What is a cold store forklift?
A cold store forklift is a truck specified to keep working in chilled and frozen conditions. Low temperatures thicken hydraulic oil, sap battery capacity, make floors slippery and wear operators down quickly, so a standard truck tends to slow up, break down or need long warming breaks for the driver.
A purpose-built cold storage forklift deals with each of those problems. The Cold Store Aisle Master uses grade 32 wax-free hydraulic oil that stays fluid in the cold, a Vulkollan rear drive wheel for grip on icy floors, and large battery options of up to 930Ah for long shifts at low temperatures, according to Combilift.
Why space matters more in a cold store
Every pallet position in a cold store has to be built, insulated, refrigerated and lit, so the cost per position is far higher than in an ambient warehouse. Wide aisles mean paying to chill empty air.
The Aisle Master is an articulated truck: the front section turns to face the racking while the truck stays straight in the aisle. That lets it work in aisles from around 1.6 metres, compared with roughly 2.7 to 3.2 metres for a reach truck. Combilift puts the gain at 30% or more extra storage capacity compared with a reach truck layout, and the range can lift to heights of up to 15 metres depending on model and mast.
It can also leave the racking and unload lorries in the dock, so one truck can do the work that would otherwise need a reach truck in the freezer and a counterbalance truck at the doors. Fewer trips through the freezer doors also means less warm air getting in.
A cab built for the cold
Heated and enclosed. The fully enclosed cab keeps the operator warm, so they can stay productive for longer between breaks instead of stopping to warm up.
Clear windows. Heated cab glass stops condensation forming when the truck moves between temperature zones, which is when visibility usually suffers on a standard truck.
Everything to hand. There is space in the cab for a barcode scanner, so operators can scan and confirm picks without getting out, and LED work lights come as standard.
Is the Cold Store Aisle Master right for your site?
It is a strong fit for frozen and chilled warehouses, food distribution centres and cold chain 3PLs where storage density and operator comfort both matter. It also suits sites that move regularly between ambient and frozen areas, since the heated windows keep visibility clear through each change.
If your store is ambient, the standard AC Electric Aisle Master does the same narrow aisle work without the cold store specification. For order picking as well as pallet handling, see the Aisle Master Order Picker. You can compare the full range on our Aislemaster forklifts page, or look at reach trucks if your racking is very high and your floors are level. For long loads, the Combilift range is the better match.
Buying, hiring or leasing a cold store forklift
The Cold Store Aisle Master is available to buy, on contract hire or lease, or on short-term hire. Hiring first lets you test it in your own freezer aisles before changing the racking layout. See our hire and leasing options.
Cold stores are hard on trucks, so regular servicing matters more than usual. Our engineers handle planned maintenance, breakdowns and LOLER thorough examinations; see servicing and repairs. Adding forklift telematics helps you track impacts and usage across shifts.
