Electric lift truck units make up nearly 60 percent of the lift truck market. These models are powered by heavy, big lead-acid batteries which which prevents the machine from tipping over as it acts as the counterweight.
According to the ITA, electric counterbalanced forklifts are considered Class 1 forklifts. Class 1 is the category which covers all stand-up counterbalanced trucks and other electric lift trucks. Though the first investment when purchasing an electric lift truck is more than an IC or internal combustion truck, electric forklifts are less expensive to run and operate in the long-run. This is because of lower fuel and maintenance costs, than the internal combustion models.
The majority of the electric rider forklift trucks shipped within North America is made for moving material inside. They are commonly utilized in retail spaces, and warehousing applications. The electric models are the right alternative for inside use due to their ability to emit zero toxic emissions and make less noise.
The battery of an electric lift truck can operate on average for 8 hours or for a single shift. The reloading, recharging and removing batteries which weigh upwards of 3000 pounds can be difficult and time consuming. This cumbersome task usually requires a dedicated area for battery handling. However, new fast charging technologies are being used to change the procedure and update this method to be able to complete it in a much faster way.
This fast charging technology is considered to be better charging technology. It has changed electric model lift trucks and the charging time of their batteries. The experts of the material handling industry, state that these new developments in the battery charging systems and battery technology can cut charging time by as much as 50 percent!
IC or Internal Combustion Counterbalanced Forklifts
The internal combustion powered lift truck will rely on types of fuels, like LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, CNG or compressed natural gas and gasoline. The bigger lift trucks are usually used outdoors. Normally, these units are diesel or gas powered and uses pneumatic or air-filled tires in order to make them appropriate for rough environment and steep inclines, as opposed to cushion tires. Cushion tires are more suitable for indoor use and smooth services as they are made from solid rubber.
The most popular fuel option for indoor trucks is LPG. There are more than 600,000 propane-filled forklifts today that are operating within DCs and within warehouses. These units offer a wide range of advantages. For instance, propane-fueled lift trucks maintain 100 percent consistent power during operation. Additionally, these units offer faster ground speeds than other power sources.