Electric Forklift Vs. Diesel Forklift
A forklift could be powered either by an electric motor or by an internal combustion or IC motor. Electric forklifts are suitable for indoor use and cost a lot less to utilize. IC equipment are best for outdoor use and are quicker to refuel.
Electric Forklifts
For indoor applications, where air quality is a concern, the electric forklift is the best equipment you can use because it produces no exhaust. Electric forklifts are not noisy and clean. They are 20% to 40% more expensive to purchase than IC lifts, but the per-hour operating cost of electric models is less. The downside is that batteries require 16 hours to charge and cool down, so purchasing an extra set of batteries is suggested. Electric lifts are not limited for use indoors, but when utilized outdoors they should be utilized carefully.
Diesel Forklifts
Internal Combustion forklifts are for outdoor applications, and their carrying capacity is more than electric forklifts. If your fleet generally operates on one type of fuel, it may be a good choice to buy an IC unit which uses the same fuel. They could function on gas, propane or diesel. Diesel is the least expensive. IC forklifts have the advantage of being less expensive to operate and easy to refuel; then again, their operating cost on a per hour basis is higher. Most IC models cannot be used indoors.
Other Types of Forklifts
In warehouses where there are limited spaces, the narrow aisle electric forklift is most suitable. They are designed to pick up loads without having to position the lift facing the stacks. Rough terrain diesel forklifts have big tires for running on hard surfaces.