Electric lift truck units make up nearly 60 percent of the forklift market. These units derive their power from huge, heavy lead-acid batteries which that prevents the machine from tipping over since it gives it the counterweight.
Based on 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 you purchase an electric forklift is more than an internal combustion or IC forklift, electric forklifts are a lot less costly to operate and run in the long-run. This is because of lesser maintenance and fuel expenses, in comparison to the internal combustion models.
The majority of the electric rider lift trucks shipped in North America is made for moving material inside. They are commonly used in retail spaces, and warehousing applications. The electric models are the best alternative for inside use because they emit zero toxic emissions and make less noise.
The battery of an electric forklift could operate on average for 8 hours or for one shift. The reloading, recharging and removing batteries which weigh upwards of 3000 pounds could be difficult and time consuming. This burdensome job normally needs a dedicated area for battery handling. Nevertheless, new fast charging technologies are being utilized to update this process and change the procedure to be able to complete it in a much faster way.
This fast charging technology is considered to be enhanced charging technology. It has revolutionized electric unit forklifts and the time it takes to charge their batteries. The professionals of the material handling business, state that these new developments within the battery technology and battery charging systems could reduce charging time by up to 50%!
Internal Combustion Counterbalanced Forklifts
IC lift trucks rely on a variety of different types of fuels, including LPG or liquid propane gas, diesel, CNG or compressed natural gas and gasoline. The bigger forklifts are commonly used outside. Normally, these units operate on gas or diesel and utilizes pneumatic or air-filled tires in order to make them appropriate for steep inclines and rough terrain, compared to cushion tires. Cushion tires are more suitable for smooth services and indoor use as they are made from solid rubber.
The LPG unit is the most common fuel option for indoor trucks. Today, there are more than 600,000 propane-filled lift trucks working around the world. These models offer numerous benefits. For example, forklifts which operate on propane fuel maintain 100% constant power during operation. What's more, these models provide faster ground speeds than other power sources.