The electric lift truck and the internal combustion or IC lift truck are the two main fuel types for forklifts used in the industry.
Normally, electric lift trucks are used away from the elements within indoor operations. These models are a lot easier to operate in a tight warehouse area. They are much quieter to operate and make no emissions which have to be collected or vented.
The IC lift truck however are great in outdoor operations and are most common on construction sites or on external loading docks. These units come with a lower upfront cost. Moreover, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel compared to the electric models, because these need several hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If you have decided to choose the IC route, the next decision you would face is what kind of fuel do you want to utilize to power your machinery? There are several newer hybrid models offered on the market, but the most common types of fuel are diesel, gasoline or propane forklifts.
When deciding on the right lift truck for your company, it is a great idea to go over the disadvantages and advantages that a specific kind of lift will bring to your business. For instance, will a propane lift be best for your particular company or application? Take time to read on in order to know more.
One of the best advantages propane forklifts have to offer is their immense flexibility. They are the fastest and easiest units to refill which is a huge thing to take into account since it drastically minimizes downtime on your warehouse floor. Like for instance, diesel forklifts need an on-site storage tank and pump system and electric lifts need hours to recharge. On the other hand, propane cylinders require no lift or crane to handle them and are fairly fast to swap out.
The biggest drawback of propane costs will likely be their ongoing costs. The regular maintenance and repair costs would be more frequent with these units than gasoline or diesel forklifts. Moreover, fuel expenses are usually higher on propane models as composed to gas or diesel. It is vital to consider the fact that fuel costs could really vary from place to place.