INTERNAL COMBUSTION FORKLIFTS

An internal combustion engine forklift (IC) is a forklift that uses internal combustion to power the motor and other accessories. IC forklifts are used for a variety of applications both indoor & outdoor lifting a variety of weights & heights. Nearly all brands of forklift (Toyota, Nissan, TCM, Clark, Hyster, Linde, Crown, Yale etc) make a type of IC forklift, so there are plenty out there of various shape, size, age and condition. Deciding on the right forklift starts with deciding what you’re going to use it for and where. 

Determine Your Application

This step is critical for selecting any forklift. You will need to assess your operation and requirements before determining the forklift that you need. You will need to look at the following items as a start;

a. What surface will the unit be operating on? Gravel / Concrete / Warehouse concrete / yard.

b. Are there any sharp objects on the ground?

c. Are there any dangerous risks? i.e. chemical, petrol etc

d. How wide is your product? i.e. timber, steel, containers

e. Do you have any low entry points or are you going inside a container?

f. What fuel do you have available? i.e. LPG/Petrol provider, CNG, Diesel

g. Do you need any special attachments? E.g. paper roll grab, rotator, fork positioning

Once you’ve worked out the application the forklift will be performing, you can now narrow down your selection to the forklifts that best fit your requirements.

Special Applications

There are a select amount of applications with special requirements or restrictions. Some are resolved with specialised attachments, and some are resolved by engineering the forklift to suit. Some examples of these are listed below.

Flameproof – is the conversion of the forklift to reduce the risk of the equipment becoming the source of ignition. Sources of ignition include flames and spark from exhaust systems, arcs and sparks from electrical equipment, hot surfaces and static build up. This allows the forklift to be used in hazardous areas. There are many variations which depend on the environment at hand. Hazardous areas are classified in two distinct groups. Flammable gases, vapours and liquids make up one group, which traditionally had been known as Class I. Dusts, fibres and filings make up the second group previously known as Class II. 

Container Handling – these forklifts are quite large and have the ability to lift and handle containers both 20 foot & 40 foot and lift them to various heights. They are able to lift them both full and empty.

Fuel Type

IC lift trucks are designed to run on a variety of fuel types. These are outlined below.

1. Petrol / Dual Fuel – 99% of LPG forklifts are ‘born’ with petrol engines and then converted. At this point they operate both on petrol & LPG. Note: when a forklift has operated on LPG for the majority of its lift, you should be cautious when switching back to petrol as gaskets, seals etc may have dried out and become brittle.

2. LPG – This is the most common type of forklift. They are operated with an LPG bottle fixed to either the counterbalance or the roof of the forklift.

3. Diesel – these forklifts are operated by a diesel engine and are usually operated on sites that have an existing diesel fuel supply.

4. CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) – These forklifts similar to LPG forklifts, have a large tank on the back of the unit, however instead of LPG it is Natural Gas. CNG burns cleaner than LPG however you require your own filling stations and storage tanks. 

Tyres & Wheels

1. Cushion – are solid tires generally with no tread pattern (though tread patterns are available) designed for use indoors on smooth solid surfaces. These tyres have a smaller amount of rubber compared to a pneumatic / solid type. 

2. Pneumatic - require air and are designed for use outdoors on uneven and loose surfaces. 

3. Puncture Proof / Solid - are similar in size to a pneumatic profile tyre, however are solid rubber and deemed puncture proof as there is no air.

Capacity

The capacity of IC forklifts ranges from 1.0 tonne to 43.0 tonne. 

Lift Type

There are two core types of lifting on a mast; full free lift (FFL) and partial free lift (PFL).

 A FFL mast on a reach forklift usually comes in the form of a triple stage mast. This means that the forks will lift in 3 stage’s by ‘free lifting’ to the top of the mast before lifting any additional channels. This allows the forklift to lift higher without the need for a tall roof. This is extremely beneficial if your warehouse has a low roof in certain areas but you also need to lift to taller heights in other parts.

 A PFL mast on a reach forklift usually comes in the form of a two stage mast. This means that when the forks are lifting, they will only partially free lift after which the mast channel also lifts. The forklift requires a greater vertical clearance space when lifting. Forklifts with 2 stage masts, due to the requirement of vertical clearance, are usually cheaper than 3 stage masts. They also do not lift as tall as a 3 stage mast.

Does brand matter?

The question of brand relevance usually comes down to a couple of points – personal preference, what you currently have in your fleet, the type of forklift you require (some brands specialise in different applications). Typically in the Australian market, people can easily recognise common car brands such as Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi however this doesn’t necessarily mean they are better than the others. Brands such as Crown, TCM, Nichiyu, Clark who specialise in forklift manufacturing and not car making also offer (and in some cases better) quality forklifts. The key difference is that the car manufacturer branded forklifts are associated with their cars and have a large branding / marketing machine behind them – don’t get caught up in the hype. When you look to purchase your next forklift – forget which brand it and be sure it fits your application. Once you’ve decided on the specifications, look at ancillary items such ongoing cost of maintenance, spare part cost, resale value (if its important to you) to name a few. Each brand will have different values. Choose based on what your requirements are and not by how much hype they have.

Do you need help getting through all of this? Do you have the information but are not sure what forklift suits? Why not call Koala Trucks' team of experts to help you out and provide you with an obligation free quote.