About 60 percent of the forklift market is made up by electric lift truck models. These models are powered by heavy, huge lead-acid batteries which which prevents the machinery from tipping over because it acts as the counterweight.
The ITA states that electric counterbalanced lift trucks are considered Class 1 forklifts. The category of Class1 also encompasses stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks as well as other electric trucks that are made for general use. Although the initial investment when you purchase an electric lift truck is more than an internal combustion or IC forklift, electric trucks are a lot less costly to run and operate in the long-run. This is due to lesser fuel and maintenance expenses, compared to the internal combustion or IC models.
Within North America, most electric rider lift trucks are made for moving materials indoors. Electric rider forklifts are used most frequently in retail spaces, and warehousing applications. The electric models are the best alternative for inside use since they emit zero toxic emissions and make less noise.
The battery of an electric forklift could operate on average for 8 hours or for one shift. The recharging, reloading and removing batteries which weigh upwards of 3000 pounds can be difficult and time consuming. This cumbersome task normally requires a dedicated space for handling the battery. Nevertheless, new fast charging technologies are now utilized to change the procedure and update this process to be able to complete it in a a lot faster way.
Fast charging technologies are considered the best charging technologies. It has changed electric model lift trucks and the charging time of their batteries. The material handling industry experts, state that these new changes within the battery technology and battery charging systems can lessen charging time by up to 50 percent!
Internal Combustion Counterbalanced Forklifts
Internal combustion lift trucks depend on a range of different kinds of fuels, including liquid propane gas or LPG, diesel, CNG or compressed natural gas and gasoline. The larger forklifts are normally used outdoors. Usually, these units are gas or diesel powered and uses pneumatic or air-filled tires in order to make them suitable for rough environment and steep inclines, compared to cushion tires. Cushion tires are more suitable for smooth services and indoor applications as they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG model is the most popular fuel option for indoor trucks. Nowadays, there are more than 600,000 propane-filled lift trucks operating around the world. These models provide a wide range of advantages. For example, propane-fueled forklifts maintain 100 percent constant power during operation. In addition, these units provide faster ground speeds than other power sources.