There are actually 2 types of lift trucks, based mostly on whether or not they run on electricity or gas:
IC or Internal Combustion Forklifts: The Internal Combustion forklift will run on fuels such as liquid propane, gas, diesel or compressed natural gas or CNG. Gas powered units are great for outdoor applications as they release pollutants and gases which are harmful to workers and pedestrians. Models which run on gasoline are also great for use in bad weather and in the rain. These models could carry weights roughly 15,000 to 35,000 pounds. Because of the fuel expenses and maintenance, models which run on gas are more costly to use compared to the electric units, however, they cost much less up front compared to the electric units. Units which run on liquid propane are the right option to be utilized inside.
Electric Forklifts: Electric forklifts take batteries that require regular charging. As these models do not burn any fuel, there are no emissions polluting the air with these machinery. They are the best option for warehouses and indoor use. In addition, lift trucks which run on electricity do not require any fuel storage units and they are a lot quieter to run compared to other units. Among the disadvantages of electric powered units is that they are unable to carry cargo more than 15,000 pounds and thus, have a slower acceleration compared to the units that utilize gasoline.
Forklifts are specifically made to easily and quickly move heavy cargo with ease. Like the case with nearly all types of vehicle, unfortunately, lift truck accidents do occur on a regular basis. There are some safety rules that have to be followed to be able to keep everyone safe. The most important problem is recruiting a qualified operator, who would be able to show you a valid lift truck license.
On the market these days, there are many different kinds of lift trucks available. Deciding which one is best for your particular needs would be based on the type of environment your machinery will need to operate in, for instance, indoors or outdoors or both and what kinds of loads that you need to transport. Once you know your particular needs, it will be really easy to match up to the best kind of lift truck. When you know your needs precisely you could make an accurate choice.
Leasing is another great way to check out various models if you want to check out different features and see what kind of options are available. This is a cheaper way to determine if the machine you have chosen can keep up with you on the job location.