The electric forklift is generally the best option for indoor applications in manufacturing and warehousing settings. This is mainly due to 2 reasons with the first being that they produce zero emissions. This is an extremely essential factor to take into consideration for indoor work places. Among the IC or internal combustion models, just the propane-fueled models can be utilized indoors and these models still require extremely good ventilation. Models which work on diesel and gas are not able to be used indoors under any circumstances.
Fuel cost is the other primary benefit of electric forklifts. These units have lower cost per hour compared to any of the other internal combustion or IC units. Amongst the main disadvantages to using the electric forklifts is their higher initial expense. New electric lift trucks could vary from 20% to 40% more than IC models that are rated the same.
Electric lift trucks on the other hand, offer numerous benefits like quiet operations, that can be a huge plus for indoor settings. In addition, no fuel storage needs mean no room needs to be allotted for tanks of fuels that are dangerous and flammable. Since electric forklifts have less parts that move than IC units, and they are usually used within cleaner environments and inside, they tend to have a longer lifespan overall.
The battery downtime is the biggest disadvantage of an electric lift truck. These models function with heavy, big, lead-acid batteries, like those found inside your car. These batteries are extremely large and really strong. Typically, batteries offer enough power for one standard 8-hour shift, and this translates into 5 or 6 hours of continuous utilization.
Originally, charging a lift truck battery takes about 8 hours. After the charging process is completed, an additional 8 hours of cooling time is required before it can be utilized. Due to this long process of slow charging speed and extra cooling time, if you need lift trucks for 2 or 3 shift operations, you must purchase additional batteries so you can be charging the nest battery always. These extra batteries will add approximately $1000 to $2000 to the purchase price.
There are several new fast charge electric lift trucks on the market. These specialized batteries have changed the electric lift truck industry. Their charging could be completed during the course of lunch and coffee breaks, enabling them to get back to work much faster.