There are quite a few applications where lithium-ion batteries make sense to power your forklifts – but some are garnering more attention than others.

The cold storage industry is the most obvious because of lithium’s ability to perform in a wide range of temperatures and environments.

In cold storage, lead acid batteries don’t perform as well because of condensation, and also because cold temperatures impede the chemical reaction in lead-acid batteries that releases electricity to power the forklift.

While this can also happen in lithium-ion batteries, the temperature of LiBs can be more easily regulated to combat this outcome. For example, unlike lead-acid batteries, LiBs can be manufactured with heaters installed to endure cold environments, and some LiBs feature active cooling elements to help in extreme heat applications.

Many lithium-ion batteries come with a rating of IP65 or greater, meaning the battery’s internal components are protected from water and condensation, as well as in temperatures as low as minus-31 degrees.

The main reason condensation isn’t an issue in lithium-ion batteries is the fact the cells are completely sealed and free from air. Lead-acid batteries are vented with air space in the cells, which allows condensation to form and impacts the chemical balance of the battery.

Lithium-ion cells operate most effectively in temperatures ranging from -4 degrees up to 140 degrees. But certain lithium chemistry combinations can expand that range – allowing LiBs to function better and last longer in extreme conditions.

A battery with a chemistry of lithium-iron phosphate or nickel cadmium, for example, performs better in cold applications than other types – effective in temperatures as low as -25 degrees. For high-temperature applications, nickel-metal hydride cells perform best – operating in temperatures up to 275 degrees.

If you use electric forklifts for applications where extreme temperatures are present, making the shift to lithium-ion technology may be the right solution for you.

Original post HERE

Your forklift battery is the powerhouse of your electric forklift. On average, with proper care and maintenance, a forklift battery lasts about 5 to 7 years. To safely get the most out of your forklift battery, check out the 8 recommendations below.

1. Dress appropriately for handling batteries  

Because forklift batteries are made from corrosive chemicals that can burn your eyes and skin, make sure to be dressed appropriately when handling batteries. Make sure to wear safety googles, rubber gloves, steel-toed boots, and an apron. Do not wear metallic jewelry.

2. Use the right handling equipment for moving batteries.

Forklift batteries are heavy. Smaller batteries can weigh 100-200lbs, but larger ones can weigh as much as 3,000lb. So, always use the appropriate handling equipment such as a battery lifting beam when lifting or moving batteries. Also, always make sure that the battery is properly secured before lifting or moving.

3. Handle and charge batteries in a designated area.

Having a designated area for handling and charging batteries is an OSHA-recommended best practice. When you charge your forklift battery, potentially flammable gases may be emitted. Having a designated, well-ventilated area prevents gas build-up. This designated area should also have eyewash and shower stations in the event of acid splashes and exposure.

4. Perform battery inspections and maintenance.

Batteries need to be inspected as a part of your daily OSHA-required forklift inspections. When inspecting your forklift battery, be sure to check your fluid levels. Make sure that the charging cables are intact, insulated, and connected. Look for cracks in the battery casing and for crystallization and corrosion. The battery’s contact posts should be clean.

5. Charge your batteries properly.

Properly charging your forklift battery is the best way to extend the life of your battery. A battery has a limited number of charge cycles in it, usually about 1,500 charges. Take care not to opportunity charge your battery. Flooded batteries should have 8 hours of run time, 8 hours of charge time, and 8 hours of cool-down time. If your operations require opportunity charging, see your battery supplier for the appropriate battery and charger combination for this type of charging capability.

To properly charge your battery, follow the below tips:

• • Make sure that your battery and your battery charger are compatible.
  • Be sure that the charger is off before connecting or disconnecting your battery.
  • Charge your battery when it hits 20% charge remaining. Do not charge the battery before it hits this red zone.
  • Always charge your battery completely. Partially charging your battery will count against your battery’s total number of charge cycles. Never interrupt a charging flooded type battery! (Unless you have an opportunity charger and battery combination.)
  • Avoid extreme temperatures when charging your battery. Charging and operating your battery in extreme temperatures will greatly reduce your battery’s life.
  • Allow your battery to cool down after charging. If you have a flooded or wet cell battery, you can follow the battery cycle of 8 hours charging, 8 hours cooling down, and 8 hours of working.

