For businesses that raise and transport heavy supplies and goods on a regular basis, there is probably no more valuable or effective equipment as the lift truck. Forklifts are a common site in dockyards, manufacturing plants, distribution depots, lumber yards, warehouses and shipping and receiving, agriculture and other work places that has to deal with loads ranging from 3000 to 30,000 plus lbs.
Fork trucks are commonly utilized to keep these operations working efficiently and smoothly. Though lift trucks are a huge investment, the amount of man hours they could save and the injuries they reduce from heavy lifting can make the purchase pay for itself in little time.
On the market today are a lot of different units from a lot of different manufacturers. These various models are designed specially to deal with some particular jobs. In order to make certain that you don't purchase more than you require or the wrong kind of machine, it is really vital to assess the needs of your business and compare to the various models offered on the market. Speaking with a certified forklift distributor is a very good idea and so is doing your own research online.
When looking at lift trucks by the kind of fuel, the following kinds are available:
Electric: Electric forklifts use large, heavy, rechargeable batteries that are lead-acid based. These batteries can run for roughly 5 or 6 hours straight. Electric models are ideal for indoor applications because of their lack of emissions. They are a common choice for warehouses and retail spaces as they provide a fairly low cost per hour of operation and put zero emissions into the air where people are working.
Internal Combustion: The IC engine operates on a range of different fuels such as CNG or compressed natural gas, others take diesel, liquid propane or LP or gasoline. When compared to electric forklifts, the internal combustion or IC units are easier to refuel, accelerate faster and can carry heavier loads. These units are usually more expensive to use than their electric counterparts.
Fuel Cell: The latest in lift truck technology is the Hydrogen fuel cell. These units provide the fast refueling capability of an internal combustion unit but offer the quietness and zero emissions of electric forklifts.
There are a range of outdoor Nissan units that offer synchronized steering. This feature automatically returns the wheel knob to the original position after completing a turn. Equipped with solid pneumatic tires to offer a comfortable ride both indoors and outdoors, these tires are more resistant to both wear and damage.