For businesses that lift and transport heavy materials and merchandise regularly, there is probably no more valuable or effective equipment as the lift truck. Lift trucks are a popular site in manufacturing plants, dockyards, distribution depots, lumber yards, agriculture, warehouses, shipping and receiving and other work places which require to deal with loads ranging from 3000 to 30,000 plus lbs.
The forklift is utilized most often to keep the flow of operations running as efficiently and smoothly as possible. Even though lift trucks are a huge investment, the amount of man hours they can save and the injuries they reduce from heavy lifting can make the purchase pay for itself in little time.
Available on the market these days are a lot of different models from a lot of different manufacturers. These different units are made specially to deal with some particular tasks. In order to make certain that you don't buy the wrong kind of equipment or purchase more than you need, it is very vital to evaluate your company's needs and compare to the different units offered on the market. Talking to a certified forklift distributor is a good idea and so is doing your own research online.
When looking at lift trucks by the kind of fuel, the following types are available:
Electric: Electric lift trucks use heavy, large, rechargeable batteries that are lead-acid based. These batteries are able to run for approximately 5 or 6 hours straight. Electric units are great for indoor use due to their lack of emissions. They are a common alternative for warehouses and retail spaces because they provide a fairly low cost per hour of operation and put zero emissions into the air where people are working.
Internal Combustion: Internal combustion lift trucks work with a range of fuels. Several units take compressed natural gas or CNG, others take diesel, LP or liquid propane or gasoline. When compared to electric forklifts, the internal combustion or IC units can carry heavier loads, are easier to refuel and accelerate faster. These models are typically more expensive to operate than their electric counterparts.
Fuel Cell: The newest in forklift technology is the Hydrogen fuel cell. These units provide the quietness and zero emissions of electric forklifts but provide the fast refueling capability of an internal combustion unit.
There are a variety of outdoor Nissan units which offer synchronized steering. This feature automatically returns the wheel knob to the original position following the completion of a turn. Outfitted with solid pneumatic tires to offer a comfortable ride both outdoors and indoors, these tires are more resistant to both damage and wear.