Propane Forklifts
Other than the bother of having to change the propane cylinder, there is little risk associated with running out of fuel with propane forklifts. These units are rather a bit lower in their cost than electric and diesel forklifts. The debate to whether or not the propane emissions are cleaner than diesel emissions continues in the business.
Performance wise, propane forklifts seem to handle better compared to the majority of electric models on the market when the task requires high applications and constant duty drive line torque. There are some electric units that are supposed to handle better or equally. Depending on the specific situation, propane lifts may or may not be acceptable for handling food and edible goods. Provided that WorkSafeBC criteria are met, propane lift trucks are suitable for most indoor applications.
The Disadvantages of LPG Propane Forklifts
Some of the key disadvantages of LPG forklifts are that compared to diesel trucks consist of: they are not as effective in applications which need high and or constant duty drive line torque. These models have a liability exposure, due to the possibility of a fuel system leak while the truck is located indoors. Furthermore, operators need to be trained on the safe use of propane fuel. The rearward visibility off of the back end of the counterweight is limited. This is due to the propane tank's location.
The fuel cost is higher with propane models when compared to the diesel unit. Due to the frequency at which the propane tanks are changed, there are possible injuries that may occur. Unless a place has a bulk fill station, propane may need to be changed every six hours of use. Propane forklifts can be harder to start and run smoothly when they are operating in freezing temperatures. In remote places, propane fuel is not always readily available. In the next few decades, the fossil fuel cost is projected to rise significantly. Consider and plan for overall repair maintenance costs, as well as the entire cost of ownership to be the highest of the 3 alternatives.
Depending on what your specific applications are, there is certainly a possibility that the LPG forklift units will be ideal for you. It is better to take into account your particular loads and lifting requirements as well as the types of environments you will be operating in order to be certain that you purchase the right model to meet your requirements.