Propane Forklifts
One inconvenience of propane tanks is to have to change, however there is little risk to running out of fuel on a propane lift truck. These models tend to be less expensive to use than the diesel and electric unit forklift. The debate to whether or not the propane emissions are cleaner than diesel emissions continues within the industry.
The propane forklift performs better than most electric units on the market these days on jobs which require constant duty drive line torque and high applications. There are several electric units that are supposed to handle equally or better. Depending on the particular situation, propane lifts might or might not be suitable for handling food and edible goods. Provided that WorkSafeBC criteria are met, propane lift trucks are suitable for the majority of indoor applications.
The Disadvantages of LPG Propane Forklifts
The LPG's major disadvantages when compare to the diesel forklift includes the fact that they are not as effective when performing jobs which need high and or constant duty drive line torque. These models have a liability exposure, due to the possibility of a fuel system leak whilst the truck is situated indoors. Additionally, operators need to be trained on the safe use of propane fuel. The rearward visibility off of the back end of the counterweight is limited. This is due to the propane tank's location.
The fuel cost is higher with propane units when compared to the diesel model. Due to the frequency at which the propane tanks are changed, there are possible injuries that could occur. Unless a site has a bulk fill station, propane may require to be changed every six hours of use. Propane forklifts can be more difficult to start and run smoothly when they are operating in cold temperatures. In remote locations, propane fuel is not always available at once. In the next few decades, the cost of fossil fuels is projected to climb dramatically. Take into account and plan for overall repair maintenance costs, as well as the entire cost of ownership to be the highest of the 3 options.
There is a real possibility that the LPG forklift units will be ideal for you, but will ultimately depend on what your requirements are. It is best to take into consideration your particular loads and lifting needs as well as the kinds of environments you will be operating in order to be sure that you invest in the right model that would meet all your requirements.