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Version française
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Version anglaise du
texte
More than 500,000 forklifts are
powered by propane in factories and warehouses. And it's no wonder.
Propane-powered forklifts provide operational options and economic
advantages that make them a clear choice for your material handling
needs.
The
reasons for choosing propane forklifts and for converting existing
gasoline forklifts to operate on propane are plentiful.
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Environmentally Friendly: Propane is a
non-toxic,
clean-burning fuel that can be used to safely power forklifts both
indoors and outdoors. With propane, there is no spillage loss or
evaporation into the atmosphere.
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Safe: Propane forklift tanks, fuel lines and carburetion
components meet or exceed strict specifications. Built-in safety
devices automatically shut off the flow of fuel in case of an
accident.
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Versatile: Propane forklifts can be used in indoor and
outdoor applications. Propane is the most portable fuel —
cylinders can be stored and moved virtually anywhere within a work
site.
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Strong: Propane forklifts maintain consistent, 100-percent
power throughout operation. They have the ability to push and pull
heavy loads at full capacity, up and down inclines, for a longer
amount of time, and with better ground speeds than electric
forklifts.
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Easy Refueling: Propane forklifts require very little
refueling time compared to natural gas-powered and electric
forklifts.
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Economical: From an investment
standpoint, propane
forklifts offer an economical way to meet material handling needs.
Propane forklifts have lower life-cycle costs than electric, diesel
or gasoline-powered forklifts.
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Low Maintenance: Propane produces fewer engine deposits
than gasoline and diesel fuel, resulting in lower maintenance costs.
Propane engines can typically last up to twice as long as gasoline
engines.
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Comparison
of Forklift Attributes
| Fuel |
Versatility |
Cost |
| Propane |
•
Indoor and outdoor use
• Capable of handling rugged, unpaved, outdoor terrain, and
steep grades
• Can operate in inclement weather
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•
Lower initial investment costs than comparable electric, CNG or
diesel forklifts
• Lower maintenance costs than diesel and electric forklifts
• Inexpensive cylinder exchange or onsite fuel storage
• Pilfer-proof; reduced loss from spillage and evaporation
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| Diesel |
•
Predominantly outdoor use only |
•
Additional cost due to pilfering, spillage losses, evaporation |
| CNG |
•
Similar to propane |
•
Recertification costs: CNG cylinders must be recertified every
three years
• Establishments with CNG forklift fleet may require major
capital investment of up to $40,000 in refueling station
• If the electric service goes down, the CNG compressor
station will not work resulting in a potentially significant
production loss
• CNG compressors are expensive to overhaul
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| Electricity |
•
Typically for indoor use
• Operate only on paved or hard surfaces
• Cannot handle steep inclines
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Higher
initial investment due to:
• Extra equipment such as batteries, charger, and battery
hoist, battery charging and wash down rooms
• Additional indoor space for recharger and battery storage
• Labor costs for changing batteries for second and third
shifts
• Ventilated storage area is required for batteries
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| Gasoline |
Typically
for outdoor use |
•
Additional cost due to pilfering, spillage losses, evaporation
• High costs to upgrade on-site fuel storage
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Comparison
of Forklift Operating Characteristics
| Fuel |
Power |
Approximate
Operating Time (Per Tank or Battery) |
Maintenance |
| Propane |
•
Speed (max): 9.5-10.5 mph
• Lift (loaded): 83-88 fpm
• Maintains 100% power consistently throughout full operation
|
8
hours (1 shift) |
•
Easy maintenance
• Maintenance intervals may be extended because of propane's
clean-burning characteristics
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| Diesel |
•
Speed (max): 9.5-10.5 mph
• Lift (loaded): 83-88 fpm
|
8
hours (1 shift) |
•
Requires expensive oil changes
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| CNG |
•
Speed (max): 9.5-10.5 mph
• Lift (loaded): 74-78 fpm
|
2-4
hours (¼- ½ shift) |
•
Requires frequent refueling
• CNG compressors will require expensive overhaul
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| Electricity |
•
Speed (max): 8-9 mph
• Lift (loaded): 83-88 fpm
• Loses power as battery discharges
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6-8
hours (¾- 1 shift) |
•
Requires additional training
• Maintenance intervals depend on conditions
• Must operate in a controlled environment (e.g., not in the
rain)
• Second and third shifts requires labor for battery change
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| Gasoline |
•
Speed (max): 9.5-10.5 mph
• Lift (loaded): 83-88 fpm
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8
hours (1 shift) |
•
Requires more frequent oil changes than propane
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Source:
National Propane Gas Association
There are seven classes of forklifts:
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Class 1: Electric
motor, sit-down rider, counterbalanced trucks
(both solid and pneumatic tires) |
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Class 2: Electric
motor, narrow aisle trucks (solid tires) |
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Class 3: Electric motor hand trucks or hand/rider trucks (solid
tires) |
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Class 4: Internal combustion engine trucks (solid tires) |
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Class 5: Internal combustion engine trucks
(pneumatic tires) |
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Class 6: Electric & internal combustion engine tractors (both
solid and pneumatic tires) |
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Class 7: Rough terrain forklift trucks
(pneumatic tires) |
Propane forklifts are primarily Class 4 and Class 5 forklifts.
MSDSpropane
Info_an.pdf Infos an.
Propane, propriété, mésures de sécurité, etc.
FDSPropane15Sept03_fr.pdf Fiche de données de sécurité Propane fr.
Classement des chariots selon l'Industrial Truck
Association (ITA) Voir: classement_chariots
19.04.2008 22:15:42
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