There are 2 main lift truck fuel varieties and types that are mainly utilized in the marketplace: electric forklifts and IC or internal combustion forklifts.
The electric forklift is normally utilized indoors away from the elements. These models are a lot easier to operate in a confined warehouse area. They are a lot quieter to run and produce no emissions that need to be collected or vented.
The internal combustion lift truck on the other hand are great in outdoor applications and are most common on construction sites or on external loading docks. These models come with a less upfront cost. Additionally, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel compared to the electric models, because these need a few hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If you have decided to pick the internal combustion route, the next decision you would face is what kind of fuel do you want to utilize to power your equipment? There are some newer hybrid models on the market, but the most popular kinds of fuel are diesel, gasoline or propane lift trucks.
When deciding on the best lift truck for your company, it is a good idea to go over the disadvantages and advantages that a particular type of lift will bring to your business. Like for example, would a propane lift be best for your specific company or application? Take time to read on to be able to know 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 consider as it significantly 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. On the other hand, propane cylinders require no lift or crane to handle them and are quite fast to swap out.
The biggest disadvantage of propane costs will likely be their ongoing costs. The regular maintenance and repair expenses would be more frequent with these units as compared to diesel or gasoline forklifts. Moreover, fuel costs are normally higher on propane units as composed to gas or diesel. It is very essential to consider the fact that fuel costs could greatly differ from place to place.