Corporate Buyers Guide

As the drive systems of electric forklift trucks improve, it benefits three types of electric trucks. All three have gone to AC drives for the main drive as well as the mast drive. The basic electric forklift truck is taking the place of internal combustion lift trucks even for heavy loads. The development of fuel cells and high speed battery charging has broadened the application of electric trucks.

 

As the storage systems in warehouses become more compact in area and greater in height, the narrow aisle forklift is in increasing demand. The

to move and rise become more and more important for this truck. The narrow aisle forklift comes in two versions. The single reach, here the forks can move forward for a single pallet length. The Double reach can move deeper into a rack to a double pallet length.

The order picker forklift also is in increasing demand as voice picking is used more frequently in the order filling process.

All three models benefit from improved electric drive technology.

The IC trucks come in a broad range of fuel. Liquid gas is popular because it burns cleanly which is desirable for indoor use. It is relatively easy to store. Dual fuel, LPG/ gasoline and diesel engines are common mainly for outdoor use

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The IC cushion forklift is the most common. The cushion tire is best to run on smooth, indoor surfaces. The tires are small, giving the truck a low center of gravity which is useful in fast cornering. The capacity of cushion tire forklifts goes up to 10,000 lbs with most manufacturers.

The IC pneumatic forklift has tires that give a softer ride. IC pneumatic forklifts have better traction than cushion tires. They also have higher ground clearance and are better on uneven ground, such as outdoors. With loads over 10,000 pounds, the pneumatic tires are preferred.

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