6. Check and maintain your battery’s fluid level.

As you use and charge your forklift battery, the fluid level of your battery decreases. That is why you should check the fluid level of your battery daily. You should add deionized or distilled water to your battery about every five to ten charges. Fill the cell with just enough water to cover the battery plate, usually about ¼” over the plate. Always add this water after charging, but never before charging. Also, do not overfill your battery because the water needs room to expand when the battery is in use.

7. Equalize your battery regularly.

Flooded, or wet cell, batteries need to be equalized on a regular basis. Over time, the water and acid in your battery become stratified. When this happens, your battery will not hold a charge well. By equalizing your battery, the electrolyte concentrate is rebalanced, and any buildup of sulfate crystals on the battery plate gets removed. Be sure to use a battery charger that has an equalizing setting.

8. Clean your battery regularly.

The top of your forklift battery needs to be cleaned regularly with battery cleaner or warm water regularly. Doing so is not only good maintenance practice; it can also help you maintain your battery’s manufacturer’s warranty. Also, cleaning can help you avoid battery build-up which can lead to tray corrosion and faster self-discharge.

Taking care of your forklift battery is greatly beneficial for your forklift and for your business’s bottom line. View original post HERE

Your business relies on you to ensure your operation has the power to run smoothly and efficiently. Advances in technology of both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries can make a great addition that can help to increase productivity and reduce downtime and maintenance costs, depending on your specific application. However, forklift batteries don’t last forever. Understanding when and how to properly dispose of your forklift battery is crucial to ensuring the success of your operation.

Signs Your Forklift Battery May Need Replaced

Using a bad forklift battery not only slows down your operation, but it can cause further damage to your equipment. Use these tips to identify if your battery needs replaced.

1. Corrosion
2. Failure to hold a charge
3. Spilled acid
4. Excessive sulfated batteries

Recycling Forklift Batteries

If you recognize that you’re in the market for a new battery, you can’t simply throw your old battery away. Batteries contain harmful toxins and corrosive materials such as mercury, cadmium, lithium, and lead that can negatively impact the environment and our health. Instead, they should be recycled.

Lead-acid batteries

When lead-acid batteries are recycled, the battery itself is separated into pieces and placed in a melting vat, where the heavy metal components are melted down and the melted plastic floats to the top. The acid from the battery can be neutralized and safely turned into water, or converted into sodium sulfate, which is commonly used to make fabrics and laundry detergent. The plastic components can even be reused to make new battery cases.

Lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries can present a number of risks when not handled properly. Due to these risks, the U.S. Department of Transportation carefully monitors the handling, transferring, documenting, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries. In order to recycle a lithium-ion battery safely, the battery must first undergo a full discharge of its metallic lithium contents to prevent potential fires that can occur if it comes into contact with moisture.

Here are some of the recommendations you should consider when preparing your forklift battery for transport. While this list may not be comprehensive, it does contain a few steps to remember as you recycle LiBs.

• Seal the battery cap tightly to prevent liquid from spilling during transport.
• Always wear the appropriate PPE when handling batteries or other hazardous equipment. This may include gloves, goggles, etc.
• Separate the battery terminals with wood or cardboard to prevent them from sparking off of one another, which could start a fire.
• Secure the battery firmly during transport to prevent sliding.

Designated recycling locations for both lithium-ion and lead-acid battery vary depending on the manufacturer of the battery, type of battery, and the state you are in.

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Electric forklifts can be beneficial in many different work indoor applications (and now even outdoors with Toyota’s 80-Volt Electric Pneumatic Forklift). Using electric forklifts in your warehouse is one of the most common uses of these machines and for good reason. Electric warehouse forklifts can reduce fuel costs and be charged at intervals that can maximize efficiency across shifts. Take a look at some of the following benefits electric forklifts could have in your warehouse space.

Electric Warehouse Forklift Benefits

LESS NOISE

You may not think about it, but having a quieter forklift may impact you or your operator’s ability to operate safely and effectively in certain applications. In smaller, confined spaces, with multiple forklifts running, it could get pretty loud. With electric forklifts, it lowers the noise level, allowing for easier communication, and less fatigue from your operators. Really, the only noise that electric forklifts have is the horn. In certain warehouses, this can make it easier for operators and pedestrians to hear forklift horns, co-workers, or other important workplace sounds.

LOWER EMISSIONS

When you are using a gas or LPG burning forklift, you are producing emissions that could be harmful to your associates and products if not properly addressed. Electric forklifts do not generate any CO emissions. This helps keep your employees healthy and lower the impact of emissions in your warehouse.

