Usually, electric forklifts are the most ideal alternative for indoor use in manufacturing and warehousing operations for 2 major reasons: First off they create zero emissions. This is a really essential factor to take into account for indoor work places. Out of the IC or internal combustion models, just the propane-fueled models are able to be utilized indoors and these models still require extremely good ventilation. Models which work on gas and diesel are not able to be used inside under any circumstances.
Fuel cost is the other main advantage of electric forklifts. These units have less cost per hour as opposed to any of the other IC or internal combustion models. Among the main disadvantages to the electric forklifts is their higher initial cost. Brand new electric forklifts can range from 20% to 40 percent more than internal combustion units that are similarly rated.
However, electric forklifts offer many benefits including quiet operation. This is a big plus for indoor operations. In addition, no need for fuel storage mean no room needs to be allotted for tanks of flammable and dangerous fuels. As electric lift trucks have less moving components as opposed to internal combustion models, and they are usually utilized within cleaner settings and inside, they tend to have a longer lifespan overall.
The battery downtime is the biggest disadvantage of an electric forklift. These models function with heavy, big, lead-acid batteries, similar to the ones found in your automobile. These batteries are very powerful and very large. Typically, batteries offer sufficient power for one regular 8-hour shift, and this means 5 or 6 hours of nonstop use.
Initially, charging a forklift battery takes approximately 8 hours. After the charging process is done, an additional 8 hours of cooling time is needed before it could be utilized. Because of this long process of additional cooling time and slow charging speed, if you need lift trucks for 2 or 3 shift operations, you should purchase extra batteries so you could always be charging the next battery. These additional batteries would add approximately $1000 to $2000 to buy.
On the market today, there are a few new fast charge electric forklifts. These fast charge batteries have changed the industry of electric forklifts. Their charging can be completed in the course of lunch and coffee breaks, enabling them to get back to work much sooner.