The electric lift truck and the internal combustion or IC lift truck are the two main fuel types for forklifts used within the industry.
The electric lift truck is normally utilized indoors away from the elements. These units are a lot easier to utilize inside of a confined warehouse space. They produce no emissions that have to be vented or collected and are a lot quieter to operate.
However, IC lift trucks are great in outdoor operations and are normally utilized in construction zones and external loading docks. These units come with a less upfront cost. In addition, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric models, because these need a few hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If you have decided to pick the internal combustion route, the next decision you would face is what type of fuel do you want to use to power your machine? There are several newer hybrid models offered on the market, but the most common types 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 machinery is a good idea. For example, will a propane lift be best for your particular business or application? Take time to read on in order to know more.
Among the best advantages propane forklifts have to offer is their immense flexibility. They are the fastest and easiest models to refill which is a huge thing to consider as it significantly lessens downtime on your warehouse floor. Like for example, diesel forklifts need a pump system and an on-site storage tank and electric lifts require hours to recharge. Conversely, propane cylinders are quite quick to swap out and need no cranes or lift to handle them.
The ongoing costs of a propane forklift may be its biggest disadvantage. The repair expenses and regular maintenance will be more frequent with these units as compared to gasoline or diesel lift trucks. In addition, fuel expenses are normally higher on propane models than gas or diesel. It is important to consider the fact that fuel expenses can really differ from place to place.