Propane Forklifts
One inconvenience of propane tanks is to have to change, however there is little risk to running out of fuel on a propane forklift. These units tend to be cheaper to use compared to the electric and diesel unit forklift. The discussion to whether or not the propane emissions are cleaner compared to diesel emissions continues in the industry.
When it comes to performance, propane lift trucks seem to handle better than the majority of electric units available on the market when the task needs constant duty drive line torque and high applications. There are several electric units which are reputed to handle equally or better. Depending on the particular circumstances, propane lifts may or may not be acceptable for handling food and edible goods. As long as WorkSafeBC criteria are met, propane forklifts are acceptable for the majority of indoor use.
The Drawbacks of LPG Propane Forklifts
Several of the key disadvantages of LPG forklifts are that compared to diesel trucks comprise: they are not as effective in applications which need high and or constant duty drive line torque. These models have a liability exposure, due to the possibility of a fuel system leak while the truck is located indoors. Additionally, operators need to be trained on the safe use of propane fuel. The rearward visibility off of the back end of the counterweight is restricted. This is because of the propane tank's location.
The cost of fuel is higher with propane models when compared to the diesel unit. Because of the frequency at which the propane tanks are changed, there are possible injuries which could occur. Unless a site has a bulk fill station, propane may require to be changed every six hours of use. Propane forklifts can be harder to start and run smoothly when they are operating in cold temperatures. In remote locations, propane fuel is not always available at once. In the next few decades, the cost of fossil fuels is estimated to climb dramatically. Take into account and plan for overall expense or repair and maintenance, as well as the entire cost of ownership to be the highest of the 3 options.
There is a real possibility that the LPG lift truck models will be ideal for you, but will ultimately depend on what your needs are. It is best to take into account your specific loads and lifting needs along with the kinds of environments you would be operating in order to be sure that you purchase the right unit to meet your needs.