Basic Kinds of Fuels Used for Forklifts
Forklifts, also known as powered lift trucks, are utilized to do numerous jobs in distribution, industrial and construction environments. These heavy-duty machinery are intended to be dependable and tough so they could move heavy objects in all different types of environments and conditions. Forklifts are powered by numerous kinds of fuels and hence can adapt to many different work settings.
Electricity
Generating no emissions, the electric forklifts are very quiet and reliable. These units could run on industrial-strength large batteries which are made to be able to be successfully recharged about 1500 times in their useful lifespan. As electric forklifts produce no exhaust fumes, it is oftentimes the machinery of choice and necessity in places which have limited ventilation. These forklifts need a charging station somewhere on the premises that is equipped with an eyewash station and emergency acid spill kit because of the batteries. For safety reasons, the charging section has to be well ventilated.
Propane
The modern forklift usually utilizes liquid propane. Propane offers various benefits over electric and diesel models. For example, propane is usually cheaper than electricity. While the battery is being recharged, there is no need to remove the forklift from service.
In addition, compared to diesel powered models, propane units offer a much cleaner operation. In most instances, a propane forklift could be refueled by just changing out the propane tank that is empty with a new one which is full. Typically, an off-site supplier would re-fill the tanks. This ensures an easy, fast and safe re-fueling process.
Diesel and Gasoline
Gasoline and diesel forklifts could require more maintenance and produce a smelly exhaust. They have fairly high fuel costs too. Since they have a much longer and useful lifespan, they are quite dependable compared to propane or electric models. Re-fueling needs a fuel supply on site that conforms to strict safety and health codes. Gas and diesel models are mainly used in outdoor applications on rough terrain, such as in lumber yard environments or on construction sites.