The electric lift truck and the IC or internal combustions forklift are the two main fuel types for forklifts used within the industry.
The electric forklift is normally utilized indoors away from the elements. These models are a lot easier to operate in a tight warehouse area. They make no emissions that need to be vented or collected and are a lot quieter to run.
The internal combustion lift truck however are great in outdoor applications and are most common on construction sites or on external loading docks. These units are available with a lower upfront cost. In addition, IC forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric units, as their internal batteries need several hours of recharging time.
If your business does choose an IC unit, the next decision which is usually faced is the fuel type that you would use to power your machine. There are several newer hybrid models available on the market, but the most popular types of fuel are gasoline, propane or diesel lift trucks.
When in the decision process to find the best forklift for your business, examining the pros and cons of every kind of machinery is a good idea. For example, would a propane lift be best for your specific company or application? Take time to read on to be able to know more.
One of the best advantages propane lift trucks have to provide is their immense flexibility. They are the easiest and fastest models to refill which is a great thing to take into account since it drastically minimizes downtime on your warehouse floor. For example, electric lifts require hours to recharge and diesel lift trucks require an on-site storage tank and pump system. Conversely, propane cylinders are fairly fast to swap out and require no cranes or lift to handle them.
The biggest disadvantage of propane costs will likely be their ongoing expenses. The regular maintenance and repair expenses would be more frequent with these models as compared to gasoline or diesel forklifts. Moreover, fuel costs are usually higher on propane units as composed to diesel or gas. It is essential to consider the fact that fuel expenses can greatly vary from place to place.