Diesel Forklifts Vs. Electric Forklifts
A forklift can function either by internal combustion (IC) motor or by an electric motor. Electric forklifts are best for use indoors and cost much less to use. IC machinery are suitable for outdoor application and are faster to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
Electric lifts produce no exhaust, that makes them the equipment of choice for indoor applications where air quality is a concern. Electric forklifts are clean and are not noisy. They are 20% to 40% more expensive to purchase compared to IC lifts, but the per-hour operating cost of electric models is much lower. The disadvantage is that batteries need 16 hours to charge and cool down, so the purchase of an extra set of batteries is recommended. Electric lifts are not limited to indoor use, but when utilized outdoors they must be used carefully.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts have a higher carrying capacity compared to electric forklifts and are generally utilized for outdoor applications. If your fleet usually runs on one type of fuel, it might be a wise choice to buy an IC unit which utilizes the same fuel. They could function on diesel, gas or propane. Diesel is the most economical. IC forklifts have the advantage of being less expensive to operate and easy to refuel; nevertheless, their operating cost on a per hour basis is higher. Most IC models cannot be used indoors.
Other Types of Forklifts
Inside warehouses where there are tight spaces, the narrow aisle electric forklift is most suitable. They are constructed to pick up loads without having to position the lift facing the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have huge tires for running on difficult surfaces.