Hey Dan, I have seen where a reach truck was traveling rather fast, in the forks first direction, while raising and when the carriage struck an overhead crane, the truck flipped backwards, I was told the operator lost a leg.
(we aren't talking about "proper operation". we are discussing -emergency- egress of stand up operated narrow aisle equipment).
The forklift, once back upright, a new battery installed, washed down the spilled acid, and lost almost no hydraulic oil, worked well for many more years, never complained of guilt.

I have had the good fortune of operating this Crown Reach Truck with a seat. No seat belt tho', and it IS quite easy to step off in case of a tipover.

The BT's have the same configuration as well. All I have ever come across are the older ones and they have no seat belts either. Again, it is quite fast and easy to jump out.

However, the sit-down is not as easy as one must clear the steering wheel, then turn sideways, and either slip or push oneself out, and in that time, the truck has indeed tipped, trapping the poor operator between the truck and the ground.

Much easier in the sit-down reach trucks. They are sitting sideways. The truck is not going to tip backwards unless they are falling off a loading dock backwards.

dan m,

I have seen mast reach trucks where the operator is seated & fitted with a lap belt. I know Crown has an a pantograph reach unit where the operator can be seated -not certain if they have lap belts also. What to do?

On stand up trucks, I teach my participants to step out. Sit-downs, they stay in buckled.

That is why they do not put doors on stand-ups, counterbalance or reach, so the operator may quickly escape out of the unit. I once viewed a film by Clark, Better Safe Than Sorry, where they strongly urge the operator to step out.

Only makes sense!

finn r,

Not certain what type of reach unit you maybe refering to. But most reach unit (carriage pantograph design not mast reach type) are not fitted with seat belts. The operator merely stands in the compartment and hold on to the tiller and hydraulic control handle or lever(s). At one time US manufacturers offered a optional door enclosure over the operators entry opening to keep the operator retained inside but because of issues that the operator could not easily escape when the unit over turned many if not all discountinued this option.

I always was advised that on stand-up units (reach type not counterbalanced) it is best for the operator to step out in cas of turn over as most units reach unti will turn over sideways

It would be interesting to here from someone from Crown, Raymond (pantograph reach) and Nichiyu (mast reach manufactuer) on this matter.

finn r,

Not certain what type of reach unit you maybe refering to. But most reach unit (carriage pantograph design not mast reach type) are not fitted with seat belts. The operator merely stands in the compartment and hold on to the tiller and hydraulic control handle or lever(s). At one time US manufacturers offered a optional door enclosure over the operators entry opening to keep the operator retained inside but because of issues that the operator could not easily escape when the unit over turned many if not all discountinued this option.

I always was advised that on stand-up units (reach type not counterbalanced) it is best for the operator to step out in cas of turn over as most units reach unti will turn over sideways

It would be interesting to here from someone from Crown, Raymond (pantograph reach) and Nichiyu (mast reach manufactuer) on this matter.

yes its the same.((for container reach stackers)
do you think you get a clean getaway then sure.
i don,t think there is time (how big is your reach truck?)
legally the operator should stay seatbelted up in case it goes bad and he /she gets hurt.