There was a day when the mention of forklifts powered by electricity but internal combustion (IC) engines was laughed at.
No serious warehouse or storage yard considered using alternate energy sources in place of proven gasoline, diesel or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels that fired their IC forklifts.
Forklifts need power, they thought. Forklifts also need speed, high lift, and climbing ability. They need to run all day without downtime and be able to function outside in rough terrain during inclement weather. That was the view of most forklift owners and operators - at least, that was the view until their perceptions were proven wrong.
In the past, electric battery-powered forklifts have taken a stronghold in the lift truck and material handling environment and for good reasons. The advantages of a forklift powered by electricity now far outweigh the disadvantages. The limitations and drawbacks that once made electric forklifts inefficient and impractical have been put to rest by advancing technologies and proven performance.
Increasingly, a number of industrial companies are switching to electric forklifts, because energy-efficient, environmentally friendly machines can do virtually anything emissions producing IC forklifts do. Electric forklifts are a realistic alternative to liquid-fueled lift trucks and are more economical to operate, equally powerful, easier to maintain, safer, quieter, and cleaner.
Companies planning to purchase, replace, or upgrade their current forklift capabilities must first assess their operational needs and ask some basic questions about the service required from their forklift.
That's the first step in deciding whether the advantages of an electric forklift give a better payback over IC lifts.
In every other question, the performance, costs and safety considerations can be met or exceeded by buying or renting an electric forklift. There once was a notable difference in performance between electric forklift and IC truck performance but, nowadays, technology has given electric forklifts a leading edge in the commercial forklift market.
About 30 years ago, electric forklifts didn't have the power, speed or longevity that ICE trucks provided. That's changed and no longer true. Where in the 1990s the market was 60 percent ICE powered lifts and 40 percent electric, now the market share has reversed. Today, 60 percent of forklifts are electric and only 40 percent are fossil-fueled.
The reason is simply that technological advancements have made electric forklifts compete and exceed on so many levels. The pros of an electric forklift far outweigh the cons, and one of the top advantages of an electric forklift truck is the operating costs.
Studies prove that electric forklifts are cheaper to operate and maintain compared to IC forklifts. In their lifetime, electric forklifts cost less for fuel, require lower maintenance as they have fewer moving parts, need fewer fluids to replace like engine oil, coolant, and filters, and have considerably fewer lost hours from maintenance downtime and breakdown.
For example, a study in Ohio found the cost to recharge an electric forklift can range from $1.50 to $4.50 per eight-hour shift while the cost of operating a liquid propane gas (LPG) lift runs between $18 to $25 per bottle fill. These rates depend upon location, but it's clear that energy-consumption costs for an electric forklift are far less.
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Technology has replaced the old direct current (DC) electric motors exclusively with modern alternating current (AC) motors. Outdated DC motors were underpowered and were only able to draw power from the available battery voltage. As the battery charge reduced, so did the motor's power output and the machine got weaker as the shift progressed. Few DC electric forklifts could survive a full day's duration, especially in heavy applications, and the downtime to recharge was unacceptable.
Forklifts with AC motors maintain their performance as battery voltage reduces. The operator can rely on full power throughout the shift until the voltage is so low the battery requires recharging or swapping out with a fresh one. AC motors are highly energy-efficient and their outstanding performance is boosted by advancements in battery technology.
Electric-powered forklifts use several different types of energy storing and supplying batteries. Forklift batteries are large, weighty and expensive compared to automotive batteries. However, a lot more electric draw is expected to operate a heavy forklift than to start a car.
Most forklift batteries are lead-acid based, where electricity is stored in liquid-filled cells and supplied by cables to the electric motor. Hawker, an American-based battery manufacturer, is the world's leading brand of lead-acid batteries and stays on the cutting edge of technology to provide highly efficient, low-cost, environmentally friendly and dependable motive power solutions.
Hawker offers WATERLESS, ENERGY-PLUS, ENVIRLINK, POWERLINE and TOP POWER products that provide the advantage of forklift batteries that are cost-effective, safe and virtually maintenance-free. Hawker batteries are also quick to recharge, especially when used with their high-frequency smart chargers.
Quick charging from Hawker batteries allows an electric forklift to be topped up during shift breaks. Spare batteries can also be changed in less time than it takes to refill the bottle or tank on an IC forklift. Greater operating time and far less cost are two of the biggest advantages of today's electric forklifts. However, cost and efficiency aren't the only big advantages electric forklifts have to offer. These green machines are easy on the environment as well as on the health and safety of workers.
