There are 2 main lift truck fuel varieties and types that are mainly utilized within the marketplace: electric forklifts and internal combustion or IC forklifts.
Normally, electric lift trucks are utilized away from the elements within indoor applications. These units are a lot easier to operate in a confined warehouse area. They are a lot quieter to run and produce no emissions which have to be collected or vented.
On the other hand, internal combustion lift trucks are superior in outdoor operations and are usually used in external loading docks and construction zones. These models come with a less upfront cost. Furthermore, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel compared to the electric units, as these need several hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If your business does choose an internal combustion unit, the next decision that is normally faced is the fuel type which you would utilize to power your machinery. There are several newer hybrid models available on the market, but the most popular fuel types are propane, diesel or gasoline lift trucks.
When in the decision process to find the best forklift for your business, examining the advantages and disadvantages of each type of equipment is a good idea. For example, will a propane lift be right for your particular application or business? Take time to read on in order to know more.
The immense flexibility of the propane forklift is one of their best advantages. They are the fastest and easiest models to refill which is a great thing to take into consideration since it drastically minimizes downtime on your warehouse floor. Like for instance, electric lifts need hours to recharge and diesel lift trucks require a pump system and an on-site storage tank. Conversely, propane cylinders are quite fast to swap out and require no lift or crane to handle them.
The ongoing expenses of a propane forklift could be its biggest disadvantage. The repair expenses and regular maintenance will be more frequent with these units than gasoline or diesel forklifts. In addition, fuel costs are usually higher on propane models than gas or diesel. It is very important to consider the fact that fuel costs could really differ from place to place.