The electric forklift and the internal combustion or IC lift truck are the two main types of fuel for forklifts used within the industry.
The electric lift truck is usually utilized indoors away from the elements. These models are a lot easier to utilize in a confined warehouse area. They are a lot quieter to run and produce no emissions which need to be collected or vented.
The IC lift truck on the other hand are great in outdoor operations and are most common on external loading docks or on construction sites. These models come with a lower upfront cost. In addition, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric units, because their internal batteries require a few hours of recharging time.
If your company does choose an IC model, the next decision that is usually faced is the fuel type which you will use to power your machine. There are some 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 right lift truck for your company, examining the advantages and disadvantages of each type of equipment is a good idea. For instance, will 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 forklift is one of their best advantages. They are the fastest and easiest units to refill which is a huge thing to take into account as it drastically minimizes 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. Conversely, propane cylinders require no lift or crane to handle them and are quite quick to swap out.
The ongoing costs of a propane lift truck can be its biggest disadvantage. The repair expenses and regular maintenance will be more frequent with these models as compared to gasoline or diesel lift trucks. Moreover, fuel costs are usually higher on propane units than gas or diesel. It is essential to consider the fact that fuel expenses can really differ from place to place.