Electric lift truck units make up almost 60% of the entire material handling market. Powering these units are really heavy lead-acid batteries. Because of their massive weight, these batteries naturally offer 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. Even if the first expenditure of an electric forklift is more than internal combustion lift trucks, electric models are less expensive to operate in the long run. This is due to their lower maintenance and fuel costs.
Most of the electric rider trucks made and engineered within North America are made for transporting material within 4 walls. Electric lift trucks have traditionally been limited to indoor applications with clean and smooth surfaces. With the launch of some new Class 1 items, it is becoming more and more possible to use electric rider models in certain outdoor applications.
Because of the fact that electric forklift units produce no harmful emissions, they are typically selected for indoor operations when compared to Internal Combustion forklifts. Electric units can complete a full 8 hour shift on one battery charge and are very quiet when in use. The batteries for electric units weigh about 3,000 pounds. The job of recharging, reloading and removing the batteries can be cumbersome and time consuming. This situation normally happens at a battery charging station or an area which is specifically designed for handling batteries. There are developing fast charging technologies becoming available on the market and these new systems are changing the battery charging process.
The Right Fit
A main factor connected with any kind of forklift is using the right size of unit to do the specific application. The application itself must always dictate what product is chosen.
Clients are striving to find reduce operating expenses and more effective ways to lower operating costs, all the while increasing their overall productivity, specially since the economy becomes more complex and competitive. Utilizing the wrong size of forklift could greatly slow things down and have a big effect on the bottom line and success of a business, while negatively affecting the production on the jobsite.
If you are uncertain about what specific type of forklift you require, a respectable dealer would be able to ask you the right questions which will enable you to make a proper choice. Many dealerships offer rentals of their machines as well and this is a very good way to try before you commit to such a big purchase. It is also a nice way to try different models out to see which ones you and your drivers are the most comfortable with and which ones bring you the best productivity.