Once you’ve made the choice to go with internal combustion engine-powered forklifts for your operation, you now need to decide which fuel type is best for you.  The following tips should help to point you in the right direction.

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Liquid Petroleum Gas (LP) – LP is ideal for customer locations that do not have gasoline, diesel, or CNG refilling stations readily available.  If you’re purchasing forklifts for a new facility, LP has the lowest initial cost since all you essentially need to purchase are LP tanks and a place to store them.  LP tanks can also be swapped in a matter of minutes, which can reduce your amount of downtime when refueling.  LP forklifts are available with both cushion and pneumatic tires and are ideal for both indoor and outdoor operations.

Diesel – Diesel fuel is highly efficient and can provide longer run times in general compared to other fuel types. One by-product of the combustion process with diesel is soot, which can accumulate in the exhaust system of a forklift and needs to be removed. Most Toyota forklifts are built with diesel oxidation catalysts so that this is slowly burned off over time, but there are some forklifts out there that use diesel particular filters that need to go through a manual regen process to burn away these deposits.  This can lead to more downtime since the forklift must be parked and not in use for the manual regen process to complete.  In general, diesel engines also have higher torque than their LP or gas counterparts, which can provide increased gradeability and acceleration. While fuel pricing is subject to change, diesel currently costs more per gallon than gasoline, providing a better return on investment over years of use. Diesel-powered forklifts are generally only available with pneumatic type tires and are designed for outdoor use. This is mostly due to the fact that they are louder machines and produce more emissions than LP or gas-powered forklifts.

Gasoline – Gasoline-only powered forklifts are pretty rare in the material handling industry due to the popularity of dual-fuel forklifts and the general lack of gasoline fueling stations, but they do serve a purpose. For customers that have refueling stations readily available, conveniently placed, and able to accommodate the size of their fleet, there is little reason to use LP or dual fuel configurations. Gasoline-powered forklifts also do not have an LP tank and bracket on the back of the forklift, which can increase rearward visibility. They are also typically more powerful than their diesel alternatives and can provide increased travel and lift/lower speeds.

Diesel vs Electric vs Gas Forklifts: Advantages and Disadvantages

Contents

• What Is A Diesel Forklift?
• What Is A Gas Forklift?
• What Is An Electric Forklift?

Diesel, Electric or gas forklift

When choosing a forklift, you have to ensure that you’re getting the correct vehicle for the job. There are differences between diesel forklifts, gas forklifts, and electric forklifts that have to be kept in mind. Here, we’re going to look at what you need to know about each of them, their advantages, and disadvantages, so you can get a better idea of which might suit your needs better.

The company is the world’s best Diesel Forklift Supplier supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

WHAT IS A DIESEL FORKLIFT?

Diesel forklift trucks are larger truckers that are typically designed to better handle rougher terrain and, as such, are built more for outdoor use and use in all manner of weather conditions. Their primary feature is the fuel tank, usually big enough to allow them to run for a long time without interruption.

DIESEL FORKLIFTS: ADVANTAGES

• Suited for outdoor use as it’s not much affected by weather
• Tank is easy to fill, so less downtime
• Can be parked anywhere
• Fewer maintenance issues than others

DIESEL FORKLIFTS: DISADVANTAGES

• Higher noise and fume emissions
• Tend to be larger and require more space to store
• Higher fuel costs
• Bulky fuel tanks

WHAT IS A GAS FORKLIFT?

Also known as liquid petroleum gas (LPG ) forklifts, a gas forklift runs off a mixture of propane, butane, and other chemicals, with fuel tanks attached directly to it, and detached when empty to be refilled or replaced. They’re well suited to outdoor use, too, but can be a little more versatile than a diesel forklift, if not quite as powerful or as long-lasting before needing a refuel.

GAS FORKLIFTS: ADVANTAGES

• Burns cleaner than petrol and other alternatives
• Works well outdoors
• Is quieter and safer than diesel forklifts
• Relatively easy to maintain
• Easy to refuel

GAS FORKLIFTS: DISADVANTAGES

• Consumes fuel more quickly than a diesel forklift
• Not as powerful as a diesel-powered forklift
• Pressurised gas fuel containers need extra safety precautions to handle and store safely

WHAT IS AN ELECTRIC FORKLIFT?

Powered by a rechargeable battery, the electric forklift is typically a smaller vehicle, which has seen it largely used in indoor spaces such as warehouses and retail spaces. As they are smaller, easier to store, and easier to maneuver, they tend to be the safe option overall and can navigate tight spaces easily. They’re also easier to control and learn to drive thanks to a lack of clutch.

ELECTRIC FORKLIFTS: ADVANTAGES

• Lower running costs over time
• Better for smaller environments
• Environmentally friendly
• Take up less space
• Suited for indoor use

ELECTRIC FORKLIFTS: DISADVANTAGES

• Not as suited to outdoor use
• Relatively limited power due to battery size
• Higher initial costs
• More downtime as battery has to recharge

Here at Atlas Forklift, we sell new and used diesel, electric and gas forklifts. We have a wide range of new forklifts from all the leading manufacturers, so you're sure to find the perfect one for your business. Take a look below to see our range of forklifts.

DIESEL, GAS AND ELECTRIC FORKLIFT TRUCKS FROM ATLASFORKLIFT:

DIESEL FORKLIFTS

GAS FORKLIFTS

ELECTRIC FORKLIFTS

BUY USED FORKLIFTS WEST MIDLANDS

We also have a wide range of used forklifts for sale, perfect for those on a budget or who only require a forklift for occasional use. All of our used forklifts are fully serviced and come with a warranty, so you can be sure they'll be up and running when you need them.

BUY NEW FORKLIFTS WEST MIDLANDS

If you're looking for a brand-new forklift, we can help you find the perfect model for your needs. We have a wide range of New Hangcha Forklifts from all the leading manufacturers, so you're sure to find the perfect one for your business. All our new forklifts come with a full warranty, and our team of experts is on hand to offer advice and support.

For more information, please visit Electric Material Handling Machine.