FEATURE LIFT TRUCKS


GET A HANDLE ON FUEL F


orklift trucks are complex, application-specific products and


should be chosen carefully to meet business and warehouse needs. Selecting the right model can result in better warehouse productivity and lower operating costs with less impact on the environment. However, forklift design isn’t the only consideration. The fuel type selected can have a


significant bearing on performance with operators typically choosing between electric, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG); weighing up the benefits of each needs careful consideration.


CUTTING COSTS In a cost comparison study conducted by Calor on 1.5 and 2.5 tonne diesel and LPG forklift trucks from four mainstream manufacturers it was found that substantial savings can be made by replacing diesel trucks with equivalent LPG models. Covering a set of the most common


working scenarios the study compared LPG and diesel trucks acquired using both rental options and outright purchase based on an eight- and 16-hour shift pattern over a five-year period. Results showed that by operating a 1.5


tonne rental LPG forklift truck instead of a comparable diesel model on an eight- hour shift, companies could save around £6,000 over a five-year period.


A 2.5 tonne LPG truck acquired via


outright purchase and operated on a 16-hour shift showed savings of £16,900 when compared with an equivalent diesel model over five years. However, operating costs should only


form part of the equation when it comes to investing in a forklift truck. One of the biggest advantages of choosing LPG over diesel and electricity is that it’s a much ‘greener’ fuel, producing far fewer harmful emissions.


CLEANER BURNING Independent testing carried out at the Millbrook Proving Ground found that forklifts fuelled by LPG produced 97% less particulate matter and 23% less CO2 compared to forklifts running on diesel when lifting a one-tonne load. In addition, when fitted with a three-


way catalyst, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions were reduced to virtually zero. There is no possibility of soil or water contamination from spillages because unlike diesel LPG harmlessly evaporates This means a much cleaner and less hazardous working environment and a potential reduction in carbon footprint. Reduced particulate matter emissions ensure that no soot marks or tainting of goods occurs inside the warehouse. Testing at Millbrook visibly demonstrated this reduction in particulate matter when operating an


Keith Higginson, commercial marketing manager at Calor Gas highlights the benefits of using LPG including cost efficiencies, environmental improvements and productivity gains


LPG-powered truck compared to diesel while there was hardly any trace on the LPG test exhaust filters, heavy soot marks were deposited on the diesel filters. In addition, performance is not affected by uneven surfaces and difficult terrain; LPG forklifts can be used both inside and outside the warehouse, a scenario that can present challenges for electric powered forklift trucks.


QUIETER THAN DIESEL Tests have demonstrated that LPG forklifts are up to 10 decibels (dB(A)) quieter than diesel forklifts. This can be of real benefit to operators located in built up areas where noise pollution levels must be kept to a minimum, particularly where forklifts are used extensively during the night or at sites operating 24-hour shift patterns.


ROUND THE CLOCK OPERATION Larger forklift fleets can benefit from a bulk LPG tank installation where trucks are refuelled in a similar way to road vehicles via a pump and nozzle. Unlike electric forklifts that take time


Bulk tank customers benefit from Think Tank, a telemetry system which monitors the amount of fuel remaining in the bulk tank and


immediately notifies Calor when a delivery is due


to recharge, larger capacity, fixed LPG fuel tanks can be fitted directly to trucks to reduce the refuelling frequency and therefore downtime. Tanks have 55 or 70 litre capacities


compared to the 29-litre capacity of exchangeable cylinders and can operate 24 hours per day without losing power.


FREE HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING All Calor customers are offered free health and safety training on forklift refuelling; a course that is accredited and approved by RTITB (the largest forklift truck training accrediting body in the UK and Ireland) and recognised by the HSE. Fuel availability is a key concern for


fleet operators. With Calor, bulk tank customers benefit from Think Tank, a telemetry system which monitors the amount of fuel remaining in the bulk tank and immediately notifies Calor when a delivery is due. Customers operating small fleets with LPG cylinders can receive local ‘milk round‘ deliveries from the nearest Calor supplier.


Calor Gas T: 01926 330088 www.calor.co.uk Enter 302


S8 MARCH/APRIL 2015 | MATERIALS HANDLING & LOGISTICS / MATERIALSHANDLINGLOGISTICS


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