Electric forklift units make up nearly 60 percent of the lift truck market. These models are powered by big, heavy lead-acid batteries that which prevents the machine from tipping over since it acts as the counterweight.
According to the ITA, electric counterbalanced forklifts are considered Class 1 lift trucks. Class 1 is the category which includes all stand-up counterbalanced trucks and other electric lift trucks. Though the initial investment when you purchase an electric lift truck is more than an internal combustion or IC forklift, electric lift trucks are less costly to operate and run in the long-run. This is because of lower maintenance and fuel expenses, than the internal combustion units.
Most of the electric rider forklift trucks shipped within North America is designed for moving material indoors. They are normally utilized in warehousing applications, and retail spaces. The electric models are the right choice for inside use since they emit zero toxic emissions and make less noise.
The battery of an electric lift truck can operate on average for 8 hours or for one shift. The recharging, reloading and removing batteries which weigh upwards of 3000 pounds could be hard and time consuming. This cumbersome job normally needs a dedicated space for battery handling. Nonetheless, new fast charging technologies are being used to update this process and change the procedure to be able to accomplish it in a much faster way.
This fast charging technology is considered to be better charging technology. It has changed electric unit forklifts and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The material handling industry experts, state that these new changes in the battery charging systems and battery technology could reduce charging time by up to 50 percent!
Internal Combustion Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
The internal combustion powered forklifts will rely on types of fuels, like LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, compressed natural gas or CNG and gasoline. The larger forklifts are normally utilized outside. Generally, these models operate on gas or diesel and uses air-filled or pneumatic tires so as to make them appropriate for rough environment and steep slopes, compared to cushion tires. Cushion tires are better suited for smooth services and indoor applications since they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG unit is the most popular fuel option for indoor trucks. These days, there are over 600,000 propane-filled lift trucks working all over the world. These units provide numerous benefits. For example, propane-fueled forklifts maintain 100 percent constant power during operation. Additionally, these models offer faster ground speeds compared to other power sources.