Standard-capacity propane-powered forklifts can be adjusted to the demands of the warehouse. So now you can schedule shifts without pushing back shipping deadlines.” Propane gives you the same performance, the same runtimes. “I don't think anybody wants to go outside in that! To the forklifts, it really doesn't matter. year-round and has made some hair-raising trips, including Alaska at -20 degrees and Texas at 105. PERC’s Bunsey visits propane users across the U.S. Big-name equipment companies like Mitsubishi, Caterpillar, Toyota and Clark can be trusted to provide the same quality and durability on this alternative-fueled machine.īatteries on electric forklifts lose capacity in extreme hot or cold temperatures, limiting their run-time. In addition to Hyster-Yale, there are 6 other American-made propane forklifts and several other brands manufactured overseas. “Battery technology is getting better, but it still takes some time, where we can go and we can refuel our propane forklifts in under 10 minutes, or swap a bottle out in five to eight minutes where they can disconnect and refuel and be ready for the next shift.” Twenty-four-hour facilities don’t have the downtime to charge forklifts for 6-8 hours between shifts. Instead, the options become electric forklifts or propane, which has near-zero emissions, and can be used both indoors and outdoors reducing need for different machines for different uses. While Bunsey says the growth in 2023 has been in replacing diesel forklifts for outdoor usage, within the warehouse, diesel is a no-go because of the air quality issues it causes. “When we start to look at electric, that's where we're seeing about 25% to 30% cost increase to get the batteries and chargers.” In that large range of forklift prices mentioned above, propane forklifts don’t demand a higher premium over gasoline models, where diesel can cost more and have more components or more heavy-duty components and electric can command the highest prices. We have emission reduction and affordability tied together, that's what makes a ‘new old’ fuel like propane attractive,” he says.Īnd there are other reasons warehouse operators choose propane-powered forklifts. “We can show savings in fuel costs with propane. While some forklift market activity has begun to decrease, Jim Bunsey, Director of Commercial Business Development for the Propane Education & Research Council ( PERC), says all forklift prices are up 45% in the last three years and propane forklift sales are still increasing “but it's still the diesel displacement.” That's why so many are turning to propane-powered equipment, where savings can be found on fuel and maintenance, where environmental friendliness can mean new business and where schedules can be optimized with limited downtime for refueling or safety. New and used forklift prices are on the rise meaning owners and operators need to be conscious of where they can find ways to maximize the life of their equipment. Today a company could be looking at an investment of $20,000 - $ 6 0,000 on a new single standard-capacity forklift in 2023.Īccording to Hyster-Yale’s latest quarterly earnings report released last week, “ forklift market data indicates that new unit, first-quarter 2023 booking activity decreased … compared with strong prior-year levels but was still ahead of pre-pandemic.” *This content is sponsored by Propane Education & Research Council ( PERC)*įor the past decade, new and used forklift prices have been on the rise, in line with higher steel and aluminum prices and tariffs, higher freight costs, higher warranty costs and, of course, higher demand.
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