Electric forklift models make up almost sixty percent of the entire material handling market. Powering these models are extremely heavy lead-acid batteries. Due to their massive weight, these batteries naturally give a lot of the counterweight.
The counterbalanced version of lift trucks have been classed as Class 1 forklifts by the ITA. Class 1 normally refers to electric lift trucks designed for general use and stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks. Although the first cost of an electric lift truck is more than internal combustion lift trucks, electric models are less expensive to utilize eventually. This is due to their lesser maintenance and fuel costs.
Most of the electric rider trucks made and designed in North America are made for moving material within 4 walls. Electric lift trucks have usually been limited to indoor use with smooth and clean surfaces. With the introduction of some new Class 1 items, it is becoming more and more possible to utilize electric rider units in some outdoor operations.
When compared to Internal Combustion forklifts, the electric trucks are typically chosen for indoor use because of the fact they produce no harmful emissions, could normally complete a full 8 hour shift on one battery charge and are really quiet to operate. Electric model batteries weigh approximately 3,000 pounds. The job of reloading, recharging and removing the batteries could be time consuming and cumbersome. This situation often occurs at a battery charging post or an area which is specially used for handling batteries. There are evolving fast charging technologies that would be 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 forklift is using the correct size of model to complete the specific application. The application itself should always dictate which product is selected.
Customers are always looking for means to lessen their operating costs and find more effective work practices that help lower these expenses, while also improving their productivity. Using the wrong size of forklift could greatly slow things down and have a huge effect on the bottom line and productivity of a business, while negatively affecting the productivity on the jobsite.
If you are unsure about what particular kind of lift truck you require, a respectable dealer would be able to ask you the right questions that would enable you to make a correct choice. Many dealerships provide rentals of their machines also and this is a good way to try before you commit to such a large purchase. It is also a nice way to try various units out to see which ones you and your operators are the most comfortable with and which ones bring you the best production.