Stay ahead of the curve with our electric forklift training program. Get the specialized skills needed to operate and maintain electric forklifts safely and efficiently, contributing to a greener and more efficient workplace.
Traditional counter-balance forklifts are not always the best solution to your warehouse storage needs. Sometimes, you need a more compact and agile tool to maneuver pallets. Pallet jacks offer this solution. Whether electric or manual, they allow you to load and unload pallets in tight spaces that require maximum maneuverability.
One type of pallet jack, the high-lift pallet jack, adds the ability to load and unload from locations traditional pallet jacks cannot. While this tool is not right for all situations, it can be extremely helpful in certain scenarios. Here are the biggest benefits of using this type of pallet jack in your warehouse.
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Accessibility to Hard-to-Reach Areas.
A high-lift pallet jack, as its name implies, has greater reach than does a traditional pallet jack. This ability comes in the form of a scissor lift: Criss-crossing metal supports that raise and lower the machine’s platform.
With the scissor lift function, this pallet jack can raise and lower pallets from otherwise inaccessible locations. This ability to access hard-to-reach locations combines with the pallet jack’s naturally compact shape. As a result, you can implement and use vertical storage while maintaining minimal space between aisles.
Reduced Injury Risk.
Repetitive motion, like constant bending and stretching to pick orders or load and unload pallets, can lead to injury in your employees over time. These injuries can lead to greater worker compensation costs, increased downtime, and distress for the employees who suffer these injuries. In addition, the constant bending and stretching can be time-consuming and uncomfortable for employees, leading to reduced productivity and reduced morale.
A pallet jack with high lifting abilities reduces the risk of this type of injury by taking over these bending and stretching activities. Its compact nature makes it capable of handling pallets close to the ground. Its scissor lift capability allows it to reach high places. As a result, you can complete repetitive tasks more quickly and with less risk of injury, which can improve both your employees’ work experience and your bottom line.
Versatile Task Completion
A pallet jack with high lift capabilities, like any tool, cannot be used in every possible application within the warehouse. However, it does have the advantage of being suitable for a wide variety of warehouse tasks that go beyond the capabilities of a traditional pallet jack.
For example, as mentioned above, this tool can access elevated locations in the warehouse for loading or unloading pallets. You may be able to store pallets on additional pallet racking shelves and thereby increase the amount of storage in your warehouse as a result.
This pallet jack’s lifting abilities also make it a useful tool for unloading certain machinery, such as conveyor belts or feed presses. As a result, you enjoy greater efficiency as this tool allows your employees to more quickly and easily complete tasks around the warehouse. Other tasks that this type of pallet jack can complete include certain types of order picking and heavy load handling.
Narrow Space Maneuvering with the High Lift Pallet Jack
In addition, this type of pallet jack is suitable for narrow or tight spaces where a traditional forklift does not fit. Its compact shape allows it to fit in very narrow aisles. At the same time, its vertical scissor lift function allows it to reach high places in your warehouse without taking up additional space in the aisle. Its use of hydraulics also makes it very powerful despite its small size. As a result, it provides narrow space maneuverability without compromising on power and function. These applications make it a versatile tool and a smart investment for many warehouses. It can load and unload large or multiple pallets, access elevated spaces, obtain merchandise from close to the ground, and more, all within a small space.
Cost Effectiveness
Pallet jacks in general are much less expensive than are traditional counter-balance forklifts. The reason for their low costs is the fact that they are smaller, easier to operate, and easier to maintain than are their larger counterparts.
The high-lift pallet jack in particular, however, can save your warehouse money. How? Because it possesses all the cost-saving features of the traditional pallet jack while adding functionality and versatility, as described above.
As a result, you can pay a lower price for this type of pallet jack than for a counter-balance forklift and get more use out of it than you would with a traditional pallet jack. For example, instead of purchasing a reach truck for high places and a traditional forklift for other jobs, you may be able to use this type of pallet jack for both applications. As a result, you enjoy a cost-effective solution that replaces both lift trucks for less money than either one would have cost.
A high-lift pallet jack offers warehouses a versatile tool for managing pallets and storage. Thanks to its compact shape, lower costs, and low maintenance requirements, the pallet jack is a smart investment for many warehouses. Adding a scissor lift capability allows this tool to take the place of some traditional forklifts and reach trucks, at a much lower price. Other advantages, such as accessibility to hard-to-reach places, reduced injury risk, versatile task completion, and narrow space maneuvering also make these desirable warehouse tools.
Whenever you need any warehouse management solutions or tools, do not hesitate to reach out to Darr. We offer trained technicians, industry expertise, reliable new and used forklifts, and more to ensure that you get the equipment you need.
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