How to Choose a Forklift by Fuel Types - Bobcat Company

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When choosing a forklift, the main criteria to consider are the carrying capacity, lifting height, type of motor, tire composition and operator ergonomics.

There are several types of motor available:

• electric motors
• combustion engine:  gasoline;  diesel; LPG (liquid petroleum gas); CNG (compressed natural gas);
• hybrid motors (combustion/electric)

The specificity of your work site is a determining factor in choosing the right equipment:

• indoor or outdoor operation
• height constraints
• the accessibility of the elements to be transported

Counterbalance forklift

This type of forklift is preferred for extremely heavy loads. A dense mass at the rear of the machine counterbalances the load on the front fork. Mainly used indoors and on smooth surfaces, this type of forklift is equipped with adjustable support legs. Counterbalance forklifts are most commonly used in warehouses. They are also available in a three-wheel version, useful in confined spaces.

Reach forklift

Reach forklifts offer maximum lifting capacity with incredible maneuverability and, for these reasons, they are best suited to recovering goods stored high in warehouses, logistics companies or distribution centres. Reach forklifts are designed to operate in narrow aisles.
The mast stabilizes the forklift by holding the cab and driver on one side with the fork and forklift on the other.

The order picker: ideal for handling, lifting and stacking. Its load capacity is about 1 to 2 tonnes. This type of forklift’s advantages include good travel speed and maximum comfort of use. It is only suitable for leveled ground with a maximum slope between 5 and 10%. It is designed to optimize the picking of stock on both sides of a warehouse corridor.

For more Lpg Forkliftinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

The electric three-wheel counterbalance forklift: one or two guiding wheels are mounted centrally under the counterweight. The advantage of three-wheel electric systems is that they offer a smaller turning radius than traditional four-wheel electric forklifts.

The electric four-wheel counterbalance forklift:  a guiding wheel at each rear corner is controlled by a double-acting hydraulic cylinder. This type of forklift offers more stability when turning, it is suitable for difficult applications on construction sites and in warehouses. Its load capacity ranges from 1,000 to 3,500 kg. It is recommended for heavy lifting applications such as the installation of machines and tools. It can however also be used for retail stores, hardware stores and other light work.

The articulated forklift: the fork rotates on a joint and can be tilted. It is recommended for use in narrow warehouses and for loading and unloading trailers.

The side-loading forklift:  historically the first forklift specially designed for handling long loads.

The multi-directional forklift: it has dethroned the side-loading forklift. The operator is able to maneuver long loads with increased accuracy in all directions.

The all-terrain forklift: designed for intensive use, it can lift loads from 1 to 50 tonnes. Fast, heavy-duty and versatile, it is designed to be used in natural environments.

In order to choose the maximum lifting capacity that meets your requirements, it is essential to ask yourself the following questions:

• What will the forklift handle?
• What is your average load weight (in kg)?
• What is the heaviest load you will have to lift?
• What are the dimensions of your loads (in m)?

The type of load is also important. Specific accessories are designed to improve the capacity of standard forklifts and help you move the load more efficiently. The dimensions of the load determine its point of application as well as the length of the forks. Be aware that the longer the forks, the lower the lifting height.

The forklift’s ergonomics for the driver

To reduce the difficulty of the work, it is ideal is to choose a spacious cab in order to facilitate changing positions for the forklift driver, provide easy entry and exit as well as easy movement of the spine and head for better visibility. It is also recommended to avoid vibrations and therefore to drive on smooth, unobstructed ground, to reduce the speed from 9 to 6 km/h during loading/unloading operations, and to drive with wheels in good condition.

Pneumatics

For more information, please visit Electric Material Handling Machine.

• Soft solid tires: a radial metal carcass with a thick layer of rubber for indoor and outdoor use, long distance, comfort and good ground support.
• Cushion tires: for indoor use, designed for heavy loads, good ground stability, three times longer service life than soft solid tires.
• Non-marking tires: for indoor use, do not leave any marks.
• Puncture-proof tires: recommended for surfaces that are not very homogeneous or unstable, they are puncture-proof.