For businesses which lift and move heavy supplies and goods on a regular basis, there is probably no more valuable or effective machinery as the lift truck. Lift trucks are a popular site in lumber yards, distribution depots, dockyards, manufacturing plants, shipping and receiving, agriculture, warehouses and other work places which has to handle loads ranging from 3000 to 30,000 plus pounds.
The lift truck is used most often to keep the flow of operations running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Though lift trucks are a huge investment, the injuries they reduce from heavy lifting and the amount of man hours they could save can make the purchase pay for itself in little time.
Available on the market these days are numerous of different units from many different manufacturers. These different units are designed specifically to handle certain particular tasks. In order to make certain that you don't purchase the wrong kind of machinery or buy more than you require, it is vital to assess your company's requirements and compare to the various models offered on the market. Talking to a licensed forklift distributor is a good idea and so is doing your own research online.
When looking at forklifts by the type of fuel, the following kinds are available:
Electric: Electric forklifts utilize heavy, large, rechargeable batteries that are lead-acid based. These batteries are able to run for around 5 or 6 hours straight. Electric models are great for indoor use due to their lack of emissions. They are a popular alternative for warehouses and retail spaces because they provide a fairly low cost per hour of operation and put zero emissions into the air where people are working.
Internal Combustion: The internal combustion engine operates on a variety of different fuels like CNG or compressed natural gas, others take diesel, LP or liquid propane or gasoline. When compared to electric forklifts, the IC or internal combustion units can carry heavier loads, are easier to refuel and accelerate faster. These models are usually more expensive to use compared to their electric counterparts.
Fuel Cell: The newest in forklift technology is the Hydrogen fuel cell. These models provide the quietness and zero emissions of electric forklifts but provide the fast refueling capability of an IC model.
Nissan's outdoor units will offer synchronized steering. This feature automatically returns the wheel knob to the original position following completing a turn. Outfitted with solid pneumatic tires to provide a comfortable ride both indoors and outdoors, these tires are more resistant to both wear and damage.