In our continuing look at forklift varieties and fuel types, we’ve examined the two main forklift categories: Internal combustion (IC) and electric forklifts.
Electric forklifts are typically best used indoors away from the elements. They’re easier to manage around a tight warehouse, they run much quieter, and produce no emissions that must be vented or collected. Internal combustion lifts, conversely, shine in outdoor applications such as external loading docks. They have a lower upfront cost and are much quicker to refuel than the electrics (which need several hours of recharging time for their internal batteries).
So, let’s assume you’ve chosen to go the IC route. The next big decision you’ll face is the type of fuel you want to use to power your equipment. While there are a few, newer hybrid models available, you’ll probably be looking at either a diesel forklift, a gasoline lift, or a propane forklift.
It’s the last variety that we’re interested in today. What advantages and disadvantages will a propane forklift fleet bring to your business? Are they right for your particular warehouse or application? Let’s find out.
First, the Pros:
Overall, the greatest advantage of propane forklifts has to be their flexibility. They are the easiest and quickest forklift to refill and refuel, drastically minimizing downtime on your warehouse floor. Electric lifts need hours to recharge and diesel’s require an on-site storage tank and pump system. Propane cylinders can be stocked and swapped out fairly quickly, and no special lifts or cranes are required to do so.
Propane-based units usually boast some of the cheapest upfront price tags among lift varieties, easily undercutting electric and diesel. Also, unlike most other IC fuel types, propane can actually be run in an indoor environment. Just be sure that all other WorksafeBC criteria is met.
The Cons:
Propane forklifts biggest disadvantage would likely be their ongoing costs — Expect maintenance and repairs to run higher (and more frequently) than diesel or gasoline trucks. Plus, fuel costs are generally higher on propane as compared to gas or diesel, although fuel costs can vary greatly from state to state.
Secondly, the external fuel tank can lead to some additional concerns. While it makes for very easy and quick refueling, the external tank can limit rearward visibility on the truck, and can make negotiating a smaller warehouse space more difficult. Additionally, the external tank does increase the liability associated with a fuel leak, and storage of spare tanks can be a concern. It’s likely best to talk with a propane distributor and get their recommendations on where to store on-site spares.
Propane forklifts can be a perfect fit for the right location — just be sure to do your homework first before purchasing a used or second hand forklift.
Whether you’re looking to expand your business fleet of forklifts or are just getting started with your first truck, the number of decisions involved in selecting a new or used forklift can be overwhelming. Between electric forklifts, internal combustion lifts (or even the relatively new-to-market hybrid lifts) choosing the right equipment for your warehouse or loading dock is essential.
A big consideration for your purchase is the upfront cost, of course. But don’t forget to consider the long term cost to operate your forklift. Typically you’re biggest expense in this category is going to be costs for fueling your lifts.
And that’s where diesel forklifts come in. They have some of the cheapest operating costs and fuel costs among internal combustion forklifts, and can out-power and out-lift your average electric forklift.
Like all lift varieties, there are plenty of pros and cons associated with diesel forklifts. In the interest of helping you cut through the confusion, here’s a brief buying guide for diesel forklifts — what you need to know, potential pitfalls, and how to prep for your purchase.
The Good
Probably the biggest advantage with diesel forklifts is their low cost to operate. Diesel is typically the cheapest fuel option for internal combustion lifts. While electric lifts will be cheaper in the long run, they aren’t necessarily cut out for outdoor environments.
Another huge plus that diesel forklifts share with other IC lifts is how quick they are to refuel. The high-capacity batteries in electric forklifts can take several hours to recharge, and take just as long to ‘cool down’. Diesel lifts can simply be refuel on-site, and are ready to go immediately.
Even compared to other IC engines styles such as propane, diesel boasts plenty of advantages. As their fuel system is internalized (as compared to propane’s external, rear-mounted tank), they are generally a bit less bulky and easier to maneuver. Plus, general engine maintenance for diesel is usually lower than propane, and they will usually last significantly longer than a comparable propane forklift.
The Not-So-Good
While diesel can be a great choice for an outdoor environment, they can’t easily be used indoors. Their emissions can cause a hazard if not ventilated properly in an indoor warehouse, and they are significantly louder to operate than emission-free electrics.
While their fuel costs are lower than propane, for quick refueling on-site you’ll probably need to install a secondary storage tank and pump at your warehouse. They also will often have a higher up-front price tag compared to other IC lift trucks, but a long term purchase can help to offset these costs thanks to the fuel savings.
