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