Certain products can also be harmed by emissions including food items, other perishables, and various consumer products. Toyota electric forklifts come in a wide variety of lifting capacities to fit many different applications. Also, fewer emissions are great for the environment!

If you are using a gas or LPG forklift in your warehouse instead of electrics, we understand there are many reasons that might have influenced that decision, and Toyota is the U.S. leader in internal combustion forklifts. However, make sure you are using proper ventilation techniques if you’re using one in your warehouse.

A WIDE RANGE OF OPTIONS

Because your warehouse needs to maximize space, it could be hard to fit a full-sized forklift down your narrow aisles. An electric warehouse forklift can help solve that issue. At Toyota, we have many different electric forklifts to fit your needs. Maybe you need to squeeze in those narrow aisles? The 3-wheel electric would be perfect. It has a tighter turn radius than most forklifts but still has the capacity to lift up to 4,000 lbs. Maybe your warehouse stacks pallets behind each other. This is where reach trucks work great. Being able to place pallets in front of each other makes sure you are maximizing your warehouse space and racking. No matter what type of warehouse blueprint you have, Toyota Material Handling has an electric forklift to fit your needs!

OPERATING COST

When it comes to the operating cost of forklifts, electric forklifts can usually be lower than that of internal combustion models. While IC models run on gas, electric forklifts run on, well, electricity! You may need to set up a charging station in your warehouse, but the cost of electricity can be significantly lower than that of fuel.

While IC models are still the most popular in the market, electric forklifts are increasing in popularity. So remember, if you are looking to increase productivity and ROI in your warehouse, take a look at all of the different electric forklift options from Toyota.

Evolving business needs often lead to major changes in organizations and operations. For the management of material handling applications, many companies have undergone a transformation to electric forklift fleets. It’s a trend that has occurred over the last decade for a variety of reasons – including rising environmental standards, the impact on total cost of ownership, and, in some cases, efficiency advantages that can be provided by electric forklifts under the right conditions.

Among those conditions to consider include:

• Do I have the facility space, electric power sources, and layout to facilitate electric forklifts?
• Am I willing to pay the higher initial upfront cost for electric models in order to realize the long-term benefits for ROI?
• Do I have a full solutions material handling provider who can facilitate such as transition?

If you determine an electric conversion is right for you, here are some things to consider as you begin on the path to transition.

What is my current ownership/financing model for forklifts?

How and when you make the transition to electric forklifts may be a matter of financing structure. Some organizations have full ownership over their fleet. If this is the case, you’ll need to make sure your usage either justifies a replacement process or that you can receive enough capital from resale to justify the transition to new/used electric models.

If you leased all trucks in your fleet simultaneously, prepare your conversion for the time those leases expire. Work with your forklift provider to facilitate transition to new leases – this can be easily facilitated by a provider who works directly with a captive finance company (like Toyota does with Toyota Industrial Commercial Finance).

Other organizations will have a mixture of leased and owned models, or leases that expire at different times. If this is the case, you’ll need to consider the more complicated question of whether your facility is equipped to perform a gradual transition, replacing internal combustion forklifts with electric forklifts as it make sense to do so. Maintaining operation and maintenance, as well as fueling and battery swapping activities, simultaneously can be time-consuming and have an impact on things like facility routing and organization. Make sure you’re equipped to handle it.

What do I need to do to prepare my facility for electric forklift conversion?

While you may be used to the speed and relatively low storage needs of swapping propane tanks to power your forklifts, providing energy to your electric models can take more storage space and time. Depending on the battery you select, storage for those batteries can be somewhat cumbersome. They are bigger and heavier than propane tanks and may have to swapped as often as every shift depending on your charging method and usage. Speaking of weight, you’ll also need dedicated space for swapping batteries and associates trained to do so. Preparing your facility for this kind of activity is important before you make the transition.

Making a transition to electric also means considering the type of battery you want to select – including traditional lead-acid batteries or lithium-ion batteries. Each can provide unique energy advantages that can be closely evaluated for your specific operation.

Work with a forklift provider who is well-versed in both IC and electric forklifts to help – Toyota authorized dealers can provide an audit of your site to help you prepare.

Is my workforce trained to operate electric forklifts?

After you work with a forklift provider to determine which electric models best fit your operation, you may find yourself with new machines that look and operate differently than your previous models. Remember, OSHA requires that operators be trained on every unique type of forklift that they use. Make sure your associates are properly trained in the use of new electric models.

