Regardless if you are thinking of expanding your business fleet of forklifts or if you are just starting with your very first lift truck, the number of choices that go into selecting a second-hand or brand new forklift can really be overwhelming. There is such a huge variety of choices like for instance internal combustion or IC engines, electric units or the latest hybrid lifts. Taking time to know your needs and get what you want out of your machinery in order to facilitate unloading and loading applications for your dock or warehouse is crucial.
Of course a large consideration like with most big purchases is the upfront cost. Be sure to think about the long term expense associated with utilizing your forklift. For instance, keep in mind that your biggest expense in this category is going to be the expense to fuel and run your lift truck.
Among the existing IC forklifts available on the market nowadays, the diesel unit tends to offer some of the least expensive fuel and operating costs. These forklifts could easily out-power and out-lift your average electric forklift.
Similar to all lift truck units, there are many advantages and disadvantages associated with diesel forklifts. The following is a brief buying guide for diesel forklift units in order to help you cut through the confusion and help determine the unit best for all your requirements. By knowing about the potential pitfalls, you would be prepared to make a wise purchase.
More than likely the biggest advantage enjoyed with diesel forklifts is their low operating expense. Typically, diesel is the cheapest fuel option for internal combustion lifts. Though electric lifts are cheaper in the long run, they don't necessarily work the best outdoors.
Although diesel lift trucks are great for outdoor use, they are however not utilized correctly indoors. The emissions from a diesel units can be dangerous if not correctly ventilated in an indoor warehouse. Moreover, diesel forklifts are significantly louder compared to their emission-free electric counterparts.