Approximately 60 percent of the forklift market is made up by electric forklift units. These models are powered by huge, heavy lead-acid batteries that which prevents the machinery from tipping over since it acts as the counterweight.
According to the ITA, electric counterbalanced forklifts are considered Class 1 lift trucks. Class 1 is the category that covers all stand-up counterbalanced trucks and other electric lift trucks. Even if the initial investment when buying an electric lift truck is more than an IC or internal combustion forklift, electric lift trucks are less costly to operate and run in the long-run. This is due to lesser maintenance and fuel expenses, compared to the IC models.
In North America, most electric rider lift trucks are made for transporting materials indoors. Electric rider forklifts are utilized most frequently in retail spaces, and warehousing applications. The electric units are the best alternative for inside applications because they make less noise and emit zero toxic emissions.
The battery of an electric forklift can operate on average for 8 hours or for a single shift. The reloading, recharging and removing batteries which weigh upwards of 3000 pounds could be hard and time consuming. This burdensome job often needs a dedicated area for handling the battery. However, new fast charging technologies are being utilized to update this method 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 unit lift trucks and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The material handling industry professionals, state that these new changes in the battery technology and battery charging systems could lessen charging time by up to 50 percent!
IC Counterbalanced Forklifts
Internal combustion lift trucks rely on a range of different kinds of fuels, such as LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, compressed natural gas or CNG and gasoline. The larger forklifts are commonly utilized outside. Usually, these models are diesel or gas powered and uses pneumatic or air-filled tires so as to make them appropriate for rough environment and steep slopes, as opposed to cushion tires. Cushion tires are better suited for indoor use and smooth services because they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG model is the most popular fuel option for indoor trucks. These days, there are more than 600,000 propane-filled forklifts operating all around the globe. These models provide various benefits. Like for example, forklifts that operate on propane fuel maintain 100% constant power during operation. Furthermore, these models provide faster ground speeds than other power sources.