The transition to electric can have long-term benefits for many operations. But careful evaluations of your preparedness to make the change needs to be completed before a final decision is reached.View original post HERE

Standing desks are all the rage now in today’s workplace. While many people I know with standing desks hardly use them, they’re at least there in case you want to stretch your legs every once in a while and get a good view around the office. And I suppose there are the health benefits of not sitting down throughout an entire work shift.

But choosing between a stand-up rider and sit-down forklift is about more than the potential health benefits. Using the correct piece of equipment can actually have a major impact on the safety of your workplace. This guide will help show you the pros and cons of both types of forklifts and point you in the right direction for your next purchase, lease, or rental decision.

On/Off Frequency – One of the main reasons you would consider using a stand-up rider is the fact that getting on and off the forklift can be considerably faster. With lower step heights and no seatbelt to take on and off, time spent entering and exiting can be cut down significantly. This is ideal for applications where operators are frequently getting off of the forklift throughout the course of their shift for activities such as picking product. The time and labor cost savings can really add up over time, depending on the frequency of operators’ getting on and off of the forklift.

Performance – Sit-down forklifts can have higher travel speeds and lift/lower speeds than stand-up riders, which can increase productivity and throughput in high volume applications.

Lifting Capacity – Stand-up rider and sit-down forklifts are both counterbalanced type forklifts. When comparing a stand-up rider to a 3-wheel electric with the same base capacity, you typically get more lifting capacity from the stand-up rider at higher lift heights due to the compact design and centralized center of gravity. Four-wheel electric models, however, typically attain the highest lifting capacities overall.

Purchase Price – The initial cost is typically higher for stand-up rider forklifts when compared to 3-wheel electric models.

Right Angle Stack – In general, right angle stacking capabilities are fairly similar between 3-wheel electric and stand-up rider models with similar capacities. Stand-up rider forklifts, however, usually have a small advantage due to their shorter length and can operate in slightly smaller aisles. Both stand-up rider and 3-wheel electric forklifts have a significant advantage over 4-wheel electrics in regard to minimum aisle width requirements.

Operator Preference – Operator preference tends to play a large role in most purchasing decisions for new equipment. Operators who are used to operating sit-down forklifts are generally resistant to swapping their sit-down for a stand-up rider and vice versa. The main reasons for this are the differences in operating position and operability. Stand-up riders are typically controlled by a single multi-function control handle while sit-down forklifts use conventional cowl-mounted levers or mini-levers. Sit-down forklifts also have traditional brake pedals, while stand-up riders use “plugging” (requesting travel in the opposite direction) for braking and have a dead man pedal for emergency braking. Being familiar with a particular operating style promotes safety and can help to increase productivity and operator confidence. But over time, operators tend to adjust and get used to the new controls and nuances.

As always, if you’re unsure of which product is right for you, reach out to your local, authorized Toyota dealer for advice and consultation based on your material handling needs. View original post HERE

Get a Helping Hand this Harvest Season

Our customers in agriculture know that the right attachment can be a crucial piece of equipment when you need to move high volumes of product quickly. Cascade attachments are built for both speed and reliability, with an extensive selection available that can improve efficiency in agriculture applications. Whatever you may be harvesting, Cascade can help you make the most of your busiest times of the year.

See the 20G Ag Rotator in action here:Cascade offers several attachments for handling agriculture bins, the latest solution being our 20G Ag Rotator. The 20G offers a built-in hold down mechanism and fast 180-degree rotation function, making it the perfect tool to quickly invert bins easily and accurately, such as when dumping bins of produce. High visibility through the bin hold-down gives the driver excellent line of sight and enables fast and effective loading and unloading. The 20G Ag Rotator is built for speed and is a great way to achieve increased efficiency in your existing workflow. It is compact enough that it doesn't impact net truck capacity, allowing you to handle more without investing in a larger truck. On top of it all, it's an economical solution for expanding your capabilities during busy times of the year. Designed especially for the agricultural industry, the 20G is a great tool to have on your side when harvest season is here.

See the 20G Ag Rotator in action here:

For larger loads, Cascade offers a range of 360-degree rotators to satisfy higher capacities, which are even capable of inverted loading with our standard rotator forks. These forks are easily adjustable without tools to provide flexibility throughout your product line. Rotators are available with bin retainer options to ensure that your material handling is fast and effective. Rotators, including the 20G, can be outfitted with a variety of fork sizes to satisfy your needs.

