Propane, electricity, gasoline, diesel, and natural gas are some ways to power your forklifts. All have their pros and cons, so let’s discuss why propane is the most popular choice for fueling our country’s forklift fleets.
Battery-powered forklifts have risen in popularity and someday may be the go-to solution. Today though, the average battery life is only about 5 years. At that time, they must be replaced with either new or refurbished power cells. In addition, many electric forklifts are not suited for outdoor operation, they provide less power as the battery percentage drops, and battery recharging may lead to more downtime on the job site (typical recharge time is 8 hours). Finally, as the battery ages, it will hold less of a charge and, consequently, will require more frequent recharging.
Gasoline and diesel are popular choices, however, due to the high emissions of both, indoor operation is not safe. Fuel cost and the potential for fuel spills on site are other causes for concern. One more negative (and possible hazard) is that a large fuel storage tank is needed on-site in order to conveniently refill your forklifts.
Natural gas has not made much headway due to the fact that Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is not as readily available as other fuels. It also provides less power than its internal combustion engine counterparts. Perhaps the greatest drawback of CNG is its high burn rate. This simply means more fuel must be burned in order to produce the same amount of energy as other fuels.
On the other hand, due to its lower emissions compared to gasoline and diesel, propane can be used both indoors and outdoors. A standard 33 lb. tank can typically last a full 8-hour shift with no drop in power as the tank runs lower. It is readily available and only takes a few minutes to swap out a tank. Compared to other combustible fuels, propane burns the most efficiently.
At Keystone’s dock, customers pay a per-cylinder price. This means that fills are billed by the tank, even if there is product remaining in it. However, Keystone also offers a more cost-effective, favorable solution. We can set you up with the tanks you need to keep your business running. Then, based on your needs, we periodically come to your business and fill your tanks using our trucks. By doing this, you only pay for the gallons used, not a flat rate that masks your consumption. This is just one way Keystone looks out for our customers.
Become a customer today and discover the many other ways we can help you. Keystone Propane, Your Trusted Partner.
