The electric lift truck and the internal combustion or IC forklift are the two main types of fuel for forklifts used in the industry.
The electric lift truck is usually used indoors away from the elements. These models are easier to operate inside of a confined warehouse space. They make no emissions which need to be vented or collected and are a lot quieter to run.
The IC lift truck on the other hand 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. Moreover, IC forklifts are faster to refuel than the electric units, as these require a few hours of recharging time for their internal batteries.
If you have decided to choose the IC route, the next decision you would face is what kind of fuel do you want to use to power your machinery? There are several newer hybrid models offered on the market, but the most popular types of fuel are gasoline, propane or diesel forklifts.
When in the decision process to find the right forklift for your business, examining the pros and cons of every kind of machine is a great idea. For instance, will a propane lift be best for your particular application or company? Take time to read on in order to know more.
The immense flexibility of the propane lift truck is amongst their best advantages. They are the fastest and easiest units to refill which 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 forklifts require an on-site storage tank and pump system. Conversely, propane cylinders are quite 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 repair expenses and regular maintenance will be more frequent with these units than gasoline or diesel forklifts. Furthermore, fuel costs are normally higher on propane models as composed to diesel or gas. It is important to consider the fact that fuel expenses can really vary from place to place.