There are 2 main forklift fuel types and varieties which are mostly utilized within the industry: electric forklifts and internal combustion or IC forklifts.
The electric lift truck is typically utilized indoors away from the elements. These models are easier to use in a confined warehouse area. They produce no emissions that have to be vented or collected and are much quieter to operate.
The IC forklift however are great in outdoor operations and are most common on construction sites or on external loading docks. These models are offered with a lower 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 you have decided to choose the internal combustion route, the next decision you will face is what kind of fuel do you want to utilize to power your machine? There are several newer hybrid models on the market, but the most common fuel types are diesel, gasoline or propane lift trucks.
When in the decision process to find the best forklift for your company, examining the advantages and disadvantages of every type of machine is a great idea. Like for example, would a propane lift be best for your particular application or company? Make time to read on to be able to know more.
The immense flexibility of the propane forklift is amongst their best advantages. They are the easiest and fastest units to refill that is a huge thing to consider as it significantly minimizes downtime on your warehouse floor. For example, electric lifts require hours to recharge and diesel forklifts need a pump system and an on-site storage tank. On the other hand, propane cylinders are quite quick to swap out and need no lift or crane to handle them.
The ongoing expenses of a propane lift truck may be its biggest disadvantage. The repair expenses and regular maintenance will be more frequent with these models as compared to gasoline or diesel lift trucks. In addition, fuel expenses are normally higher on propane units as composed to gas or diesel. It is essential to consider the fact that fuel expenses can really differ from place to place.