Around 60 percent of the lift truck market is made up by electric lift truck models. These units are powered by heavy, large lead-acid batteries which that prevents the machinery from tipping over as it gives it the counterweight.
The ITA states that electric counterbalanced trucks are considered Class 1 forklifts. The category of Class1 also encompasses stand-up counterbalanced forklifts along with other electric trucks which are designed for general application. Even if the initial investment when you buy an electric lift truck is more compared to an IC or internal combustion lift truck, electric trucks are less expensive to run and operate in the long-run. This is due to lesser maintenance and fuel expenses, in comparison to the internal combustion models.
The majority of the electric rider lift trucks shipped within North America is designed for moving material inside. They are normally utilized in retail spaces, and warehousing applications. The electric units are the right alternative for inside use since 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 recharging, reloading and removing batteries that weigh upwards of 3000 pounds can be hard and time consuming. This cumbersome task usually requires a dedicated area for battery handling. Nevertheless, new fast charging technologies are being used to change the procedure and update this method to be able to complete it in a much faster way.
Fast charging technologies are considered the best charging technologies. It has changed electric unit lift trucks and the charging time of their batteries. The material handling industry professionals, state that these new developments in the battery technology and battery charging systems could reduce charging time by up to 50%!
IC Counterbalanced Lift Trucks
Internal combustion forklifts depend on a range of different kinds of fuels, including liquid propane gas or LPG, diesel, CNG or compressed natural gas and gasoline. The bigger lift trucks are usually used outside. Generally, these units are gas or diesel powered and uses pneumatic or air-filled tires so as to make them appropriate for rough environment and steep inclines, as opposed to cushion tires. Cushion tires are better suited for indoor use and smooth services since they are made from solid rubber.
The most popular fuel option for indoor trucks is LPG. There are more than 600,000 propane-filled lift trucks today which are operating in DCs and in warehouses. These units provide numerous advantages. Like for example, forklifts which run on propane fuel maintain 100 percent constant power during operation. Also, these units offer faster ground speeds compared to other power sources.