Around sixty percent of the forklift market is made up from electric models. These units derive their power from very heavy lead-acid batteries. Due to their immense weight, these batteries naturally supply much of the counterweight.
Counterbalanced trucks are classified by the ITA as Class 1 forklifts. Class 1 also includes other electric trucks made for general applications and stand-up counterbalanced trucks. Though the initial expenditure of an electric forklift is more than IC lift trucks, electric models are less expensive to operate eventually. This is because of their lesser maintenance and fuel expenses.
Most electric lift truck models that have been made and designed in North America, are utilized mainly in indoor environments. Electric lift trucks have traditionally been limited to indoor use with surfaces that are clean and smooth. With the introduction of some new Class 1 items, it is becoming more and more possible to utilize electric rider units in certain outdoor operations.
Due to the fact that electric forklift units produce no harmful emissions, they are normally selected for indoor operations when compared to IC lift trucks. Electric models can complete a full 8 hour shift on one battery charge and are really quiet when in operation. Electric unit batteries weigh roughly 3,000 pounds. The job of recharging, reloading and removing the batteries could be burdensome and time consuming. This situation often occurs at a battery charging zone or an area that is specially utilized for handling batteries. There are evolving fast charging technologies that will be available on the market and these new systems are changing the battery charging process.
The Proper Fit
Using the correct size of forklift to complete the specific operation is key to any business application. The application itself should always dictate which product is chosen.
Customers are striving to find lower operating expenses and more effective means to lower operating expenses, all the while increasing their overall production, particularly since the economy becomes more competitive and complex. Using the wrong size of forklift could really slow things down and have a huge effect on the bottom line and success of a company, while negatively affecting the productivity on the jobsite.
If you are uncertain about what particular kind of lift truck you need, a reputable dealer will be able to ask you the right questions that will enable you to make a correct choice. A lot of dealerships offer rentals of their machinery too and this is a great way to try before you commit to such a huge purchase. It is also a nice way to try various models out to see which ones you and your operators are the most comfortable with and which ones bring you the best productivity.