Electric forklift units make up nearly sixty percent of the entire material handling market. Powering these units are very heavy lead-acid batteries. Due to their immense weight, these batteries naturally give much of the counterweight.
The counterbalanced type of lift trucks have been classed as Class 1 forklifts by the ITA. Class 1 usually refers to electric lift trucks designed for general use and stand-up counterbalanced forklifts. Though the initial expenditure of an electric forklift is more than internal combustion lift trucks, electric models are less expensive to use in the long run. This is because of their lesser maintenance and fuel expenses.
Most of the electric rider trucks made and designed within North America are made for transporting material within 4 walls. Electric forklifts have traditionally been limited to indoor applications with smooth and clean surfaces. With the launch of several new Class 1 items, it is becoming more and more possible to use electric rider units in some outdoor applications.
Because of the fact that electric forklift models provide no harmful emissions, they are usually selected for indoor applications when compared to Internal Combustion forklifts. Electric models can complete a full 8 hour shift on one battery charge and are really quiet when in operation. The batteries for electric models weigh about 3,000 pounds. The job of reloading, recharging and removing the batteries could be time consuming and burdensome. This situation often occurs at a battery charging station or an area that is specially 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 Right Fit
A main factor associated with any type of lift truck is using the correct size of unit to complete the specific operation. The application itself should always dictate which product is selected.
Clients are striving to find reduce operating expenses and more efficient methods to reduce operating costs, all the while increasing their overall productivity, especially as the economy becomes more complex and competitive. Using the wrong size of forklift can greatly slow things down and have a huge effect on the bottom line and productivity of a business, while negatively affecting the production on the jobsite.
A good lift truck dealer would be able to assist if you are uncertain about the particular kind of forklift you require. They would ask you right questions which would enable you to make a correct selection. Lots of dealerships offer rentals of their machines too and this is a great way to try before you commit to such a big purchase. It is also a nice way to try different models out to see which ones you and your operators are the most comfortable with and which ones bring you the best productivity.