The electric forklift and the internal combustion or IC forklift are the two main fuel types for forklifts utilized within the industry.
Typically, electric lift trucks are used away from the elements in indoor applications. These units are easier to use inside of a tight warehouse area. They are a lot quieter to use and make no emissions which have to be collected or vented.
However, internal combustion lift trucks are superior in outdoor operations and are commonly utilized in external loading docks and construction zones. These units come with a less upfront cost. Furthermore, IC forklifts are faster to refuel compared to the electric units, as these require several hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If your business does choose an IC model, the next decision that is usually faced is the fuel type which you would use to power your machinery. There are some newer hybrid units on the market, but the most common kinds of fuel are diesel, gasoline or propane lift trucks.
When in the decision process to find the right forklift for your business, examining the pros and cons of every type of machinery is a great idea. Like for instance, will a propane lift be best for your particular application or business? Make time to read on to be able to know more.
The immense flexibility of the propane forklift is one of their best advantages. They are the easiest and fastest models to refill which is a huge thing to take into consideration since it significantly lessens downtime on your warehouse floor. Like for example, electric lifts need hours to recharge and diesel lift trucks need a pump system and an on-site storage tank. On the other hand, propane cylinders are fairly quick to swap out and need no lift or crane to handle them.
The biggest drawback of propane costs would likely be their ongoing expenses. The regular maintenance and repair expenses would be more frequent with these models as compared to gasoline or diesel lift trucks. In addition, fuel costs are usually higher on propane units as composed to diesel or gas. It is vital to consider the fact that fuel costs can greatly differ from place to place.