Whether you have decided to invest in a new or used forklift, or whether you have opted for forklift hire instead, you will have another decision to make before the deal is done. You will have to choose between gas, diesel or electric. We take a look at the pros and cons of each below:
Gas Forklifts
Gas forklifts are incredibly versatile, and many of these models have been created to operate both indoors and outdoors. This is excellent news if your business performs jobs within both environments. Gas forklifts are generally the cheapest to buy; however, while the short term capital layout will be low, fuel and maintenance costs for gas forklifts tend to be higher than that of both diesel and electric forklifts. As such, you will need to weigh up the pros and cons of spending less now and having to invest more at a later stage. For many businesses, such as start-up companies or those that utilise their forklift less often, this set-up will make sense.
Another substantial pro of opting for gas forklifts is the fact that they are generally quieter than diesel forklifts (although not quite as quiet as electric forklifts). They also promise impressive travel and lift speeds.
Diesel Forklifts
While they may cost a bit more initially, diesel forklifts are some of the cheapest forklifts to run due to the fact that diesel, as a fuel source, is more budget-friendly. The maintenance of diesel forklifts is also usually relatively easy on the pocket. This means that diesel forklifts are a great choice for companies that tend to operate their forklift more frequently, as they will not need to stress about high fuel or maintenance costs.
Diesel forklifts are also known to be efficient, helping to promote an increase in productivity. They also tend to come with a larger loading capacity, making them perfect for transporting heavy loads within the industrial sector. However, it is important to keep in mind that most diesel forklifts are not only designed to operate outdoors only but also are usually the noisiest of the forklifts available.
Electric Forklifts
Electric forklifts are extremely quiet to operate, which can be a massive pro! Seeing as though these forklifts are powered by batteries and electricity (you need to charge them), you will never have to worry about making sure that you have enough fuel available or worry about downtime in the event that you run out. Similarly to diesel forklifts, electric forklifts also tend to be much less challenging to maintain and are celebrated for being the ‘greenest’ forklift option. This is a major benefit if your company is known for being eco-conscious and is doing its best to reduce its carbon footprint.
The only downside of investing in electric forklifts is that most of them are only recommended for indoor use.
Universal Forklifts specialises in forklift hire and both new and used forklifts for sale in Ireland. We stock a wide range of gas forklifts, electric forklifts and diesel forklifts. Contact us today for more information.