For businesses that lift and move heavy materials and goods on a regular basis, there is probably no more effective or valuable equipment as the forklift. Lift trucks are a common site in manufacturing plants, dockyards, lumber yards, distribution depots, warehouses and shipping and receiving, agriculture and other work places that need to handle loads ranging from 3000 to 30,000 plus pounds.
The lift truck is used most frequently to keep the flow of operations working as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Though lift trucks are a big investment, the amount of man hours they could save and the injuries they reduce from heavy lifting could make the purchase pay for itself eventually.
Available on the market nowadays are numerous of different units from a lot of different manufacturers. These different models are made specifically to handle certain particular tasks. So as to make certain that you don't buy more than you require or the wrong kind of machinery, it is really essential to assess your company's needs and compare to the various units on the market. Talking to a certified forklift distributor is a great idea and so is doing your own research online.
When looking at lift trucks by the type of fuel, the following types are available:
Electric: Electric forklifts use large, heavy, rechargeable batteries that are lead-acid based. These batteries could run for approximately 5 or 6 hours straight. Electric models are ideal for indoor applications because of their lack of emissions. They are a popular choice for retail spaces and warehouses since they provide a relatively low cost per hour of operation and put zero emissions into the air where people are working.
Internal Combustion: IC lift trucks work with a range of fuels. Some units take CNG or compressed natural gas, others take diesel, LP or liquid propane or gasoline. In comparison to electric forklifts, the internal combustion or IC units accelerate faster, are easier to refuel and could carry heavier loads. These units are typically more pricey to use than their electric counterparts.
Fuel Cell: The newest in forklift technology is the Hydrogen fuel cell. These units offer the zero emissions and quietness of electric lift trucks but provide the fast refueling capability of an internal combustion unit.
There are a variety of outdoor Nissan units that provide synchronized steering. This feature returns the wheel knob to the original position automatically following the completion of a turn. Outfitted with solid pneumatic tires to provide a comfortable ride both outdoors and indoors, these tires are more resistant to both damage and wear.