Roughly 60 percent of the lift truck market is made up from electric units. These models derive their power from extremely heavy lead-acid batteries. Because of their massive weight, these batteries naturally give a lot of the counterweight.
Counterbalanced trucks are classified by the ITA as Class 1 forklifts. Class 1 also includes other electric trucks designed for general use and stand-up counterbalanced trucks. Although the first expenditure of an electric lift truck is more than internal combustion forklifts, electric units are cheaper to operate in the long run. This is because of their lower fuel and maintenance costs.
The majority of electric lift truck units which have been manufactured and engineered within North America, are utilized mainly in indoor settings. Electric lift trucks have traditionally been limited to indoor use with surfaces that are smooth and clean. With the introduction of several new Class 1 items, it is becoming more and more possible to utilize electric rider models in certain outdoor operations.
Due to the fact that electric forklift models produce no harmful emissions, they are normally chosen for indoor operations when compared to Internal Combustion forklifts. Electric models can complete a full 8 hour shift on one battery charge and are very quiet when in use. The batteries for electric units weigh roughly 3,000 pounds. The job of reloading, recharging and removing the batteries could be time consuming and cumbersome. This situation usually occurs at a battery charging zone or an area which is specifically used for handling batteries. There are evolving fast charging technologies that would be available on the market and these new systems are changing the process of charging batteries.
The Proper Fit
Using the right size of forklift to complete the particular application is key to any business application. The application itself must always dictate what product is chosen.
Clients are always looking for methods to reduce their operating costs and find more effective work practices which help reduce these costs, while also improving their productivity. Utilizing the wrong size of forklift can really slow things down and have a big effect on the bottom line and success of a business, while negatively affecting the productivity on the jobsite.
If you are unsure about what particular kind of forklift you require, a reliable dealer would be able to ask you the right questions that would enable you to make a correct choice. Many dealerships offer rentals of their machines too and this is a great way to try before you commit to such a big purchase. It is also a nice way to try various models out to see which ones bring you the best production and which ones you and your drivers are the most comfortable with.