Electric forklift units make up nearly 60 percent of the forklift market. These models are powered by heavy, big lead-acid batteries that that prevents the machinery from tipping over as it gives it the counterweight.
According to the ITA, electric counterbalanced lift trucks are considered Class 1 lift trucks. Class 1 is the category which covers all stand-up counterbalanced trucks and other electric forklifts. Even if the first investment when you buy an electric forklift is more than an IC or internal combustion truck, electric lift trucks are a lot less costly to run and operate in the long-run. This is due to lesser fuel and maintenance costs, than the IC models.
In North America, the majority of electric rider forklifts are made for moving materials indoors. Electric rider trucks are used most commonly in warehousing applications, and retail spaces. The electric units are the right choice for inside applications because they make less noise and emit zero toxic emissions.
Additionally, electric forklift can generally run a complete 8 hour shift on one battery charge. Recharging, reloading and removing batteries, that generally weigh approximately 3000 pounds could be time consuming and hard. This cumbersome task normally needs a dedicated space for battery handling. However, new fast charging technologies are being used to change the procedure and update this process to be able to complete it in a a lot faster method.
Fast charging technologies are considered the best charging technologies. It has revolutionized electric unit forklifts and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The professionals of the material handling business, state that these new changes within the battery charging systems and battery technology can reduce charging time by as much as 50%!
Internal Combustion or IC Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
The IC powered forklifts would rely on types of fuels, such as LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, CNG or compressed natural gas and gasoline. The larger forklifts are normally used outside. Normally, these units operate on diesel or gas and uses pneumatic or air-filled tires in order to make them suitable for steep inclines and rough environment, as opposed to cushion tires. Cushion tires are more suitable for smooth services and indoor applications as they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG unit is the most common fuel option for indoor trucks. Today, there are more than 600,000 propane-filled forklifts operating all over the world. These models provide numerous advantages. Like for instance, lift trucks that operate on propane fuel maintain 100 percent constant power during operation. In addition, these models provide faster ground speeds than other power sources.