When is it worth choosing a combustion forklift?

Forklifts are some of the most versatile machines. They come in many variants with diffelease structures and capabilities. One of the important criteria for their division is the type of drive - electric or combustion. Check what advantages combustion forklifts have and when they work best.

Combustion forklift – the most important information

Forklifts are divided into electric and internal combustion. The former are powered by the battery. Combustion forklifts are powered by an engine:

  • petrol,
  • diesel (Diesel),
  • gas (LPG or CNG).

The most important feature that distinguishes internal combustion forklifts from electric ones is exhaust emissions. Electric models do not emit them, so they can be used indoors. Due to the harmful fumes, combustion forklifts can only be used outdoors. The exception are modern, expensive and rare models with advanced filters. So if you are looking for equipment to be used indoors, a combustion forklift will not be suitable. So when is it worth choosing it? Read on to find out.

Internal combustion forklift – for continuous operation

A combustion forklift is perfect for, among others: when you need equipment for continuous operation. Unlike an electric wheelchair, it does not need breaks for charging or replacing the battery. Just add fuel to continue working. Thanks to this, the implementation of intended tasks can be carried out more efficiently and without disruptions. This means that a combustion forklift will be the best choice whenever you want continuity of work.

Ignition forklift – high power for difficult tasks

Combustion forklifts are often also suitable for more difficult tasks. The models with combustion engines have the highest power. Thanks to this, they have greater load capacities and ranges, which means that they can transport heavy loads and lift them to significant heights. In addition, they can reach higher speeds and cope better on uneven surfaces. They often easily cope with work where electric wheelchairs are simply not enough. Therefore, a combustion forklift is best suited for demanding tasks.

Special combustion forklifts for difficult terrain

Because of that combustion forklifts are designed for outdoor work, it is often necessary to use them in difficult terrain. Thanks to their high-power engines, they usually move very well over bumps. However, there are also models designed specifically for working on uneven or even muddy terrain. These are off-road forklifts equipped with wide and thick tires and flexible suspension or even mounted on tracks. Thanks to this, they can handle any situation and, despite their large weight, do not sink into soft ground - even with additional loads. Appropriate suspension also allows you to safely transport loads, regardless of the conditions.

Also read: 4×4 forklifts for special tasks

rough terrain forklift at work on the farm
Combustion forklifts are often designed to operate in difficult terrain. Thanks to additional equipment, they can also perform many diffelease functions.

Combustion forklift – wide range of applications

All the above features enable the use of combustion forklifts for many diffelease purposes - not only transporting and lifting loads on pallets. They are used not only in warehouses and logistics centers, but also on construction sites, forestry and agriculture. They can also be equipped with additional equipment that makes them suitable for various types of work. If necessary, a combustion forklift can, for example, become a mini excavator or a snow plow - just replace the forks with appropriate equipment. Therefore, this type of machine is perfect for places where flexibility and efficiency are needed. The wide use of combustion forklifts also means that they save money that would otherwise have to be spent on purchasing other specialized equipment.

Petrol forklift – buy it or lease it

Internal combustion forklifts are widely available for those who want to buy their own machine, as well as for those who prefer to lease. They are usually slightly more expensive than electric wheelchairs, although leaseal prices for models with similar capabilities and parameters are similar, regardless of the drive type. Used combustion forklifts are also much cheaper. In the case of combustion forklifts, an "all-in" leaseal may be slightly more cost-effective, as these models are more prone to breakdowns. When leaseing, you don't have to worry about service or repair costs or downtime due to breakdowns. Servicing is included in the price of the service, and in the event of a failure, you can receive replacement equipment.

Check also: Forklift leaseal – what to pay attention to when leaseing a forklift?