About 60 percent of the lift truck market is made up by electric lift truck models. These units are powered by large, heavy lead-acid batteries that give the machinery it's counterweight in order to avoid it from tipping over.
The ITA states that electric counterbalanced lift trucks are considered Class 1 lift trucks. The category of Class1 also includes stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks along with other electric trucks which are designed for general application. Although the initial investment when you buy an electric lift truck is more than an IC or internal combustion lift truck, electric trucks are much less costly to operate and run in the long-run. This is due to lesser maintenance and fuel expenses, than the IC models.
Most of the electric rider lift trucks shipped within North America is made for moving material inside. They are usually used in warehousing applications, and retail spaces. The electric units are the right option for inside use because of their ability to make less noise and emit zero toxic emissions.
Additionally, electric forklift could usually run a complete 8 hour shift on a single battery charge. Recharging, reloading and removing batteries, which roughly weigh approximately 3000 pounds could be time consuming and difficult. This cumbersome task normally requires a dedicated area for handling the battery. However, new fast charging technologies are now used to update this process and change the procedure to be able to complete it in a a lot quicker way.
This fast charging technology is considered to be enhanced charging technology. It has revolutionized electric model lift trucks and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The material handling industry experts, state that these new changes within the battery technology and battery charging systems could cut charging time by as much as 50 percent!
Internal Combustion or IC Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
The IC powered forklifts will depend on kinds of fuels, like LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, CNG or compressed natural gas and gasoline. The larger lift trucks are commonly used outdoors. Usually, these units are gas or diesel powered and uses pneumatic or air-filled tires so as to make them suitable for rough terrain and steep slopes, compared to cushion tires. Cushion tires are more suitable for smooth services and indoor use because they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG unit is the most popular fuel choice for indoor trucks. Today, there are over 600,000 propane-filled forklifts working all around the globe. These units offer a wide range of benefits. For example, propane-fueled forklifts maintain 100% constant power during operation. Moreover, these units offer faster ground speeds compared to other power sources.