Roughly sixty percent of the forklift market is made up from electric models. These units derive their power from extremely heavy lead-acid batteries. Because of their massive weight, these batteries naturally offer much of the counterweight.
The counterbalanced type of forklifts have been classed as Class 1 lift trucks by the ITA. Class 1 typically refers to electric lift trucks made for general use and stand-up counterbalanced forklifts. Although the first expense of an electric forklift is more than IC lift trucks, electric units are less expensive to use in the long run. This is because of their lower fuel and maintenance costs.
Most of the electric rider trucks made and designed in North America are made for moving material within 4 walls. Electric forklifts have traditionally been limited to indoor use with surfaces that are clean and smooth. With the introduction of several new Class 1 items, it is becoming increasingly possible to use electric rider units in certain outdoor applications.
Due to the fact that electric lift truck models provide no harmful emissions, they are typically selected for indoor operations when compared to IC forklifts. Electric units can complete a full 8 hour shift on one battery charge and are really quiet when in use. Electric unit batteries weigh roughly 3,000 pounds. The job of recharging, reloading and removing the batteries can be time consuming and cumbersome. This situation normally occurs at a battery charging zone or an area that is particularly used for handling batteries. There are developing fast charging technologies becoming available on the market and these new systems are changing the battery charging method.
The Proper Fit
Using the correct size of lift truck to do the specific operation is vital to any business operation. The application itself should always dictate which product is selected.
Customers are striving to find reduce operating costs and more efficient methods to lower operating costs, all the while increasing their overall productivity, especially since the economy becomes more complex and competitive. Using the wrong size of forklift could really slow things down and have a big effect on the bottom line and profitability of a company, while negatively affecting the production 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 which would enable you to make a proper choice. Numerous dealerships offer rentals of their machines also and this is a very great way to try before you commit to such a huge purchase. It is also a nice way to try various units out to see which ones bring you the best production and which ones you and your operators are the most comfortable with.