Electric forklift units make up nearly 60 percent of the forklift market. These units get their power from heavy, large lead-acid batteries which which prevents the machine from tipping over because it gives it the counterweight.
The ITA states that electric counterbalanced forklifts are considered Class 1 forklifts. The category of Class1 also includes stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks along with other electric trucks which are designed for general application. Even though the first investment when purchasing an electric forklift is more compared to an IC or internal combustion forklift, electric forklifts are less costly to operate and run in the long-run. This is because of lower maintenance and fuel costs, compared to the IC models.
The majority of the electric rider forklift trucks shipped in North America is made for moving material inside. They are normally utilized in warehousing applications, and retail spaces. The electric units are the right choice for inside applications due to their ability to emit zero toxic emissions and make less noise.
The battery of an electric forklift can operate on average for 8 hours or for a single shift. The reloading, recharging and removing batteries that weigh upwards of 3000 pounds could be difficult and time consuming. This burdensome job usually requires a dedicated area for battery handling. However, new fast charging technologies are now used to update this process and change the procedure to be able to accomplish it in a a lot quicker method.
This fast charging technology is considered to be better charging technology. It has changed electric model lift trucks and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The material handling business experts, state that these new changes in the battery technology and battery charging systems could reduce charging time by up to 50%!
IC Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
The internal combustion powered lift truck will rely on kinds of fuels, such as LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, compressed natural gas or CNG and gasoline. The bigger lift trucks are normally used outside. Generally, these units operate on diesel or gas and uses air-filled or pneumatic tires in order to make them appropriate for rough environment and steep inclines, compared to cushion tires. Cushion tires are more suitable for indoor applications and smooth services since they are made from solid rubber.
The most popular fuel choice for indoor trucks is LPG. There are over 600,000 propane-filled lift trucks nowadays which are operating within DCs and in warehouses. These models provide various benefits. For instance, propane-fueled forklifts maintain 100% consistent power during operation. Moreover, these models offer faster ground speeds as opposed to other power sources.