Electric Forklift Vs. Diesel Forklift
A forklift could function either by an electric motor or by an internal combustion or IC motor. Electric forklifts are best for indoor use and cost a lot less to use. IC machinery are suitable for outdoor application and are quicker to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
Electric lifts produce no exhaust, that makes them the machinery of choice for indoor use where the quality of air is a concern. Electric forklifts are clean and are not noisy. They are 20% to 40% more expensive to purchase than IC lifts, but the per-hour operating cost of electric models is a lot less. The downside is that batteries require 16 hours to charge and cool down, so buying an extra set of batteries is recommended. Electric lifts are not limited for use indoors, but when used outdoors they should be used carefully.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts are for outdoor use, and their carrying capacity is higher than electric forklifts. If your fleet usually operates on one kind of fuel, it may be a good choice to purchase an IC unit which uses the same fuel. They can run on gas, propane or diesel. Diesel is the most economical. IC forklifts have the advantage of being easy to refuel and cheaper to operate; however, their operating cost on a per hour basis is higher. Most IC models cannot be used indoors.
Other Kinds of Forklifts
Narrow-aisle electric forklifts are suitable for tight spaces within warehouses. They are designed to pick up loads without having to position the lift facing the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have huge tires for running on difficult surfaces.