There are 2 main lift truck fuel types and varieties which are mostly utilized within the industry: electric forklifts and IC or internal combustion forklifts.
The electric forklift is typically used indoors away from the elements. These models are a lot easier to utilize inside of a confined warehouse area. They make no emissions which have to be collected or vented and are much quieter to use.
The internal combustion lift truck however are great in outdoor operations and are most common on external loading docks or on construction sites. These models come with a less upfront cost. Furthermore, internal combustion forklifts are faster to refuel compared to the electric units, as their internal batteries require a few hours of recharging time.
If you have decided to pick the internal combustion route, the next decision you would face is what kind of fuel do you want to use to power your equipment? There are some newer hybrid models on the market, but the most common fuel types are diesel, gasoline or propane forklifts.
When in the decision process to find the best lift truck for your business, examining the advantages and disadvantages of each type of machine is a great idea. For example, will a propane lift be right for your particular application or company? Make 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 units to refill that is a huge thing to consider because it significantly lessens downtime on your warehouse floor. Like for instance, electric lifts need hours to recharge and diesel forklifts require an on-site storage tank and pump system. Conversely, propane cylinders need no cranes or lift to handle them and are fairly quick to swap out.
The biggest drawback of propane expenses will likely be their ongoing expenses. The regular maintenance and repair expenses would be more frequent with these units as compared to gasoline or diesel lift trucks. Moreover, fuel expenses are typically higher on propane units as composed to diesel or gas. It is important to consider the fact that fuel expenses could greatly differ from place to place.