There are 2 main forklift fuel varieties and types which are mainly used in the marketplace: electric lift trucks and IC or internal combustion forklifts.
Usually, electric lift trucks are used away from the elements within indoor applications. These units are a lot easier to operate in a confined warehouse area. They are much quieter to use and produce 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 models come with a lower upfront cost. Furthermore, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric models, since these need several hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If your company does choose an IC unit, the next decision that is usually faced is the fuel type which you will use to power your equipment. There are some newer hybrid units offered on the market, but the most popular fuel types are diesel, gasoline or propane lift trucks.
When choosing the best forklift for your company, it is a good idea to go over the disadvantages and advantages that a specific kind of lift would bring to your company. Like for instance, would a propane lift be right for your particular application or company? Make time to read on in order to find out more.
The immense flexibility of the propane forklift is one of their best advantages. They are the easiest and fastest models to refill that is a huge thing to consider as it drastically minimizes downtime on your warehouse floor. For example, electric lifts need hours to recharge and diesel lift trucks need an on-site storage tank and pump system. Conversely, propane cylinders are quite quick to swap out and require no cranes or lift to handle them.
The ongoing costs of a propane lift truck can be its biggest disadvantage. The regular maintenance and repair expenses would be more frequent with these units as compared to gasoline or diesel lift trucks. In addition, fuel costs are usually higher on propane models than diesel or gas. It is very important to consider the fact that fuel expenses can really differ from place to place.