forklift cost of ownership

Running Out of Forklift Fuel

Accidents can be the result of running out of forklift fuel. Imagine an operator picking up a load with a paper roll clamp attachment. After raising the load to an appropriate height, the operator moves the forklift forward to place the load on top of other rolls. Suddenly, the forklift engine dies. Out of fuel, […]

IC_Engine

Internal Combustion Forklift Operation

An engine is a device that uses chemical energy – a fuel – to produce mechanical energy. Engines operating on this principle are called internal combustion engines and are used in an internal combustion forklift. Because automobiles use the same type of engine, many people are familiar with an internal combustion (IC) engine. While it […]

forklift LP leak

Checking Your Forklift for a Propane Leak

“I smell propane coming from my forklift. The tank’s valve doesn’t appear to be the source of the leak. What else should I check?” First, focus on ventilation! Open up doors and/or windows in the area and turn off the forklift’s propane tank. You must be in an open, well-ventilated area to allow the LP […]

Forklift LP tank

8 Tips For Changing a Forklift LP Tank

Because liquid propane (LP) is a flammable and explosive gas, changing an LP tank on a forklift offers risks. To keep ourselves and co-workers safe, we must act responsibly. Changing a Forklift LP Tank Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) The fuel inside the LP tank is contained at a high pressure and has a temperature […]

Toyota Large IC Cushion Forklift

Forklift Fuel Consumption and Efficiency

When attempting to decrease your forklift’s fuel consumption, there is not one specific change that will greatly alter usage; however, you can focus on smaller tasks to create a cost savings. Discovering which changes will make an impact will require a combination of facility observation, operator training and review of maintenance history. Facility Observation The […]

battery chargers image

Forklift Battery Maintenance

An often-talked-about advantage of purchasing an electric forklift (even a heavy-duty large electric forklift) is the fuel cost savings. While the acquisition costs are higher than an LP-powered forklift, the battery powers the electric unit for multiple years. However, there’s a factor many companies overlook when estimating the return on investment of the battery – the […]

purchasing a forklift

Forklifts and LP Gas Storage

A large percentage of forklifts operated in the U.S. are fueled by LP, also known as liquefied petroleum. LP gas is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases, primarily propane and butane. One gallon of LP gas is equivalent to 270 gallons of vapor; therefore, an 8 gallon cylinder of LP gas has a capacity of […]

Toyota Large Electric Forklift Image

Electric Forklifts versus IC Forklifts

The great debate – electric forklifts versus internal combustion (IC) forklifts. This decision is not only for new companies. Established companies may also weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each fuel, especially if there is a shift of priorities to “go green.” Electric Forklift Advantages The forklift industry has experienced a shift in sales, with […]

Toyota Large Electric Forklift

Switching from an Internal Combustion Forklift to an Electric Forklift

Historically, internal combustion (IC) forklifts have dominated the manufacturing industry. Although electric forklifts provided cleaner emissions and low level noise, companies faced decreased production and struggled to justify the higher costs of batteries and charging stations. Today the electric forklift rivals the production of an IC forklift, matching or exceeding the alternative’s performance. Its reduction […]