The electric lift truck and the internal combustion or IC lift truck are the two main fuel types for forklifts used within the industry.
Typically, electric forklifts are utilized away from the elements in indoor applications. These units are easier to utilize inside of a tight warehouse area. They are a lot quieter to use and make no emissions that have to be vented or collected.
However, IC lift trucks are great in outdoor applications and are usually utilized in external loading docks and construction zones. These models are offered with a lower upfront cost. Additionally, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric units, since their internal batteries need several hours of recharging time.
If your business does choose an internal combustion unit, the next decision which is usually faced is the fuel type which you would use to power your equipment. There are several newer hybrid models available on the market, but the most common fuel types are propane, diesel or gasoline lift trucks.
When in the decision process to find the right lift truck for your business, examining the pros and cons of each kind of machinery is a good idea. For instance, would a propane lift be best for your particular business or application? Make time to read on to be able to know more.
Amongst the best advantages propane lift trucks have to provide is their immense flexibility. They are the fastest and easiest units to refill that is a huge thing to take into account because it significantly minimizes downtime on your warehouse floor. Like for example, 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 need no lift or crane to handle them and are fairly fast to swap out.
The biggest disadvantage of propane costs will likely be their ongoing costs. The regular maintenance and repair costs would be more frequent with these models than diesel or gasoline forklifts. Furthermore, fuel expenses are usually higher on propane units as composed to diesel or gas. It is important to consider the fact that fuel expenses can greatly vary from place to place.