Do I Need an Electric, Diesel, CNG or Gas Forklift?

Diesel, LPG, CNG or Electric can be a tough question for many warehouse managers. Forklifts have been around for almost 100 years. Over that time, they have undergone many improvements and with this constant progression, lifts can be used on almost any landscape to perform many tasks. Today, the fundamental rule of a forklift has not changed: move something from point A to point B. There are many characteristics that divide different types of lifts, but perhaps the most apparent would be fuel type. There are two types of motors used in forklifts: 1) internal combustion (gas, propane, diesel, compressed natural gas) and 2) electric. When selecting a forklift, knowing exactly what it will be used for and where it will be used will dictate what fuel type is needed.

Electric Lifts

Electric forklift are fueled by large, heavy batteries that provide a large amount of the counter weight on the lift. These lifts are more common than internal combustion and are used almost entirely indoors. Electric lifts are far more preferable for inside use because they produce no emissions and are very quiet. However, these lifts are far more expensive than an internal combustion lift in most cases. The price of the battery is what tips the scale on cost, but many believe this is made up for because of their extremely low maintenance and fuel costs.

In the past few years there have not been much advancement with the lift itself. Instead, individuals have been focusing more on how we refuel them. Opportunity charging has allowed electric lifts to be recharged anytime it is not needed at that very moment. In the past, charging an electric lift at every opportunity throughout the day would cause damage by reducing the useful life of the battery.

Internal Combustion Lifts

Internal Combustion Forklifts are primarily used outdoors due to their emissions and engine noise. Using a LPG lift truck indoors is very common. They are faster than electric lifts and take very little time to refuel. Because of this, they are the most common fuel type for internal combustion lifts. Diesel and gasoline lifts are used primarily for large capacity. One huge advantage an internal combustion lift has over an electric lift is that it can be used 24 hours a day. Most of the time these lifts are not operated on flat, smooth surfaces and because of this they require pneumatic tires which can be used on almost any hard surface.

Selecting which fuel type you need is an important decision when purchasing a new forklift. Making sure you have the correctly-sized unit for the right job is the most important factor in any lift truck. This can be much more complicated than deciding whether a piece of equipment will be used indoors or out.

So how do I take the guesswork out of my decision?
Having a professional come to your site and inspecting your work space is the best way to be sure you are getting the correct equipment for your application and environment. Shoppa's Mid America can guide you in selecting the right piece of equipment to fit your needs, as well as give you advice in lowering operating costs and increasing production. To get started, contact us today!