Electric Forklift versus Diesel Forklift
Forklifts could function one of two ways, either by internal combustion (IC) motor or by electric motor. Electric forklifts are suitable for use indoors and cost less to use. IC machinery are suitable for outdoor application and are faster to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
Electric lifts produce no exhaust, which makes them the equipment of choice for indoor use where the quality of air is a problem. Electric forklifts are not noisy and clean. They are 20% to 40% more expensive to purchase compared to IC lifts, but the operating cost of electric models on a per hour basis is a lot lower. The disadvantage is that batteries require 16 hours to charge and cool down, so buying an extra set of batteries is recommended. Electric lifts are not limited to indoor application, but when utilized outdoors they should be utilized carefully.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts are for outdoor use, and their carrying capacity is higher than electric forklifts. If your fleet normally operates on one kind of fuel, it might be a wise choice to buy an IC unit that uses the same type of fuel. They could function on gas, propane or diesel. Diesel is the most economical. IC forklifts have the advantage of being less expensive to operate and easy to refuel; nevertheless, their operating cost on a per hour basis is higher. The majority of IC models cannot be utilized indoors.
Other Types of Forklifts
Narrow-aisle electric forklifts are recommended for tight spaces within warehouses. They are designed to pick up loads without having to position the lift facing the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have big tires for running on hard surfaces.