Electric forklift models make up nearly 60 percent of the forklift market. These units get their power from heavy, huge lead-acid batteries that give the equipment it's counterweight so as to prevent it from tipping over.
According to the ITA, electric counterbalanced forklifts are considered Class 1 forklifts. Class 1 is the category which includes all stand-up counterbalanced trucks and other electric lift trucks. Though the initial investment when purchasing an electric lift truck is more compared to an IC or internal combustion lift truck, electric forklifts are less expensive to operate and run in the long-run. This is due to lower fuel and maintenance expenses, in comparison to the internal combustion or IC units.
Most of the electric rider lift trucks shipped within North America is designed for moving material inside. They are normally utilized in warehousing applications, and retail spaces. The electric models are the best choice for inside use since they make less noise and emit zero toxic emissions.
The battery of an electric lift truck can run 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 job often requires a dedicated area for battery handling. Then again, new fast charging technologies are now used to update this method and change the procedure to be able to accomplish it in a a lot quicker way.
This fast charging technology is considered to be enhanced charging technology. It has changed electric unit forklifts and the charging time of their batteries. The professionals of the material handling industry, state that these new changes in the battery technology and battery charging systems could lessen charging time by up to 50%!
IC or Internal Combustion Counterbalanced Forklifts
The IC powered lift truck will depend on types of fuels, like LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, compressed natural gas or CNG and gasoline. The larger lift trucks are commonly used outside. Usually, 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, compared to cushion tires. Cushion tires are more suitable for indoor use and smooth services because they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG model is the most common fuel choice for indoor trucks. These days, there are over 600,000 propane-filled lift trucks working around the globe. These units offer numerous benefits. Like for instance, propane-fueled forklifts maintain 100% constant power during operation. What's more, these models provide faster ground speeds as opposed to other power sources.