Measure the complete route a forklift must travel and work in: aisles, doors, overhead obstructions, racks and loading areas. Ask for the manufacturer’s working-aisle requirement with your actual pallet and load. Turning radius alone is not the answer.
Measure usable clearance
Record the narrowest clear aisle between actual obstructions. Include protruding stock, rack guards, columns and staged pallets. A dimension on an old building plan may differ from today’s working space.
Check every height restriction
Measure doors and overhead obstructions along the route, then identify the highest pallet placement. Ask for lowered mast height, extended mast height and any free-lift requirement. A truck that reaches the top rack can still be unable to pass through a door.
Use the real load dimensions
Give the supplier the pallet size and any load overhang. The space required to turn and place a load depends on more than the truck’s body width. Ask for a layout review using the equipment’s technical data and appropriate operating clearance.
Check surfaces and transitions
Include floor condition, ramps, dock plates, trailer access and changes in level. Confirm the suitability of the particular equipment for the route. Do not use a storage-aisle specification as evidence that a truck is appropriate for every loading task.