There are 2 main lift truck fuel varieties and types that are mainly used in the industry: electric lift trucks and internal combustion or IC forklifts.
Usually, electric forklifts are utilized away from the elements within indoor operations. These models are easier to operate inside of a confined warehouse space. They make no emissions which have to be collected or vented and are a lot quieter to operate.
On the other hand, internal combustion lift trucks are superior in outdoor applications and are commonly utilized in construction zones and external loading docks. These models are available with a less upfront cost. Moreover, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel compared to the electric models, since their internal batteries need several hours of recharging time.
If you have decided to select the IC route, the next decision you will face is what kind of fuel do you want to use to power your equipment? There are several newer hybrid units available on the market, but the most common types of fuel are diesel, gasoline or propane forklifts.
When choosing the right lift truck for your business, it is a good idea to go over the pros and cons that a particular type of lift would bring to your company. Like for example, would a propane lift be best for your particular company or application? Take time to read on to be able to find out more.
The immense flexibility of the propane lift truck is among their best advantages. They are the easiest and fastest models to refill that is a huge thing to take into account as it drastically minimizes downtime on your warehouse floor. Like for instance, diesel forklifts need a pump system and an on-site storage tank and electric lifts need hours to recharge. On the other hand, propane cylinders are fairly fast to swap out and need no cranes or lift to handle them.
The ongoing costs of a propane forklift could be its biggest disadvantage. The repair costs and regular maintenance would be more frequent with these units than diesel or gasoline forklifts. Moreover, fuel costs are typically higher on propane units than diesel or gas. It is very vital to consider the fact that fuel costs could greatly differ from place to place.