You'll find few pieces of heavy machinery which are as effective or valuable as a lift truck for businesses and companies which need to transport heavy materials and things. Lift trucks are a common site in distribution depots, lumber yards, dockyards, manufacturing plants, agriculture, warehouses, shipping and receiving and other work places which require to handle loads ranging from 3000 to 30,000 plus lbs.
The forklift is used most often to keep the flow of operations running as smoothly and efficiently 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 could make the purchase pay for itself in little time.
Available on the market today are a lot of different units from many different manufacturers. These different units are designed particularly to deal with some particular jobs. So as to make certain that you don't purchase the wrong type of machine or buy more than you need, it is really vital to evaluate the needs of your business and compare to the various units available on the market. Speaking with a certified forklift distributor is a good idea and so is doing your own research on the internet.
When looking at lift trucks by the kind of fuel, the following kinds are available:
Electric: The electric forklift is run by lead-acid based rechargeable batteries. These heavy and large batteries could run a machine for more than 5 or 6 straight hours. Electric models are ideal for indoor applications due to their lack of emissions. They are a popular option for retail spaces and warehouses since they put zero emissions into the air where individuals are working and provide a fairly low cost per hour of operation.
Internal Combustion: The IC engine works on a range of different fuels like CNG or compressed natural gas, others take diesel, LP or liquid propane or gasoline. In comparison to electric forklifts, the IC or internal combustion units accelerate faster, are easier to refuel and could carry heavier loads. These units are normally more expensive to use compared to their electric counterparts.
Fuel Cell: The newest in lift truck technology is the Hydrogen fuel cell. These models provide the fast refueling capability of an IC unit but provide the zero emissions and quietness of electric forklifts.
Nissan's outdoor models would provide synchronized steering. This specific feature automatically returns the wheel knob to the original position after the completion of a turn. Outfitted with solid pneumatic tires to offer a comfortable ride both indoors and outdoors, these tires are more resistant to damage and wear.