The electric forklift and the internal combustion or IC lift truck are the two main types of fuel for forklifts used in the industry.
The electric lift truck is normally used indoors away from the elements. These models are a lot easier to operate inside of a confined warehouse space. They are a lot quieter to use and produce no emissions that need to be vented or collected.
On the other hand, internal combustion forklifts are great in outdoor applications and are commonly used in external loading docks and construction zones. These models are offered with a lower upfront cost. In addition, IC forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric units, because these require a few hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If you have decided to choose 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 offered on the market, but the most popular kinds of fuel are gasoline, propane or diesel forklifts.
When choosing the best forklift for your company, it is a great idea to go over the pros and cons which a specific kind of lift will bring to your business. Like for instance, would a propane lift be right for your specific application or company? Make time to read on in order to find out more.
Among the best advantages propane forklifts have to provide is their immense flexibility. They are the fastest and easiest units to refill which is a huge thing to take into account because it significantly lessens downtime on your warehouse floor. Like for example, electric lifts require hours to recharge and diesel forklifts need an on-site storage tank and pump system. On the other hand, propane cylinders require no cranes or lift to handle them and are fairly fast to swap out.
The biggest disadvantage of propane expenses would likely be their ongoing expenses. The repair costs and regular maintenance will be more frequent with these units than diesel or gasoline forklifts. In addition, fuel costs are usually higher on propane models than diesel or gas. It is very essential to consider the fact that fuel expenses could greatly differ from place to place.