If you’re ready to purchase a new fleet of forklifts for your business, diesel can be a fantastic choice, and knowing the pros and cons can help you make the best decision for your business.
Looking to expand your business with new or second hand forklifts? Unless you’re an old pro, the vast array of forklifts available can make your head spin. It’s easy to get lost in “analysis paralysis” when considering your first lift truck purchase, but with a few rules of thumb you can make the experience a breeze.
Plug In or Fuel Up?
Typically, your first choice is going to be the fuel type of your forklift. Your options will primarily fall into two categories — Internal combustion engines or electric / battery forklifts. If you plan on using your forklift outdoors or on rough terrain, an internal combustion forklift (like a propane forklift, which burns fossil fuels for power).
Conversely, electric or battery forklifts make are a great choice for indoor warehouse use. Because they produce no emissions, they can be used indoors without any safety risks unlike most internal combustion lifts. And because they run clean and quiet, they make a great addition to your indoor fleet.
Battery Forklift Essentials
So if you’re planning on an electric forklift purchase, there are a few things you need to be prepared for. On the plus side, battery-powered lifts have an overall lower cost per hour of operation than internal combustion engines, thanks to their electric power. However, this is offset a bit by a higher upfront cost when you go to purchase the lift. Expect electric forklifts to carry a price tag that’s about 30% higher than similar internal combustion lifts.
Thankfully, their reduced operating costs and the space they can free up in your warehouse (since you don’t need to store additional fuel) can quickly help make up for these costs.
Charging Essentials
With their increased flexibility comes some disadvantages. As battery forklifts need to be recharged periodically, they’ll need to come off the floor throughout the work week. Keep in mind that most forklift batteries take about 8 hours to charge and about 8 hours to “cool down” before use. Therefore, you may want to purchase an additional battery or two so that one can always be charging while the lift is in use.
Don’t be Afraid to Buy Used
Finally, you may want to look into buying a used forklift instead of brand new. Of course there are benefits to new lifts, such as dependability and warranties. However, buying a well-maintained 2nd hand forklift can shave a big chunk off of your costs.
Do your research into the maintenance and service records of any used forklifts you’re checking out. And don’t be afraid to ask for a test drive. Some sellers may even let you try out the lift in your warehouse for a day or two before making up your mind.
With the economy and manufacturing sector picking back up, you may be thinking about expanding your business a bit. After the last few years of belt-tightening economic times, many businesses are looking to jump start into the recovery with additional warehouse space or capital purchases.
However, with increased demand on your business, you’ll also increase demand for materials management. Therefore, it might also be time to start looking at purchasing some new forklifts for your growing business. And we all know how much cash you can save by purchasing used, or 2nd hand forklifts.
While some of the benefits of buying used are obvious (lower risk of depreciation, lower upfront costs) there are some pitfalls many forklift buyers find when buying second hand. Here are the top three mistakes to avoid to ensure your used forklift purchase goes smoothly.
Mistake #1: Newer is Always Better
This is by far the biggest mistake of the batch. Many used equipment buyers favor a newer model forklift or lift truck far more than the should, ignoring the total hours of operation that the equipment may have experienced. For example, which would you rather have — a two-year-old model with 4000 hours on it, or a 3-year-old model with only 1000?
Be sure to check out the use that a potential used forklift has seen, and don’t be seduced by a newer model year. Oftentimes, you can find much more reliable and well-cared-for vehicles for a bargain, as other buyers jump at the newer models.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the Fuel Type
You may think that all forklift fuel types are pretty much the same. With electric, internal combustion, and even the new hybrid models, it can get confusing fast. However, there’s a reason that they make these different types, and each one has it’s pros and cons. If this is your first forklift purchase especially, this is an easy mistake to make.
For indoor operations, electric engines are typically the way to go. They are also generally smaller in size and can be moved through a tight warehouse more easily. If your lift will be used outdoors or on uneven surfaces like gravel, internal combustion engines are probably your best choice. They offer more power and quicker refueling.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Long-Term Costs
You may find a second hand forklift that comes with a cheap price tag upfront, but ends up costing you a bundle in the long run. Items like expensive spare parts, poor battery condition, and more can drastically increase the cost of ownership and quickly erase any cash you saved upfront.
Be sure to ask if the unit comes with any spare parts or accessories, and take the lift for a test drive. Some sellers may even allow you to try out the lift in your warehouse for a week or so. It never hurts to ask!
