There are 2 main lift truck fuel types and varieties that are mainly used within the industry: electric forklifts and IC or internal combustion forklifts.
Usually, electric lift trucks are utilized away from the elements within indoor applications. These units are a lot easier to utilize in a tight warehouse space. They produce no emissions that have to be collected or vented and are a lot quieter to use.
On the other hand, IC lift trucks are great in outdoor operations and are frequently used in external loading docks and construction zones. These units come with a less upfront cost. In addition, IC forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric models, as these need 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 utilize to power your equipment? There are several newer hybrid models 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 best lift truck for your company, examining the advantages and disadvantages of every kind of equipment is a great idea. For instance, will a propane lift be right for your specific company or application? 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 great thing to take into account because it significantly minimizes downtime on your warehouse floor. For example, diesel forklifts require an on-site storage tank and pump system and electric lifts require hours to recharge. Conversely, propane cylinders are fairly fast to swap out and require no lift or crane to handle them.
The ongoing expenses of a propane lift truck can be its biggest disadvantage. The regular maintenance and repair costs will be more frequent with these models as compared to gasoline or diesel forklifts. Furthermore, fuel expenses are typically higher on propane units as composed to diesel or gas. It is essential to consider the fact that fuel costs can greatly vary from place to place.