For businesses that lift and transport heavy materials and merchandise on a regular basis, there is probably no more valuable or effective equipment as the lift truck. Lift trucks are a common site in manufacturing plants, dockyards, lumber yards, distribution depots, agriculture, warehouses, shipping and receiving and other work places that has to deal with loads ranging from 3000 to 30,000 plus lbs.
The lift truck is used most often to keep the flow of operations running as efficiently and smoothly as possible. Even though lift trucks are a big investment, the amount of man hours they could save and the injuries they reduce from heavy lifting can make the purchase pay for itself eventually.
There are numerous different models and manufacturers of lift trucks available on the market. Various models are designed to accomplish different jobs. In order to make certain that you don't buy the wrong type of equipment or purchase more than you need, it is essential to evaluate the requirements of your business and compare to the various units on the market. Talking to a licensed forklift distributor is a very good idea and so is doing your own research online.
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 can run a machine for more than 5 or 6 straight hours. Electric units are best suited for indoor use due to their lack of emissions. They are a common choice for retail spaces and warehouses because they put zero emissions into the air where individuals are working and provide a fairly low cost per hour of operation.
Internal Combustion: The internal combustion engine works on a range of different fuels like compressed natural gas or CNG, others take diesel, LP or liquid propane or gasoline. When compared to electric forklifts, the IC or internal combustion models could carry heavier loads, are easier to refuel and accelerate faster. These units are typically more pricey to utilize compared to their electric counterparts.
Fuel Cell: The latest in forklift technology is the Hydrogen fuel cell. These models offer the quietness and zero emissions of electric lift trucks but provide the fast refueling capability of an IC unit.
Nissan's outdoor models would provide synchronized steering. This feature returns the wheel knob to the original position automatically after completing a turn. Equipped with solid pneumatic tires to offer a comfortable ride both outdoors and indoors, these tires are more resistant to wear and damage.