High-bay racking environments — reach trucks can stack pallets at significant heights in narrow aisles, maximising vertical as well as horizontal space
- Distribution and logistics facilities — where throughput speed in racking-dense environments is critical
- Cold stores and refrigerated warehouses — where maximising storage density directly reduces energy costs per pallet stored
- Manufacturing parts storage — where a large variety of SKUs need to be stored in a limited footprint
- Compact warehouses — where the building footprint can’t be expanded but storage demand is growing
The EP Equipment Narrow Aisle Range at Clearlift
EP Equipment offers a range of narrow aisle solutions at different price points and capability levels:
EP ES16-RS — Electric Stacker Truck
The ES16-RS is a compact electric stacker truck designed for small to medium-sized warehouses looking to operate in narrow aisle environments. Its reach mechanism allows it to pick and place pallets in standard racking without requiring a wide turning aisle. Simple to operate and cost-effective, it’s a strong starting point for businesses transitioning from standard counterbalance to narrow aisle operations.
EP CQD16L / CQD20L — Reach Truck
The CQD series is EP’s core reach truck range, designed for medium to large warehouse operations. Featuring EP’s lithium-ion technology, the CQD16L (1,600kg capacity) and CQD20L (2,000kg capacity) are designed for high-bay racking environments with extended shift requirements. Opportunity charging means they remain productive across multi-shift operations without battery swaps.
EP CQE Series — Versatile Reach Truck
The CQE series is designed for warehouses handling diverse pallet types, non-standard loads, or particularly tight aisle configurations. Its versatility makes it suitable for operations that need to handle a wider variety of load types within the same narrow aisle environment.
Choosing the Right Machine for Your Irish Warehouse
Selecting the right narrow aisle solution depends on a few key factors:
- Aisle width: the minimum aisle width in your warehouse determines which machine categories are viable
- Racking height: the height you need to reach at determines whether a stacker or a full reach truck is required
- Load weight: heavier loads require higher-capacity models
- Shift length: multi-shift operations benefit from lithium-ion reach trucks with opportunity charging
- Floor surface: some narrow aisle machines are designed specifically for smooth warehouse floors
Our team at Clearlift can assess your warehouse layout and operating requirements and recommend the right solution. No obligation, it’s just a straightforward conversation about what will work for your specific space.
See Them Working at Our Navan Demo Centre
We have EP Equipment’s narrow aisle range available at our demo centre in Navan, Co. Meath. You can see the ES16-RS stacker and the CQD reach trucks operating in a real racking environment, get a practical demonstration of what aisle widths they require, and test them with your own load specifications.
Book a free demo visit: Contact us
Ireland: 01 5267 411 | Northern Ireland: 028 3833 7038
Clearlift Material Handling — Ireland’s only EP Equipment dealer. See our Warehouse equipment range.
