Diesel Forklifts Versus Electric Forklifts
A forklift could be powered either by an electric motor or by an internal combustion or IC motor. Electric forklifts are suitable for indoor application and cost less to operate. IC machines are suitable for use outdoors and are faster to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
Electric lifts produce no exhaust, which makes them the machinery of choice for indoor use where air quality is a problem. Electric forklifts are not noisy and clean. They are 20% to 40% more expensive to buy than IC lifts, but the operating cost of electric models on a per hour basis is a lot less. The downside is that batteries need 16 hours to charge and cool down, so buying an extra set of batteries is recommended. Electric lifts are not limited to indoor use, but when utilized outdoors they should be used carefully.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts have a higher carrying capacity compared to electric forklifts and are generally used for outdoor applications. If your fleet generally operates on one kind of fuel, it might be a good choice to buy an IC unit that utilizes the same fuel. They can function on propane, diesel or gas. Diesel is the most economical. IC forklifts have the advantage of being easy to refuel and less expensive to operate; nonetheless, their per-hour cost to operate is higher. The majority of IC models cannot be utilized indoors.
Other Types of Forklifts
In warehouses where there are limited spaces, the narrow aisle electric forklift is most suitable. They are constructed to pick up loads without having to position the lift facing the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have big tires for running on difficult surfaces.