The electric forklift is normally the most ideal option for indoor applications within warehouses and manufacturing settings. This is mostly because of 2 reasons with the first being that they produce zero emissions. This is a really essential factor to take into consideration for indoor work places. Among the Internal Combustion or IC models, only the propane-fueled models can be utilized inside and these models still require really good ventilation. Units that run on diesel and gas can not be used inside under any circumstances.
Fuel cost is the other primary benefit of electric lift trucks. These units have lower cost per hour compared to any of the other internal combustion or IC units. One of the main drawbacks to the electric forklifts is their higher initial cost. New electric forklifts can vary from 20% to 40% more compared to internal combustion units that are rated the same.
Electric forklifts on the other hand, provide numerous advantages such as quiet operations, which can be a big plus for indoor settings. In addition, no need for fuel storage mean no room has to be allotted for tanks of flammable and dangerous fuels. Because electric forklifts have less moving components as opposed to internal combustion models, and they are usually used inside and within cleaner settings, they tend to have a longer overall lifespan.
The battery downtime is the biggest downside of an electric forklift. These models run with heavy, big, lead-acid batteries, like those found in your car. These batteries are extremely strong and extremely big. Typically, batteries provide an adequate amount of power for one standard 8-hour shift, and this translates into 5 or 6 hours of continuous utilization.
Initially, charging a lift truck battery takes approximately 8 hours. After the charging process is completed, an extra 8 hours of cooling time is needed before it could be used. Due to this long process of slow charging speed and additional cooling time, if you require forklifts for 2 or 3 shift operations, you should buy additional batteries so you can be charging the nest battery always. These extra batteries would add approximately $1000 to $2000 to buy.
On the market these days, there are a few new fast charge electric lift trucks. These fast charge batteries have revolutionized the industry of electric lift trucks. Their charging could be completed during the course of lunch and coffee breaks, enabling them to get back to work much sooner.