Electric forklifts

Description

The electric forklift is suitable for use in warehouses of all sizes and purposes, up to large sites of the A+ category. Usually, palletized cargo weight is up to 1000 kg, so the most common electric forklift models with a maximum capacity of 1500 kg can easily handle loads during an 8-hour shift.

The minimum turning radius allows you to work with racks even in the aisle from 3000 mm. High manoeuvrability and simple electric engine control ensure efficient warehousing in tight spaces. Operation is without the need for frequent maintenance, which is required when using forklifts with internal combustion engines.

Lead-acid, gel or lithium-ion batteries are available as an option. Lead-acid batteries are the most common; they have a wide range of models and are affordable. However, the opera, in this case, will have some nuances. The battery consists of cells filled with a liquid electrolyte. When charging and during operation, it is necessary to constantly monitor the density and level of the liquid and periodically add distilled water to the cells. Neglecting these rules will cause the battery to boil and reduce the accumulator capacity.

In addition, the use of lead-acid batteries generates hydrogen emissions. Therefore, this variant is not suitable for companies with a sanitary protection zone (pharmaceuticals, food processing). A separate charging room is required for the same reason. The average service life of lead-acid batteries is 6 years.

Gel batteries work similarly, but there is a viscous electrolyte inside the cells, which retains harmful fumes and makes these batteries much safer than lead-acid ones. These batteries are also considerably easier to use, as they do not require specific care and maintenance as well as a separate charging room. Besides, gel batteries are more resistant to temperature fluctuations. Their design working life is up to 12 years.

However, high charging voltages severely affect the longevity and capacity of these batteries. Besides, you must reliably protect machinery operating on gel batteries against short circuits. Accordingly, it is necessary to periodically check all internal electrical circuits of the equipment.

It is also possible to fit a forklift with a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. They are characterized primarily by a sealed container of liquid electrolyte, which cannot be released into the environment without critical damage to the protective shell. You can use Li-ion batteries in virtually all applications, including the pharmaceutical and food industries. They are more resistant to low temperatures and are approved for use in freezing chambers, outdoor areas and unheated warehouses in cold months.

The lithium-ion batteries are designed to be recharged at any time without replacing the accumulator and can be partially recharged without severe capacity loss. This allows the forklifts to be used 24/7. You can charge accumulators when they are not in use and it is an advantage to buy two batteries for work in shifts.

Charging a lithium-ion battery requires no special conditions and you can use the batteries without constant monitoring of the electrolyte level and condition. There is no risk of harmful emissions during operation. The design life of Li-Ion batteries is the longest among the above-mentioned analogues and can be up to 15-20 years. The manufacturer warranty for this type of energy storage unit is 3 years.

The only disadvantage of electric forklifts is a relatively high cost. However, this type of equipment is noticeably cheaper in the long term due to the rarer maintenance and the absence of the need to purchase fuel and lubricants.