Roughly sixty percent of the forklift market consist of electric units. These models derive their power from really heavy lead-acid batteries. Due to their massive weight, these batteries naturally supply a lot of the counterweight.
The counterbalanced version of lift trucks have been classed as Class 1 lift trucks by the ITA. Class 1 normally refers to electric forklifts made for general use and stand-up counterbalanced forklifts. Although the first expenditure of an electric forklift is more than internal combustion forklifts, electric models are cheaper to utilize eventually. This is because of their lower maintenance and fuel expenses.
The majority of electric lift truck models that have been made and designed within North America, are utilized mostly in indoor settings. Electric forklifts have traditionally been limited to indoor applications with surfaces that are clean and smooth. With the introduction of some new Class 1 items, it is becoming increasingly possible to utilize electric rider units in some outdoor applications.
Because of the fact that electric forklift units provide no harmful emissions, they are normally selected for indoor applications when compared to IC lift trucks. Electric units can complete a full 8 hour shift on one battery charge and are really quiet when in operation. The batteries for electric units weigh approximately 3,000 pounds. The job of reloading, recharging and removing the batteries can be cumbersome and time consuming. This situation often occurs at a battery charging station or an area which is particularly utilized for handling batteries. There are developing fast charging technologies becoming available on the market and these new systems are changing the battery charging process.
The Proper Fit
Using the right size of lift truck to complete the specific operation is vital to any business operation. The application itself must always dictate which product is selected.
Clients are striving to find reduce operating expenses and more efficient methods to reduce operating expenses, all the while increasing their overall production, especially as the economy becomes more complex and competitive. Using the wrong size of lift truck can greatly slow things down and have a big impact on the bottom line and productivity of a business, while negatively affecting the productivity on the jobsite.
If you are unsure about what specific type of lift truck you require, a reliable dealer would be able to ask you the right questions which will enable you to make a correct selection. Lots of dealerships offer rentals of their equipment also and this is a good way to try before you commit to such a large purchase. It is also a good way to try different models out to see which ones bring you the best productivity and which ones you and your operators are the most comfortable with.