Toyota Internal Combustion Forklift Fuel Options

Announcer: Forklifts come in all shapes and sizes. They have special tires for certain applications, and they have specific engines and motors powered by different fuel sources. It can sometimes be a challenge to figure out what’s best for your particular situation. Here’s a quick guide.

If you intend to operate primarily indoors, you are looking for a cushion tire forklift. If you intend to operate primarily outdoors, you are most likely interested in a pneumatic tire forklift.

If you are worried about noise, fumes, or physical size, you most likely want to look into electric forklift options. If you need raw power and ruggedness, internal combustion, or an IC forklift is probably the answer.

If you decide an IC forklift is right for you, the next step is deciding on the fuel source. The most common IC fuel choices are, liquefied petroleum, or LP, which is commonly referred to simply as propane, diesel, compressed natural gas or CNG, and gasoline.

LP is typically cleaner than gas, and serves as a convenient fuel source. Many LP tanks can last about eight hours. LP IC-powered forklifts typically lift between 3,000 and 17,500 pounds, but certain LP-powered models can reach a 36,000 pound maximum lift capacity. LP-powered forklifts are a common indoor IC option.

The Toyota IC forklift line starts offering the diesel fuel option on forklifts with 3,000 pound capacity lifts, but diesel power starts to gain popularity at 5,000 pound capacities and above. For forklifts lifting 36,000 pounds or more, diesel is the only fuel option. Similar to tractor trailers that run on diesel, diesel-powered forklifts are larger, heavier forklifts, and often run more efficiently.

Due to fumes, diesel forklifts are for outdoor use only, and are most commonly found in brick, block, mortar, lumber, and oil applications. Although, similar to gas, if diesel fuel is readily available at a certain application site, choosing a diesel-powered forklift might be the most economical option.

CNG-powered forklifts tend to be even more environmentally friendly than LP models, but these models are a bit more expensive upfront. The gas itself, however, tends to be less expensive than propane. CNG is an emerging fuel source for forklifts and is becoming more and more popular, particularly for small, indoor applications, where emission considerations are important.

Gasoline is often the choice for applications where a gas pump is already available at the work-site. For instance, construction yards, farms, orchards, and 3PLs. Gasoline-powered forklifts tend to be used primarily outdoors, and lift to higher capacities.

To many, a forklift is a forklift, but when you dig a little deeper you’ll discover a number of options available. When deciding which forklift is best for your application, is best to consult a professional and discuss all the possible uses.

Contact Lift Truck Supply
T:1.800.873.1828
E: marketing@short-pear.flywheelsites.com
F: Contact Page