There are 2 main lift truck fuel varieties and types that are mainly used within the marketplace: electric lift trucks and IC or internal combustion forklifts.
Typically, electric lift trucks are utilized away from the elements within indoor applications. These models are a lot easier to use inside of a confined warehouse space. They make no emissions that need to be vented or collected and are a lot quieter to run.
On the other hand, internal combustion forklifts are great in outdoor operations and are commonly utilized in external loading docks and construction zones. These models come with a lower upfront cost. Moreover, IC forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric models, as their internal batteries need a few hours of recharging time.
If your business does choose an IC model, the next decision which is usually faced is the fuel type that you will use to power your machine. There are several newer hybrid units on the market, but the most popular fuel types are propane, diesel or gasoline lift trucks.
When in the decision process to find the right lift truck for your company, examining the advantages and disadvantages of every kind of equipment is a great idea. For instance, would a propane lift be best for your particular company or application? Make time to read on in order to find out more.
The immense flexibility of the propane lift truck is amongst their best advantages. They are the easiest and fastest models to refill which is a great thing to take into account as it drastically minimizes downtime on your warehouse floor. For example, electric lifts need hours to recharge and diesel forklifts need a pump system and an on-site storage tank. Conversely, propane cylinders are quite quick to swap out and require no lift or crane to handle them.
The ongoing costs of a propane lift truck could be its biggest drawback. The regular maintenance and repair expenses would be more frequent with these models as compared to diesel or gasoline lift trucks. Furthermore, fuel costs are usually higher on propane units than diesel or gas. It is really important to consider the fact that fuel expenses could really vary from place to place.