The electric forklift and the internal combustion or IC lift truck are the two main fuel types for forklifts utilized within the industry.
The electric forklift is usually utilized indoors away from the elements. These units are easier to utilize in a confined warehouse area. They make no emissions which have to be collected or vented and are a lot quieter to operate.
The IC lift truck however are great in outdoor operations and are most common on construction sites or on external loading docks. These models come with a less upfront cost. Moreover, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel compared to the electric units, since these need several hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If you have decided to select the internal combustion route, the next decision you would face is what type of fuel do you want to utilize to power your equipment? There are several newer hybrid models on the market, but the most popular kinds of fuel are gasoline, propane or diesel forklifts.
When in the decision process to find the best forklift for your company, examining the pros and cons of every kind of equipment is a good idea. For instance, will a propane lift be best for your specific application or business? Take time to read on to be able to find out more.
The immense flexibility of the propane lift truck is among their best advantages. They are the easiest and fastest units to refill that is a huge thing to take into consideration as it drastically minimizes downtime on your warehouse floor. For instance, diesel forklifts require an on-site storage tank and pump system and electric lifts require hours to recharge. On the other hand, propane cylinders need no cranes or lift to handle them and are quite quick to swap out.
The ongoing expenses 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. Additionally, fuel costs are usually higher on propane models than diesel or gas. It is essential to consider the fact that fuel costs can really differ from place to place.