Electric lift truck models make up almost 60 percent of the lift truck market. These models are powered by big, heavy lead-acid batteries which give the machinery it's counterweight in order to avoid it from tipping over.
Based on ITA, electric counterbalanced lift trucks are considered Class 1 forklifts. Class 1 is the category which includes all stand-up counterbalanced trucks and other electric lift trucks. Even though the initial investment when you buy an electric forklift is more as opposed to an internal combustion or IC forklift, electric lift trucks are less costly to run and operate in the long-run. This is due to lower maintenance and fuel expenses, in comparison to the internal combustion models.
Most of the electric rider forklift trucks shipped in North America is made for moving material indoors. They are commonly used in warehousing applications, and retail spaces. The electric units are the right alternative for inside use due to their ability to emit zero toxic emissions and make less noise.
Furthermore, electric lift truck can normally work a complete 8 hour shift on one battery charge. Recharging, reloading and removing batteries, that roughly weigh about 3000 lbs. could be time consuming and hard. This cumbersome task usually requires a dedicated area for handling the battery. However, new fast charging technologies are now utilized to update this process and change the procedure to be able to accomplish it in a much faster way.
Fast charging technologies are considered the best charging technologies. It has revolutionized electric model forklifts and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The professionals of the material handling industry, state that these new developments within the battery charging systems and battery technology can cut charging time by as much as 50%!
Internal Combustion or IC Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
The internal combustion powered lift truck will rely on types of fuels, such as LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, compressed natural gas or CNG and gasoline. The bigger lift trucks are usually used outdoors. Normally, these units are diesel or gas powered and utilizes air-filled or pneumatic tires so as to make them appropriate for steep inclines and rough terrain, compared to cushion tires. Cushion tires are more suitable for smooth services and indoor applications because they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG model is the most common fuel option for indoor trucks. These days, there are more than 600,000 propane-filled forklifts operating around the world. These units offer various benefits. For instance, propane-fueled lift trucks maintain 100% constant power during operation. Additionally, these units offer faster ground speeds than other power sources.