The electric forklift and the internal combustion or IC lift truck are the two main types of fuel for forklifts used in the industry.
Usually, electric forklifts are used away from the elements within indoor applications. These units are a lot easier to operate inside of a confined warehouse area. They are a lot quieter to utilize and produce no emissions which need to be vented or collected.
The internal combustion lift truck on the other hand are great in outdoor operations and are most common on construction sites or on external loading docks. These models come with a lower upfront cost. Additionally, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel compared to the electric units, since these require a few hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If your company does choose an internal combustion model, the next decision that is often faced is the fuel type that you will utilize to power your machine. There are some newer hybrid models available on the market, but the most common kinds of fuel are diesel, gasoline or propane forklifts.
When in the decision process to find the right forklift for your business, examining the advantages and disadvantages of each kind of machinery is a great idea. For instance, would a propane lift be best for your particular business or application? Take time to read on in order to find out more.
The immense flexibility of the propane lift truck is among their best advantages. They are the fastest and easiest units to refill which is a great thing to take into consideration as it drastically lessens downtime on your warehouse floor. For instance, diesel forklifts require a pump system and an on-site storage tank and electric lifts need hours to recharge. On the other hand, propane cylinders need no cranes or lift to handle them and are quite fast to swap out.
The biggest disadvantage of propane expenses will likely be their ongoing expenses. The repair expenses and regular maintenance will be more frequent with these models than diesel or gasoline lift trucks. Additionally, fuel costs are typically higher on propane units as composed to gas or diesel. It is vital to consider the fact that fuel expenses could really differ from place to place.