Forklifts come in various guises, from models that can only lift 1.5 tons to behemoths that can lift 45 tons. They also have different powertrains i.e. engine types.
The most common of these are forklifts fitted with diesel engines – these are typically used for work that is done outside buildings as diesel fumes are quite harmful. They are also used for larger capacity forklifts which need to lift loads in excess of 5 tons.
Also very common are electric or battery powered (one and the same thing) forklifts. These are more than often used exclusively for indoor applications like warehouses and storage facilities.
The third and last variation are forklifts that have internal combustion engines powered by petrol or LPG. These engines can typically run on both these forms fuel, one form of fuel at a time of course. The engine is fitted with a carburettor or fuel injection to combust petrol and is also fitted with a vaporiser/gas regulator to help in the LPG combustion process.
These forklifts commonly known as gas (powered) forklifts are typically used where the forklift has to work inside and outside. The fumes from the combusted LPG are generally not as noxious as those of diesel, as well as also not producing black soot residues like diesel. The capacity of these forklifts range from 1.8 to 5.0 tons. They are generally not as popular as their diesel counterparts as they are perceived to be less powerful. The cost of LPG can also be prohibitive when compared to diesel.
