There are 2 main lift truck fuel types and varieties which are mainly used within the industry: electric forklifts and IC or internal combustion forklifts.
Usually, electric lift trucks are used away from the elements in indoor applications. These units are easier to operate in a confined warehouse space. They make no emissions that need to be collected or vented and are a lot quieter to use.
The IC forklift however are great in outdoor operations and are most common on external loading docks or on construction sites. These models are available with a lower upfront cost. Moreover, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel compared to the electric models, since these need a few hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If you have decided to choose the internal combustion route, the next decision you would face is what kind of fuel do you want to use to power your machine? There are some newer hybrid models offered on the market, but the most common kinds of fuel are gasoline, propane or diesel lift trucks.
When choosing the right forklift for your company, it is a good idea to go over the disadvantages and advantages that a particular kind of lift will bring to your business. For instance, would a propane lift be right for your particular application or business? Make time to read on to be able to find out more.
The immense flexibility of the propane forklift is among their best advantages. They are the fastest and easiest units to refill that is a great thing to take into consideration because it drastically lessens downtime on your warehouse floor. Like for instance, electric lifts need hours to recharge and diesel lift trucks require an on-site storage tank and pump system. Conversely, propane cylinders require no lift or crane to handle them and are fairly quick to swap out.
The ongoing expenses of a propane lift truck can be its biggest disadvantage. The regular maintenance and repair expenses would be more frequent with these models than gasoline or diesel lift trucks. Moreover, fuel costs are normally higher on propane models as composed to diesel or gas. It is really essential to consider the fact that fuel costs can really vary from place to place.