Once upon a time, a forklift could only be powered by engines that work on the principle of internal combustion. Diesel and gas were the kings of most machines and replacing them with batteries were unthinkable. Now that technology has made huge leaps in terms of battery size and weight, electric machines like forklifts are taking the world by storm. The many advantages can’t be ignored and many managers are switching their machines to electric as quick as they can muster the funds. Here are some reasons why.
1. Comparing performance
The most important attribute of any single piece of machinery is its efficiency. Warehouse managers don’t just want cost effectiveness, they want to see results in the form of proper work being done. In the past, electric forklifts weren’t very effective due to the limitations of heavy batteries. With improved battery technology, these forklifts are as efficient as ever. Nowadays, they can do the job a lot better than their diesel-powered counterparts.
Forklifts that run on batteries can work just as long as internal combustion forklifts, but during this time they also outperform them. They have a higher reach than internal combustion forklifts and their turning radius is quite a bit better.
2. Easier maintenance
Electric forklifts and internal combustion forklifts don’t just differ by their power source. They have different moving parts as well. To be more precise, electric forklifts have much fewer moving parts in their mechanism. Fewer moving parts means fewer things that can go wrong. This means you won’t have to fix them as often as those that run on diesel and gas.
Battery-powered forklifts have one rotor and one stator that is supported by bearings. They don’t have various pistons and crankshafts that need to be oiled and there’s no need for any coolant. This is a pretty straightforward advantage, as you won’t have to purchase many additional things to keep it running.
3. Versatility is a factor
Warehouse facilities can vary in size and this is going to be important for anyone looking to purchase a forklift. Some forklifts are just too big for the room they are supposed to be used in. When it comes to internal combustion engines, you can’t really go smaller after a certain point. This is where electric forklifts come into play.
Due to the fact that batteries vary in size, you can build a forklift that is relatively small in stature. Some electric forklifts can reach sizes as small as two meters. This is small enough to pass through a regular doorway. Small frames and high maneuverability are important assets when your forklift needs to make sharp turns through small areas.
4. Fueling and refuelling
Every kind of forklift has to be refuelled once in a while, considering we haven’t invented the perpetual motion machine just yet. Regular forklifts that run on gas and diesel will obviously need to be pumped full of fuel. This process doesn’t take too long, but the price of the fuel can vary and it puts quite a dent in your wallet.
Electric forklifts aren’t particularly demanding when it comes to refuelling. You plug them into a socket and wait until the battery is full. They can last just as long on a single battery as regular forklifts can last on a full tank of gas. The difference is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on gas. If you get yourself an affordable electric forklift, you’re going to save quite a bit of money on fuel. Your power bill might be raised, but only slightly.
5. Environmental friendliness
Nowadays, various companies are doing their part in saving the environment. The twenty-first century is all about reducing pollution in every workplace and at home. Electric forklifts are a move in the right direction for warehouses. They have no harmful emissions whatsoever. Internal combustion engines have their fair share of disadvantages in this field. Not only do they emit harmful gases that can be health hazards, but they also use fuel which is obtained through means that aren’t very eco-friendly.
If your forklift runs on batteries that can be recharged, you’re not going to leave behind anything that can pollute the environment. The inside of the warehouse won’t be filled with any toxic fumes because it doesn’t produce any. The icing on the cake is that it also doesn’t contribute to noise pollution. Electric forklifts hardly make a sound while they’re working.
Conclusion
Electric forklifts are changing the landscape of warehouses and they’re doing it for the better. Fewer health hazards and more versatility are advantages that are just too good to pass up. Due to their energy efficiency, there’s good money to be made in making this switch, which is probably why it’s happening so quickly.