For a different approach to handling agricultural bins, Cascade also offers Forward Bin Dumpers. These durable attachments can easily accommodate various bin heights and, with their forward-oriented dumping mechanism, may better serve your workflow needs - perfect for fruit, vegetables, nuts, and more. Bin Dumpers are available with standard carriage mounting or as a Quick Fork Mount model for fast and easy installation, allowing you to increase your forklift's capabilities while remaining seasonally flexible.

Cultivate Productivity with Cascade Solutions

Cascade Multiple Load Handlers are another popular solution that can dramatically increase the throughput of even a single forklift. By adjusting the fork spread of a Multiple Load Handler, an operator can easily handle either a single load or many loads at once. The high quality engineering of these attachments makes them an energy-efficient solution that yields longer run times and larger cost savings than others. Various configurations of the Multiple Load Handlers are available - including single-double and single-double-triple configurations, plus options for fork length and load backrest height - to ensure that there's a model to match your needs. With fast and simple operation, the versatile Multiple Load Handler makes it easy to move high volumes of product and maximize your speed on any forklift. In some cases, the equipment needs of Cascade customers come and go depending on seasonal demands of their market. This is especially true in agriculture. Cascade rentals are a great way to enjoy the benefits of a Cascade attachment without committing to a full purchase. Cascade offers a wide range of rental solutions for your convenience with short-term rentals for seasonal fluctuations, long-term rentals or rent-to-own options available. Rental equipment is well maintained and offers the same great performance you would expect from an attachment of your own. Contact your Cascade representative to find out what rental programs are available in your area.

From Seed to Crop to Market

Cascade has many solutions to improve the efficiency of your operation, with options that address not only harvest season, but the wide range of applications throughout the agriculture industry like food processing, distribution and more. We offer attachments for both indoor and outdoor applications, as well as those that operate in extreme temperatures, hot or cold. From Layer Pickers to Push Pulls, Telescopic Forks to Mobile Weighing, Cascade has the tools for effectively handling bagged goods, super sacks, pallets, crates, slip-sheets, and more. Cascade products are built with the highest quality materials and use innovative designs that stand the test of time. Our unmatched after-sale support allows our customers to focus on production instead of worrying about equipment. In addition to our vast catalog of standard attachments, we offer customization options that guarantee a solution that fits your needs. Contact us today to talk with a knowledgeable Cascade representative and let us find the right solution for you. Read more on Cascase News

Do your forklifts ever get a break? And for how long?

This is one of the most important factors in determining the right energy source for your forklifts.

And it makes sense. Just consider those days when you’re constantly running from morning till night time. You need ALL the coffee to stay awake, energized, and ready to go. Whereas, on those more “normal” days, you can probably get by on just one or two cups in the morning.

In the same way, your forklift fleet will have different energy needs depending on the shift cycles you run them on throughout the day. While you’ll always want to consider a wide variety of options and work with an integrated solutions provider like one of Toyota’s authorized dealers, this guide can help you make a preliminary diagnosis of whether to explore electric or internal combustion options.

Single Shift Operations

While internal combustion forklifts can provide the power and efficiency needed to run a successful single shift operation, electric forklifts should be seriously considered. Operating on a single shift, you’ll be able to take full advantage of energy efficiency savings because you can allow the forklift to sit and the battery to charge while your facility is closed.

At the same time, it may take you longer to achieve a full return on your investment in electric forklifts due to your lower utilization — a key factor in determining operation and labor cost.

Multi-Shift and Continuous-Shift Operations

You will need to consider several variables when weighing lead-acid battery and internal combustion options. The efficiency savings of lead-acid batteries are reduced the most in these operations because they are faced with needing to buy battery exchanging equipment and additional batteries — typically one for each shift. This translates into increased acquisition costs, storage space, maintenance areas, and swap times.

In this case, an internal combustion forklift option deserves serious consideration. While it is a more expensive fuel option, replacing a propane tank is quicker and requires less facility space than swapping and charging a battery.

Lithium-Ion Forklift Batteries and Shift Cycles

Lithium-ion batteries offer considerably faster charge speeds, and they can stay in the truck for multiple shifts while being opportunity charged during breaks. This means that they deliver a significant operational advantage over their lead-acid counterparts and can be considered a suitable electric option to replace propane in multi-shift operations.

However, because lithium-ion can cost up to 3x more than lead-acid, they might not be right for every operation. Single-shift operations are just one example in which efficiency returns may not outweigh the upfront costs.

