Electric Forklift Vs. Diesel Forklift
A forklift can be powered either by internal combustion (IC) motor or by an electric motor. Electric forklifts are best for indoor use and cost less to operate. IC machinery are best for use outdoors and are faster to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
Electric lifts produce no exhaust, that makes them the equipment of choice for indoor applications where the quality of air is a problem. Electric forklifts are clean and are not noisy. They are 20% to 40% more expensive to purchase compared to IC lifts, but the per-hour operating cost of electric models is much less. The disadvantage is that batteries need 16 hours to charge and cool down, so the purchase of an extra set of batteries is recommended. Electric lifts are not limited for use indoors, but when utilized outdoors they should be utilized cautiously.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts have a higher carrying capacity compared to electric forklifts and are generally utilized for outdoor applications. If your fleet normally operates on one kind of fuel, it may be a good choice to purchase an IC unit which utilizes the same type of fuel. They could run on propane, diesel or gas. Diesel is the most economical. IC forklifts have the advantage of being less expensive to operate and easy to refuel; nevertheless, their operating cost on a per hour basis is higher. Nearly all IC models cannot be used indoors.
Other Types of Forklifts
Narrow-aisle electric forklifts are suitable for limited spaces within warehouses. They are designed to pick up loads without having to face the lift towards the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have large tires for running on hard surfaces.