Roughly 60 percent of the forklift market is made up from electric units. These models derive their power from very heavy lead-acid batteries. Due to their massive weight, these batteries naturally provide much of the counterweight.
The counterbalanced type of forklifts have been classed as Class 1 lift trucks by the ITA. Class 1 normally refers to electric forklifts made for general applications and stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks. Although the initial cost of an electric lift truck is more than internal combustion forklifts, electric units are cheaper to operate eventually. This is because of their lower fuel and maintenance expenses.
Most of the electric rider trucks manufactured and engineered in North America are made for moving material within 4 walls. Electric lift trucks have traditionally been limited to indoor applications with clean and smooth surfaces. With the introduction of some new Class 1 items, it is becoming increasingly possible to use electric rider models in certain outdoor applications.
When compared to IC lift trucks, the electric trucks are normally selected for indoor applications due to the fact they produce no harmful emissions, could often complete a full 8 hour shift on one battery charge and are very quiet to run. The batteries for electric units weigh approximately 3,000 pounds. The job of recharging, reloading and removing the batteries can be time consuming and cumbersome. This situation normally occurs at a battery charging station or an area that is particularly utilized for handling batteries. There are evolving fast charging technologies that would be available on the market and these new systems are changing the process of charging batteries.
The Proper Fit
A main factor connected with any kind of lift truck is utilizing the right size of model to complete the particular operation. The application itself should always dictate what product is chosen.
Customers are always looking for ways to reduce their operating costs and find more efficient work practices which help lower these costs, while also improving their production. Utilizing the wrong size of lift truck could greatly slow things down and have a huge impact on the bottom line and productivity of a company, while negatively affecting the productivity on the jobsite.
If you are unsure about what particular kind of lift truck you need, a respectable dealer would be able to ask you the right questions which will allow you to make a correct selection. Numerous dealerships provide rentals of their machinery too and this is a very 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 you and your drivers are the most comfortable with and which ones bring you the best production.