View original post HERE

In the material handling industry, high productivity and efficiency are king. Whether you have one forklift or fifty, your equipment must have the power to deliver consistent results in order for you to win in your space, and ultimately, gain a competitive advantage. To do this, you’ll need a powerful tool to help you stand out.

One way to differentiate yourself from the competition is to incorporate advanced energy solutions or, more specifically, lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). Capable of rapid charging speeds and requiring minimal maintenance, lithium-ion batteries can take your operation to new heights.

What are the advantages of lithium-ion batteries for forklifts?

Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why you should consider adding lithium-ion batteries to your fleet.

1. Increased Productivity

In material handling, we understand time is money and with lithium-ion batteries, you won’t have to worry about getting the job done. Lithium-ion batteries require less time to charge than their lead-acid counterparts, which also have to rest before they can be used again. Thus, your fleet will benefit from increased productivity and throughput.

Since lithium-ion batteries maintain a higher, more stable voltage over the course of a shift, you will also experience higher forklift performance which can translate to increased throughput.

Helpful Tips:

• Avoid charging lithium-ion batteries when they have too low of battery life left. Instead, charge them more often. They do not need to be fully charged to operate correctly as do lead-acid batteries. In fact, you can fast charge a LiB in a matter of 10-20 minutes during an operator’s break.
• Keep the battery away from elevated temperatures to avoid causing stress and changing capacity capabilities.

2. Reduced Downtime

Unlike traditional lead acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries can be opportunity-charged, or recharged throughout the shift when necessary, eliminating the headache of battery swapping, thus increasing your fleet’s performance and reducing downtime. On average, a lithium-ion battery will last two to four times longer than a lead acid battery.

3. Virtually Maintenance Free

Frequently having to maintain your lead acid battery can be time consuming and costly. However, lithium-ion batteries are virtually maintenance free and don’t require constant watering, equalize charging, or cleaning.

4. Reduced Maintenance Labor

Lithium-ion batteries come equipped with cells that are sealed so you don’t have to wash or add water to keep the batteries operational, which reduces maintenance costs. Depending on your operation, it is possible that you don’t have to remove or swap batteries as you proceed through your workday because the battery can remain inside the forklift longer, eliminating the cost of additional storage and labor which is required for lead-acid batteries.

View original post here

Do your forklifts ever get a break? And for how long?

This is one of the most important factors in determining the right energy source for your forklifts.

And it makes sense. Just consider those days when you’re constantly running from morning till night time. You need ALL the coffee to stay awake, energized, and ready to go. Whereas, on those more “normal” days, you can probably get by on just one or two cups in the morning.

In the same way, your forklift fleet will have different energy needs depending on the shift cycles you run them on throughout the day. While you’ll always want to consider a wide variety of options and work with an integrated solutions provider like one of Toyota’s authorized dealers, this guide can help you make a preliminary diagnosis of whether to explore electric or internal combustion options.

Single Shift Operations

While internal combustion forklifts can provide the power and efficiency needed to run a successful single shift operation, electric forklifts should be seriously considered. Operating on a single shift, you’ll be able to take full advantage of energy efficiency savings because you can allow the forklift to sit and the battery to charge while your facility is closed.

At the same time, it may take you longer to achieve a full return on your investment in electric forklifts due to your lower utilization — a key factor in determining operation and labor cost.

Multi-Shift and Continuous-Shift Operations

You will need to consider several variables when weighing lead-acid battery and internal combustion options. The efficiency savings of lead-acid batteries are reduced the most in these operations because they are faced with needing to buy battery exchanging equipment and additional batteries — typically one for each shift. This translates into increased acquisition costs, storage space, maintenance areas, and swap times.

In this case, an internal combustion forklift option deserves serious consideration. While it is a more expensive fuel option, replacing a propane tank is quicker and requires less facility space than swapping and charging a battery.

Lithium-Ion Forklift Batteries and Shift Cycles

Lithium-ion batteries offer considerably faster charge speeds, and they can stay in the truck for multiple shifts while being opportunity charged during breaks. This means that they deliver a significant operational advantage over their lead-acid counterparts and can be considered a suitable electric option to replace propane in multi-shift operations.

However, because lithium-ion can cost up to 3x more than lead-acid, they might not be right for every operation. Single-shift operations are just one example in which efficiency returns may not outweigh the upfront costs.

To learn more about your forklift energy options, visit toyotaforklift.com/energy-solutions.

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