About 60 percent of the lift truck market is made up by electric forklift units. These units are powered by heavy, huge lead-acid batteries that that prevents the machine from tipping over as it gives it the counterweight.
Based on ITA, electric counterbalanced lift trucks are considered Class 1 forklifts. Class 1 is the category that includes all stand-up counterbalanced trucks and other electric lift trucks. Though the first investment when you buy an electric lift truck is more than an IC or internal combustion forklift, electric forklifts are less costly to run and operate in the long-run. This is due to lesser fuel and maintenance expenses, in comparison to the IC or internal combustion models.
In North America, the majority of electric rider lift trucks are designed for transporting materials indoors. Electric rider forklifts are utilized most commonly in retail spaces, and warehousing applications. The electric units are the best option for inside applications as they emit zero toxic emissions and make less noise.
The battery of an electric forklift could run on average for 8 hours or for one shift. The recharging, reloading and removing batteries that weigh upwards of 3000 pounds could be difficult and time consuming. This burdensome job often requires a dedicated space for battery handling. Nonetheless, new fast charging technologies are being utilized to update this method and change the procedure to be able to accomplish it in a much faster way.
This fast charging technology is considered to be better charging technology. It has revolutionized electric unit forklifts and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The experts of the material handling industry, state that these new developments within the battery charging systems and battery technology can cut charging time by up to 50%!
IC or Internal Combustion Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
The IC powered forklifts will rely on kinds of fuels, such as LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, compressed natural gas or CNG and gasoline. The larger lift trucks are commonly utilized outdoors. Generally, these models are gas or diesel powered and utilizes air-filled or pneumatic tires in order to make them suitable for rough terrain and steep slopes, as opposed to cushion tires. Cushion tires are better suited for indoor applications and smooth services as they are made from solid rubber.
The most common fuel option for indoor trucks is LPG. There are more than 600,000 propane-filled lift trucks these days which are operating in DCs and in warehouses. These units provide numerous benefits. Like for instance, propane-fueled forklifts maintain 100 percent constant power during operation. What's more, these units provide faster ground speeds compared to other power sources.