Buying a used or second hand forklift can be a great way for your business to save some cash. You can trim literally thousands of dollars off the price of a new unit, and can avoid the huge depreciation hit you face when buying new.
Another advantage of buying used is that you can sometimes benefit from additional accessories or parts that were added to the lift along the line, as these will often be thrown in with the purchase. Again, this can save quite a bit of cash over customizing and outfitting a brand-new unit.
While there are plenty of benefits to buying a second hand forklift, there’s obviously some concerns you need to be aware of, just like buying any other used vehicle. But with a few basic guidelines, you can help make your purchase a successful one.
Picking a Brand
While we won’t go into a full run-down of the different makes and models here, choosing a forklift brand is a big deal — regardless if you’re buying new or used.
If you already own and operate a particular brand (and are happy with it), you can save quite a bit of hassle by purchasing that same brand in the future. This way, you can deal with one forklift dealer for all your repair needs rather than two or three. It also makes training your staff on the new lift much easier, as they’re already familiar with that brand’s standard control configurations.
Shopping Around
If you’re buying your first lift or are unhappy with your current brand, shop around! Try as many different brands as is reasonable, so you can narrow down the brand that works best for your shop. A great way to do your research is to rent a few different models for a month or two each. There’s no better way to learn the nuances of a brand’s lifts than by using them in your own warehouse!
Know When To Skimp… and When Not To
While we’re always looking for a good deal, sometimes tracking down that one unbelievable bargain can end up costing us. The same is true for forklifts. While you may be tempted to go for the cheapest offer you can find, it helps to remember that sometimes used lifts are cheap for a reason.
Skimping on a run-down lift can be a risky move, both from a return-on-investment standpoint and from a safety standpoint. If the lift mechanism or stability of a used lift is questionable, it could lead to an accident on the job.
Similarly, purchasing an extremely cheap forklift could end up costing plenty if repairs and downtime start eating into your business costs. See if you can work out a week-long test drive with the seller so you can be certain you’re making a good investment. If that’s not possible, ask to see any service logs or records for the lift.
If you’re looking to control your business’s start-up costs, renting a forklift for your business can be a great way to trim operating expenses. But just like purchasing a forklift, there’s plenty to consider when deciding what type of forklift to rent.
While the decisions can seem overwhelming, breaking them down to just a handful of options can help limit your choices drastically. Determining the forklift’s capacity, tire style, and fuel type will narrow the field substantially, helping you make a choice faster and letting you get back to what you do best — running your business.
Understanding your Capacity Needs
Perhaps the most vital decision you’ll make when selecting a forklift rental is the capacity you’ll need. Forklifts are rated by the maximum load they can safely handle, usually in pounds. You’ll often see forklifts rated as 3000#, 5000#, etc., which refer to the poundage that the lift can reasonably accommodate.
To help make a decision, make a list of the types of loads you anticipate needing to handle with your forklift, and determine the approximate maximum weight of such a load. Be sure that the the forklift you rent is easily rated for that load. Give yourself plenty of overhead, as it’s easy to underestimate the loads you’ll need to move, and safety should always be a top priority.
Choosing Your Tires
Your next big decision will be on the tire style and drive train for your forklift to meet your needs. In general, you’ll find “soft tire” and “hard tire” models. Soft tires are inflated under pressure and contain tubes, much like a car tire. They offer better traction and maneuverability, and allow your lift to travel over gravel and other uneven surfaces.
Soft tire forklifts are typically more expensive, however, and require more maintenance in general. Compare these to hard tire models, which use a completely solid, rubber tire. Hard tire models are less expensive, but they are more limited in their uses. They’re more likely to lose traction and get stuck on gravel or dirt, and should be kept to pavement or concrete.
However, if your warehouse or dock is completely paved, you can likely save some money by going with a hard tire forklift rental.
Fueling Your Forklift
Finally, you’ll need to decide which type of fuel will be best for your forklift needs. Forklifts can be broken down into two main categories — Internal combustion (IC) or electric. IC forklifts run on fossil fuels, such as propane or compressed natural gas, while electric models require charging and run off an internal battery.
While both styles have their advantages, electric forklifts are usually smaller and easier to move through a crowded warehouse. However, recharging them can take quite a while, which can mean lost time on the job if a battery runs out at an inopportune time.
IC models are quicker to refuel, but also produce exhaust and are costlier to run. However, with the advent of new, hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklifts, you can get the best of both worlds. They refill quickly, cost about the same to operate as typical IC fuels, and produce less exhaust. Plus, they’re a great way for your business to go green!
