FUEL CONSUMPTION RATE OF DIESEL-POWERED ...

Author: Evelyn y

Dec. 02, 2024

FUEL CONSUMPTION RATE OF DIESEL-POWERED ...

,'How much fuel does a forklift consume per hour?' is a frequently asked question when customers rent or buy a diesel-powered forklift. 

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The fuel consumption rate is calculated by the amount of diesel used (unit: litre) continuously by the forklift in 1 hour, denoted by l/h. 

Diesel-powered forklift ' a popular choice 

Nowadays, the diesel-powered forklift is a popular choice in construction, industry and agriculture.   

In Vietnam, the diesel powered forklift is proven to be well-suited with climate conditions and current companies' demands. 

Typically, the lifting/lowering and handling of material are mostly performed outdoors and on complicated terrains. The diesel powered forklift will be an optimal solution as it offers excellent features, including: 

  • Powerful engine 

  • Long working hours without having to compromise productivity 

  • Maneuverable wheel tire system 

  • Easy repair and maintenance  

  • Flexible and high efficiency 

How much diesel does a forklift consume per hour? 

When using a diesel-powered forklift; Operating cost is the first thing that comes to customer's concern. This operating cost includes:  

  • Maintenance cost 

  • Fuel fee 

  • Labour cost 

In which, fuel fee is the most concerning expense as it is a frequently incurred amount. 

However, there is no exact answer for the fuel consumption rate of diesel-powered forklift as it varies depending on many factors namely: 

  • Max. lifting capacity 

  • Engine type 

  • Actual working conditions 

  • Machine working hours

  • Operator's skill 

This fuel consumption rate is sometimes shown in product's specifications of some manufacturers. However, it is just a relative number which is based on standard conditions. 

How to calculate fuel consumption rate of diesel-powered forklift? 

Let's us take an example: 

The forklift is mounted with a 35,4 kW engine; Performing lifting of kg package in a 40m route.  

  • A is the loading location, B is the unloading location 

  • At A, the forklift works at the lifting height of 3m 

  • The travelling speed from A to B is 15 km/h 

  • Unloading at B and return to A with no-load 

A basic lifting cycle like this will consume about 2,4 litres of diesel per hour for a professional operator. 

Does a diesel-powered forklift chew up fuel ? 

Fuel consumption rates per hour for reference: 

Are you interested in learning more about 5 ton forklift diesel consumption per hour? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

  • 1ton diesel forklift: 4L ~ 3.3L 

  • 1,5ton diesel forklift: 2.5L ~ 3.6L

  • 2ton diesel forklift: 2.6L ~ 3.6L

  • 2,5ton diesel forklift  2.7L ~ 3.8L

  • 3ton diesel forklift: 2.9L ~ 3.9L

Remarks: The fuel consumption rate of diesel-powered forklift may vary from 10-30% compared with the calculation depending on actual working conditions. 

Some tips to keep the fuel consumption down for a diesel forklift  

To save cost when using a diesel forklifts, here are some tips: 

  • Select a professional operator 

How long a piece of property lasts depends on how one cares for it. Therefore, the operator plays an important role in the life of a forklift. A professional operator masters usage; maintenance and operation of the equipment . This will help the business save the cost. 

  • Working frequency  

Operating forklift in its correct function will help you save the cost and extend the equipment life. 

Working overload also chews up fuel consumption and leads to quick deterioration.

  • On-time maintenance 

It is necessary to carry out maintenance on time as advised by the manufacturer. You should prepare periodic maintenance plans to ensure the machine remains in its best conditions. 

For further information and support, please contact our hotline at 486 586

The forklift fuel robbery

News

Save money

The study showed a surprisingly large difference between manufacturers' fuel consumption, making big savings a tangible reality with the 'right' truck.

Fuel consumption is a figure that's often overlooked when buying a new truck, buried as it is, deep in the manufacturer's VDI datasheet' and if the figure given does not compare well, who can blame the salesman for not drawing it to your attention? In some cases, the fuel consumption figure may not even be shown at all.

In this article we'll show you what to look for, how it's measured - and we'll help give you an idea of how much money you could be saving, to spend on something else.

Read on and you'll see that the fuel cost difference can add up to as much as 12,000 Euro per truck between two manufacturers over five years. A staggering figure, and with the cost of fuel rising ever-higher, it's an issue that's not going to go away or improve any time soon.

The Fuel Consumption Test

The fuel consumption figure given on forklift datasheets is typically shown as VDI 60.

This figure means the truck has driven a 'duty cycle' based on the VDI test circuit (see figure below), carefully moderating its speed so that it completes this cycle 60 times in 60 minutes. Fuel consumption for the hour is then measured.

VDI stands for['Verband Deutscher Ingenieure', the accepted standard for comparing fuel consumption of the different forklift trucks. However, in practice, how the truck is used, and, in particular, the way that the operator drives can, and usually does, make an even more significant difference.

The truck being tested drives forward to position 'A', then lifts its rated load to a height of 2 metres, reverses out and travels to position 'B' some 30 metres away, where it lifts its load again to 2 metres, before reversing to its start position.

VDI test cycle according to VDI.

This is obviously quite an intensive cycle, and in most real-world situations a forklift will not work as intensively as this throughout its shift, but this is the standard measurement. A reasonable estimate of real-world fuel consumption cost may be reached by taking each manufacturer's datasheet VDI60 fuel consumption figure ' and assume it is working, on average, for just 60% of the time, or 4.8 hours a day.

So here's how to work out total fuel costs for yourself:

  1. Take the Fuel Consumption figure from a forklift's spec sheet
  2. Multiply this by the fuel cost per litre of diesel or per kg for LPG
  3. Estimate how many hours per day the truck will be used (e.g. 60% of an 8 hour shift = 4.8)
  4. Multiply by number of shifts per year (e.g. 260)
  5. Multiply by number of years in contract (e.g. 5)

The chart below shows five well-known forklift truck manufacturers (apart from Mitsubishi, their names have been removed). In each case, the manufacturer's datasheet for a 2.5 tonne LPG engine model was used to obtain and compare the Fuel Consumption figure.

Figure compares the fuel consumption (LPG is kg/h and Diesel is l/h) between Mitsubishi and four other leading manufacturers.

 

Conclusions

By using manufacturers' own data, it was clearly shown that there is currently a large difference between manufacturers' fuel consumption performance. When taken over short or long periods, and in moderately intensive applications, fuel can account for a very large part of the cost of ownership ' a huge factor if the buying decision is influenced by price.

Figures calculated over a typical five year contract period show that an efficient truck can save its operator around £13,000 in fuel compared to the worst ' using current fuel prices, which are certain to rise further.

  • Action points

    The company is the world’s best 10 ton forklift truck manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

  • Estimate your own potential savings, by using the formula given here (and by estimating the intensity of your current operation) comparing the truck you use now with a more energy efficient alternative.
  • When choosing your next IC engine forklift, be sure to check the manufacturers' fuel consumption figures and discuss them with the representative.
  • Ask the local dealer's representative for an equivalent quote for using an electric truck. You may be surprised. (See our article 'Electric or IC engine: which is right for your site?')

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