You'll find several pieces of heavy equipment which are as valuable or effective as a forklift for companies and businesses which need to move heavy supplies and items. Lift trucks are a common site in dockyards, manufacturing plants, lumber yards, distribution depots, shipping and receiving, agriculture, warehouses and other work places that need to handle loads ranging from 3000 to 30,000 plus lbs.
The lift truck is used most frequently to keep the flow of operations working as efficiently and smoothly as possible. Though forklifts are a huge investment, the injuries they reduce from heavy lifting and the amount of man hours they can save can make the purchase pay for itself eventually.
There are numerous different units and manufacturers of forklifts on the market. Various models are made to accomplish various jobs. So as to make certain that you don't buy more than you need or the wrong kind of machine, it is important to assess your company's needs and compare to the different units on the market. Talking to a qualified forklift distributor is a very great idea and so is doing your own research online.
When looking at lift trucks by fuel type, the following types are available:
Electric: The electric forklift is powered by lead-acid based rechargeable batteries. These large and heavy batteries can run a machinery for more than 5 or 6 straight hours. Electric units are ideal for indoor applications due to their lack of emissions. They are a common option for warehouses and retail spaces since they provide a fairly low cost per hour of operation and put zero emissions into the air where people are working.
Internal Combustion: IC forklifts operate with a variety of fuels. Several units take CNG or compressed natural gas, others take diesel, LP or liquid propane or gasoline. When compared to electric forklifts, the internal combustion or IC units can carry heavier loads, are easier to refuel and accelerate faster. These units are normally more expensive to utilize than their electric counterparts.
Fuel Cell: The newest in lift truck technology is the Hydrogen fuel cell. These models offer the quietness and zero emissions of electric forklifts but provide the fast refueling capability of an internal combustion unit.
Nissan's outdoor models would offer synchronized steering. This feature automatically returns the wheel knob to the original position after completing a turn. Equipped with solid pneumatic tires to offer a comfortable ride both outdoors and indoors, these tires are more resistant to damage and wear.