There are 2 main forklift fuel varieties and types which are mainly used within the marketplace: electric forklifts and IC or internal combustion forklifts.
Typically, electric lift trucks are used away from the elements in indoor operations. These units are easier to use in a confined warehouse area. They are much quieter to operate and produce no emissions that need to be collected or vented.
However, internal combustion lift trucks are great in outdoor applications and are normally used in external loading docks and construction zones. These models come with a lower upfront cost. Furthermore, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric units, since these require a few hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If your business does choose an internal combustion unit, the next decision which is usually faced is the fuel type that you would use to power your machine. There are some newer hybrid models on the market, but the most popular types of fuel are diesel, gasoline or propane lift trucks.
When in the decision process to find the right forklift for your business, examining the pros and cons of every type of equipment is a great idea. For instance, will a propane lift be best for your specific business or application? Make time to read on to be able to know more.
The immense flexibility of the propane forklift is amongst their best advantages. They are the fastest and easiest models to refill which is a great thing to take into consideration because it significantly lessens downtime on your warehouse floor. For example, diesel forklifts require a pump system and an on-site storage tank and electric lifts require hours to recharge. On the other hand, propane cylinders are fairly quick to swap out and require no cranes or lift to handle them.
The ongoing costs of a propane lift truck may be its biggest drawback. The repair costs and regular maintenance will be more frequent with these models as compared to gasoline or diesel lift trucks. Furthermore, fuel costs are typically higher on propane units than diesel or gas. It is essential to consider the fact that fuel expenses could greatly vary from place to place.