For businesses which raise and transport heavy materials and goods on a regular basis, there is probably no more effective or valuable machinery as the forklift. Lift trucks are a common site in distribution depots, lumber yards, dockyards, manufacturing plants, agriculture, warehouses, shipping and receiving and other work places that has to deal with loads ranging from 3000 to 30,000 plus lbs.
The lift truck is utilized most often to keep the flow of operations working as efficiently and smoothly as possible. Even though lift trucks are a huge investment, the injuries they reduce from heavy lifting and the amount of man hours they could save can make the purchase pay for itself in little time.
There are many different units and manufacturers of forklifts on the market. Different models are designed to accomplish various tasks. In order to make sure that you don't purchase the wrong kind of machinery or purchase more than you need, it is very important to assess your company's requirements and compare to the various units available on the market. Talking to a authorized forklift distributor is a great idea and so is doing your own research on the internet.
When looking at lift trucks by the type of fuel, the following kinds are available:
Electric: Electric forklifts use heavy, large, rechargeable batteries which are lead-acid based. These batteries can run for roughly 5 or 6 hours straight. Electric models are great for indoor use due to their lack of emissions. They are a popular alternative for retail spaces and warehouses because they put zero emissions into the air where individuals are working and provide a relatively low cost per hour of operation.
Internal Combustion: Internal combustion forklifts work with a range of fuels. Some models take compressed natural gas or CNG, others take diesel, LP or liquid propane or gasoline. When compared to electric forklifts, the IC or internal combustion models are easier to refuel, accelerate faster and could carry heavier loads. These units are normally more pricey to operate than their electric counterparts.
Fuel Cell: The latest in lift truck technology is the Hydrogen fuel cell. These units offer the quietness and zero emissions of electric forklifts but provide the fast refueling capability of an IC unit.
Nissan's outdoor models will offer synchronized steering. This particular feature returns the wheel knob to the original position automatically after completing a turn. Outfitted with solid pneumatic tires to offer a comfortable ride both indoors and outdoors, these tires are more resistant to both damage and wear.