The electric lift truck and the internal combustion or IC lift truck are the two main types of fuel for forklifts utilized in the industry.
Typically, electric lift trucks are used away from the elements in indoor operations. These units are a lot easier to operate inside of a confined warehouse area. They make no emissions which need to be collected or vented and are a lot quieter to run.
On the other hand, internal combustion forklifts are great in outdoor applications and are frequently used in external loading docks and construction zones. These units are available with a lower upfront cost. Additionally, IC forklifts are faster to refuel compared to the electric units, since these require a few hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If you have decided to choose the IC route, the next decision you will face is what type of fuel do you want to use to power your equipment? There are some newer hybrid models on the market, but the most popular kinds of fuel are propane, diesel or gasoline forklifts.
When in the decision process to find the best forklift for your business, examining the advantages and disadvantages of every kind of machinery is a great idea. Like for instance, will a propane lift be right for your particular business or application? Make time to read on in order to know more.
Amongst the best advantages propane forklifts have to offer is their immense flexibility. They are the easiest and fastest models to refill which is a great thing to consider as it significantly lessens downtime on your warehouse floor. Like for instance, electric lifts require hours to recharge and diesel lift trucks require a pump system and an on-site storage tank. On the other hand, propane cylinders are quite fast to swap out and require no lift or crane to handle them.
The ongoing costs of a propane forklift could be its biggest drawback. The repair costs and regular maintenance will be more frequent with these units as compared to diesel or gasoline forklifts. Furthermore, fuel costs are usually higher on propane models than diesel or gas. It is essential to consider the fact that fuel costs could really vary from place to place.