Approximately 60 percent of the forklift market is made up by electric forklift models. These units are powered by heavy, large lead-acid batteries which give the machinery it's counterweight so as to avoid it from tipping over.
According to the ITA, electric counterbalanced lift trucks are considered Class 1 lift trucks. Class 1 is the category that includes all stand-up counterbalanced trucks and other electric lift trucks. Though the initial investment when buying an electric lift truck is more compared to an IC or internal combustion forklift, electric lift trucks are much less costly to operate and run in the long-run. This is because of lower maintenance and fuel costs, in comparison to the IC units.
Most of the electric rider forklift trucks shipped within North America is made for moving material indoors. They are commonly used in retail spaces, and warehousing applications. The electric models are the right alternative for inside use as they make less noise and emit zero toxic emissions.
The battery of an electric forklift could run on average for 8 hours or for a single shift. The recharging, reloading and removing batteries which weigh upwards of 3000 pounds can be hard and time consuming. This burdensome task usually needs a dedicated space for battery handling. However, new fast charging technologies are being used to update this process and change the procedure to be able to complete it in a much quicker method.
This fast charging technology is considered to be enhanced charging technology. It has revolutionized electric unit lift trucks and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The experts of the material handling business, state that these new changes in the battery charging systems and battery technology can cut charging time by up to 50 percent!
Internal Combustion Counterbalanced Forklifts
The IC powered forklifts would rely on kinds of fuels, such as LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, CNG or compressed natural gas and gasoline. The bigger forklifts are commonly used outdoors. Generally, these models operate on diesel or gas and uses pneumatic or air-filled tires so as to make them suitable for rough terrain and steep slopes, as opposed to cushion tires. Cushion tires are more suitable for indoor applications and smooth services as they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG model is the most common fuel option for indoor trucks. Today, there are over 600,000 propane-filled forklifts operating all around the globe. These models offer various benefits. For instance, forklifts that operate on propane fuel maintain 100 percent constant power during operation. As well, these models provide faster ground speeds than other power sources.