snowman
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2004
- Location
- Southeast Michigan
In need of a forklift for a small shop, all flat concrete floor. Up until now, a pallet jack has fulfilled all needs of this shop for 5 years. It would just be really nice to unload something from the back of a truck. Max lift is 3200 lbs.
I've always been a fan of propane, but my use is a couple hours, uneven floors, heavy machines, outdoor mostly...and pneumatic tires are almost a requirement.
For this application, I think electric would be best...but I'm worried about batteries. Maximum use will realistically be 30 minutes per week, outside of the first week of ownership. It can always be parked at the charger. The quiet nature of an electric lift would be really nice.
My concern in buying a cheap used electric is simply the battery, but I'm not sure if even the worst battery, if kept topped off, will work for the minimal requirements per week. How about chargers, are they all the same, or will the standard 24v charger overcharge the battery? I've got some 24 volt chargers from wheelchairs, will they work. Are forklifts 24volts, or 48 volts?
Budget, given it's use, is obviously as low as possible...but the alternative is likely renting a lift on occasion, so money isn't the most important. A heavy leaker is absolutely unacceptable.
I've always been a fan of propane, but my use is a couple hours, uneven floors, heavy machines, outdoor mostly...and pneumatic tires are almost a requirement.
For this application, I think electric would be best...but I'm worried about batteries. Maximum use will realistically be 30 minutes per week, outside of the first week of ownership. It can always be parked at the charger. The quiet nature of an electric lift would be really nice.
My concern in buying a cheap used electric is simply the battery, but I'm not sure if even the worst battery, if kept topped off, will work for the minimal requirements per week. How about chargers, are they all the same, or will the standard 24v charger overcharge the battery? I've got some 24 volt chargers from wheelchairs, will they work. Are forklifts 24volts, or 48 volts?
Budget, given it's use, is obviously as low as possible...but the alternative is likely renting a lift on occasion, so money isn't the most important. A heavy leaker is absolutely unacceptable.