Around 60 percent of the forklift market is made up by electric forklift units. These models are powered by huge, heavy lead-acid batteries that give the equipment it's counterweight in order to prevent it from tipping over.
According to the ITA, electric counterbalanced forklifts are considered Class 1 lift trucks. Class 1 is the category which includes all stand-up counterbalanced trucks and other electric forklifts. Although the first investment when you purchase an electric forklift is more than an IC or internal combustion forklift, electric forklifts are less expensive to run and operate in the long-run. This is because of lesser fuel and maintenance expenses, compared to the IC models.
The majority of the electric rider forklift trucks shipped within North America is made for moving material indoors. They are normally utilized in retail spaces, and warehousing applications. The electric models are the right choice for inside use as they emit zero toxic emissions and make less noise.
The battery of an electric forklift can operate on average for 8 hours or for one shift. The recharging, reloading and removing batteries which weigh upwards of 3000 pounds could be hard and time consuming. This burdensome task often needs a dedicated area for handling the battery. Nonetheless, new fast charging technologies are now utilized to change the procedure and update this process to be able to accomplish it in a much quicker method.
This fast charging technology is considered to be enhanced charging technology. It has changed electric model forklifts and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The experts of the material handling business, state that these new changes within the battery charging systems and battery technology could reduce charging time by as much as 50%!
IC Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Internal combustion forklifts depend on a variety of different types of fuels, like LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, compressed natural gas or CNG and gasoline. The larger forklifts are commonly utilized outside. Normally, these models operate on gas or diesel and uses pneumatic or air-filled tires so as to make them suitable for rough environment and steep slopes, as opposed to cushion tires. Cushion tires are better suited for indoor use and smooth services since they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG unit is the most common fuel option for indoor trucks. Today, there are over 600,000 propane-filled lift trucks operating all around the world. These units provide a huge range of advantages. Like for example, propane-fueled forklifts maintain 100% constant power during operation. Also, these units provide faster ground speeds as opposed to other power sources.