Basic Kinds of Fuels Used for Forklifts
Forklifts, also called powered lift trucks, are used to do various tasks in industrial, construction and distribution settings. These heavy-duty machines are intended to be tough and reliable so they are capable of moving heavy objects in all different types of conditions and environments. Forklifts are powered by various types of fuels and therefore could adapt to lots of different work environments.
Electricity
The electric models generate no emissions and reliable and quiet. These units could run on industrial-strength large batteries that are made to be able to be successfully recharged about 1500 times during their useful lifespan. As electric forklifts create no exhaust fumes, it is usually the machinery of choice and necessity in areas which have limited ventilation. These forklifts require a charging station somewhere on the premises which is equipped with an emergency acid spill kit and eyewash station due to the batteries. For safety reasons, the charging area must be well ventilated.
Propane
Liquid propane is a common source of power for the modern lift truck. Propane offers various advantages over electric and diesel models. For instance, propane is normally cheaper compared to electricity. When recharging the battery, there is no need to remove the lift truck from service.
Propane units also provide a much cleaner operation compared to forklifts which are powered by diesel. In the majority of cases, a propane forklift could be refueled by just changing out the empty propane tank with a new one which is full. Usually, an off-site supplier would re-fill the tanks. This guarantees an easy, safe and fast re-fueling process.
Diesel and Gasoline
Because forklifts which use gasoline or diesel produce smelly exhaust, they need more maintenance. They have relatively high fuel costs as well. Since they have a much longer and useful lifespan, they are quite dependable compared to electric or propane models. Re-fueling requires a fuel supply on site that follows strict health and safety codes. Diesel and gas models are mainly used on rough terrain in outdoor applications, such as on construction sites or in lumber yard environments.