Around 60 percent of the lift truck market is made up by electric forklift models. These models get their power from large, heavy lead-acid batteries which that prevents the machine from tipping over since it gives it the counterweight.
Based on ITA, electric counterbalanced lift trucks are considered Class 1 forklifts. Class 1 is the category that covers all stand-up counterbalanced trucks and other electric lift trucks. Although the initial investment when you buy an electric forklift is more than an IC or internal combustion truck, electric lift trucks are less costly to operate and run in the long-run. This is due to lower fuel and maintenance expenses, than the internal combustion or IC models.
The majority of the electric rider forklift trucks shipped within North America is designed for transporting material indoors. They are usually used in retail spaces, and warehousing applications. The electric units are the best choice for inside use as they make less noise and emit zero toxic emissions.
The battery of an electric lift truck could run on average for 8 hours or for a single shift. The reloading, recharging and removing batteries that weigh upwards of 3000 pounds can be hard and time consuming. This burdensome task normally requires a dedicated area for battery handling. Nonetheless, new fast charging technologies are now utilized to update this process and change the procedure to be able to complete it in a much faster method.
This fast charging technology is considered to be enhanced charging technology. It has revolutionized electric model forklifts and the charging time of their batteries. The material handling business experts, state that these new developments within the battery charging systems and battery technology can cut charging time by as much as 50%!
Internal Combustion Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
The internal combustion powered lift truck would rely on types of fuels, such as LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, CNG or compressed natural gas and gasoline. The larger lift trucks are commonly used outside. Generally, these units operate on gas or diesel and utilizes air-filled or pneumatic tires so as to make them appropriate for rough terrain and steep inclines, compared to cushion tires. Cushion tires are better suited for indoor applications and smooth services as they are made from solid rubber.
The most common fuel option for indoor trucks is LPG. There are over 600,000 propane-filled forklifts nowadays which are operating within DCs and in warehouses. These models provide numerous advantages. For instance, forklifts that operate on propane fuel maintain 100 percent constant power during operation. In addition, these units offer faster ground speeds compared to other power sources.