Electric forklift is the much-needed innovation which has become the ‘need of the hour’ due to the rising pollution levels in all the urban areas. Offering a shift from the conventional diesel or gas fuel types, battery-operated forklifts have paved the way for environmentally-friendly warehouse operations. These machines are powered by an electric motor which utilises batteries that need regular charging. So if you are opting for sustainable business processes, then you must purchase electric forklifts for sale in Brisbane. However, you need to make sure that the machine you are buying aligns with your requirements, enhances productivity and fits within your budget. Besides these common factors, you need to know more about the electric forklifts to choose the best among the lot. Here is a rundown on their types and features.
Types of Electric Forklifts
Counterbalance
The counterbalance forklifts are versatile and most commonly used machines as they can manage high volume loads and are suitable for all kinds of terrains. They have higher ground clearance and are quite fast. They are also easy to manoeuvre and thus quite popular.
Pallet Mover
You can call it the electric variant of a pallet jack. It can rise up to 100mm, and its load capacity is 1- 2.5 tonnes. It is used for quick transportation of stock and usually has a 12-24 volt battery.
Order Pickers
These forklifts are known for raising the operator up along with the carriage which allows them to lift stock from a pallet without returning to the ground.
Walkie Stacker
These forklifts come equipped with two straddle legs which can be extended on either side of the load. It has a small operator side which reduces the need for a big counterbalance. Also, it is very easy to handle and thus can be operated by anyone with a little training. You don’t need a licence to drive this machine either.
Walkie Stacker With Reach
This forklift includes a hydraulic circuit which powers the reach function. The carriage and tunes are mounted on a scissor styled boom and when the reach lever is pressed the carriage stretches out of the forklift.
Reach Forklifts
This model offers a sideways view, as the operator is mounted on the side. The machine can be controlled with the help of a joystick. It comes with big straddle arms and a robust mast which ensure a maximum load capacity of two tonnes. It requires a 36 or 48-volt battery with a three-phase charger. Some of its variants can lift load up to 12m and can move around in tight circles making them ideal for warehouse operations.
Basic Features Of An Electric Forklift
With their zero emissions and quiet operations, electric forklifts are often utilised in food based industries. When purchasing these cost-effective machines, you must know about their critical attributes. Take a look at the list below.
Drive Motor
It is an electric motor which moves the tyres back and forth on the command of the speed control function. In electric forklifts, the drive motor is located just next to the tyres, which reduces the loss of driveline power and thus increases consistency.
Hydraulic System
The hydraulic system allows the hydraulic rams to move the mast up as well as lower it. It works on tilting the mast and helping in the material handling functions. It gets powered by the hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic motor.
Hydraulic Motor
The hydraulic motor is present underneath the floor of a counterbalance forklift and powers up the hydraulic system.
Tyres
Since the electric forklifts are meant for indoor and warehouse usage, their tyres are essentially made from non-marking rubber or urethane so that they do not damage the surface of the operational area.
Battery
In electric forklifts, the battery is the most vital part of the machine which needs to be charged overnight. It manages the functioning of the drive motors which move the forklift backward and forward, lifting and tilting of the mast, and powering of the lights and the horn. These batteries are made from lead and acid and are known as traction batteries. You can find a plethora of voltage variations in the batteries in the market and pick one according to the size of your machine and nature of work.
Counterweight
The counterweight is an essential part of the counterbalance forklifts as it keeps the load on the tynes in the front so that the machine doesn’t topple over. With electric forklifts, the weight of the battery helps in balancing the act of moving heavy loads. Thus the counterweight is usually smaller for this type of forklifts for hire in Queensland.
Endnote
With lower running costs and less frequent maintenance requirements, electric forklifts have become an advantageous tool extended to businesses. Thus if you are planning to pick an electric forklift for sale in Brisbane, then you must acquaint yourself with the information mentioned above to choose the right machine.