Diesel Forklifts Vs. Electric Forklifts
A forklift could function either by internal combustion (IC) motor or by an electric motor. Electric forklifts are suitable for indoor application and cost much less to operate. IC machinery are best for use outdoors and are faster to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
For indoor use, where the quality of air is a problem, the electric forklift is the suitable machinery you can use as it produces no exhaust. Electric forklifts are clean and are not noisy. They are 20% to 40% more expensive to buy than IC lifts, but the per-hour operating cost of electric models is much less. The downside is that batteries require 16 hours to charge and cool down, so the purchase of an extra set of batteries is suggested. Electric lifts are not limited for use indoors, but when utilized outdoors they must be utilized carefully.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts have a higher carrying capacity than electric forklifts and are usually used for outdoor applications. If your fleet normally runs on one kind of fuel, it may be a good choice to purchase an IC unit that uses the same fuel. They could function on propane, diesel or gas. Diesel is the most economical. IC forklifts have the advantage of being easy to refuel and cheaper to operate; however, their operating cost on a per hour basis is higher. The majority of IC models cannot be utilized indoors.
Other Forklifts
In warehouses where there are tight spaces, the narrow aisle electric forklift is most suitable. They are constructed to pick up loads without having to position the lift facing the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have big tires for running on difficult surfaces.