Electric Forklift Vs. Diesel Forklift
A forklift can be powered either by an electric motor or by an internal combustion or IC motor. Electric forklifts are suitable for indoor use and cost less to operate. IC machinery are suitable for use outdoors and are faster to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
Electric lifts produce no exhaust, which makes them the equipment of choice for indoor applications where air quality is a concern. Electric forklifts are quiet and clean. They are 20 - 40 percent more expensive to purchase than IC lifts, but the per-hour operating cost of electric models is much less. The downside is that batteries require 16 hours to charge and cool down, so purchasing an extra set of batteries is suggested. Electric lifts are not limited for use indoors, but when used outdoors they must be utilized cautiously.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts are for outdoor applications, and their carrying capacity is more than electric forklifts. If your fleet normally runs on one kind of fuel, it might be a good choice to purchase an IC unit that utilizes the same fuel. They could run on gas, propane or diesel. Diesel is the least expensive. IC forklifts have the advantage of being cheaper to operate and easy to refuel; then again, their per-hour cost to operate is higher. Most IC models cannot be used indoors.
Other Forklifts
Narrow-aisle electric forklifts are suitable for tight spaces in warehouses. They are constructed to pick up loads without having to face the lift towards the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have big tires for running on hard surfaces.