Electric Forklift Vs. Diesel Forklift
Forklifts are powered one of two ways, either by electric motor or by internal combustion (IC) motor. Electric forklifts are best for use indoors and cost much less to operate. IC equipment are suitable for outdoor use and are quicker to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
Electric lifts produce no exhaust, that makes them the machine of choice for indoor use where the quality of air is a concern. Electric forklifts are not noisy and clean. They are 20% to 40% more expensive to purchase than IC lifts, but the operating cost of electric models on a per hour basis is less. The disadvantage is that batteries need 16 hours to charge and cool down, so purchasing an extra set of batteries is recommended. Electric lifts are not limited to indoor use, but when utilized outdoors they should be used carefully.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts are for outdoor applications, and their carrying capacity is more than electric forklifts. If your fleet generally runs on one type of fuel, it may be a wise idea to buy an IC unit which uses the same kind of fuel. They can run on propane, diesel or gas. Diesel is the most economical. IC forklifts have the advantage of being less expensive to operate and easy to refuel; nonetheless, their per-hour cost to operate is higher. Nearly all IC models cannot be utilized indoors.
Other Forklifts
Narrow-aisle electric forklifts are suitable for tight spaces in warehouses. They are designed to pick up loads without having to position the lift facing the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have huge tires for running on hard surfaces.