Roughly 60 percent of the forklift market consist of electric units. These models derive their power from really heavy lead-acid batteries. Due to their massive weight, these batteries naturally provide a lot of the counterweight.
Counterbalanced trucks are classified by the ITA as Class 1 lift trucks. Class 1 also includes other electric trucks designed for general use and stand-up counterbalanced trucks. Although the first expenditure of an electric forklift is more than internal combustion lift trucks, electric units are less expensive to operate eventually. This is due to their lower fuel and maintenance costs.
The majority of the electric rider trucks made and designed in North America are made for transporting material within 4 walls. Electric forklifts have traditionally been limited to indoor use with surfaces that are clean and smooth. With the introduction of some new Class 1 items, it is becoming more and more possible to use electric rider models in certain outdoor applications.
When compared to IC lift trucks, the electric trucks are usually chosen for indoor applications because of the fact they provide no harmful emissions, can usually complete a full 8 hour shift on one battery charge and are really quiet to run. The batteries for electric units weigh approximately 3,000 pounds. The job of reloading, recharging and removing the batteries could be burdensome and time consuming. This situation often occurs at a battery charging station or an area that is particularly used for handling batteries. There are evolving fast charging technologies becoming available on the market and these new systems are changing the method of charging batteries.
The Proper Fit
A main factor associated with any kind of forklift is utilizing the correct size of model to complete the particular operation. The application itself must always dictate what product is chosen.
Customers are always looking for ways to lessen their operating expenses and find more efficient work practices that help lessen these costs, while also improving their production. Using the wrong size of lift truck could really slow things down and have a big impact on the bottom line and profitability of a company, while negatively affecting the productivity on the jobsite.
If you are unsure about what particular type of forklift you need, a respectable dealer would be able to ask you the correct questions that would enable you to make a correct selection. Lots of dealerships provide rentals of their machinery also and this is a really good way to try before you commit to such a big 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.