There are 2 main forklift fuel types and varieties which are mainly used in the marketplace: electric lift trucks and internal combustion or IC forklifts.
The electric forklift is typically utilized indoors away from the elements. These models are a lot easier to utilize inside of a tight warehouse area. They are a lot quieter to operate and produce no emissions that have to be collected or vented.
However, internal combustion lift trucks are superior in outdoor applications and are commonly used in external loading docks and construction zones. These units come with a lower upfront cost. In addition, IC forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric units, because their internal batteries need several hours of recharging time.
If your company does choose an IC unit, the next decision which is usually faced is the fuel type that you would utilize to power your equipment. There are some newer hybrid models available on the market, but the most common types of fuel are diesel, gasoline or propane lift trucks.
When in the decision process to find the right lift truck for your company, examining the pros and cons of each type of equipment is a good idea. Like for instance, will a propane lift be right for your specific company or application? Make time to read on to be able to know more.
The immense flexibility of the propane forklift is amongst their best advantages. They are the fastest and easiest units to refill which is a huge thing to take into account as it significantly lessens downtime on your warehouse floor. For example, diesel forklifts need an on-site storage tank and pump system and electric lifts need hours to recharge. Conversely, propane cylinders are quite quick to swap out and require no lift or crane to handle them.
The ongoing costs of a propane forklift may be its biggest disadvantage. The regular maintenance and repair expenses would be more frequent with these models than diesel or gasoline lift trucks. In addition, fuel expenses are usually higher on propane models as composed to diesel or gas. It is very important to consider the fact that fuel costs could greatly vary from place to place.