Five Tips for Selecting Internal Combustion Forklifts for Indoor Applications

While demand for electric forklifts is growing at a faster rate than for internal combustion (IC) forklifts, there are still many applications that are well suited for IC forklifts. In fact, they still account for nearly half of the available annual market. Although they are often considered the de facto choice for outdoor applications, they may also be considered for indoor applications where there is adequate ventilation and less sensitivity to noise. They can also be an attractive option in facilities that don’t have an adequate infrastructure to support battery-powered, electric forklifts, for reasons such as available electric power, battery charging rooms and sufficient area for battery swapping during and between shifts.

Once the decision to use IC forklifts has been made, there are still additional factors to consider when selecting the right IC forklift solution for your application. To help improve and expedite the selection process, we’ve assembled five tips to help focus your search.

1. Tires

If you’re in the material handling industry and you’re not thinking about tires, now is the time to start. Tires are an essential consideration, particularly for IC forklifts because of environmental factors between indoor and outdoor applications. Cushion tires are the norm for IC forklifts used indoors or with limited travel between indoor operating environments. They perform well on concrete and blacktop surfaces. Pneumatic tires are better suited for IC forklifts used in outdoor applications as they provide better traction on loose gravel and other less predictable outdoor surfaces.

2. Footprint

Indoor applications are often challenged with space restrictions, especially in manufacturing environments. The narrow chassis and smaller footprint of a cushion tire IC forklift provides more maneuverability around obstacles and in narrow aisles without compromising lift capacity. Cushion tire IC forklifts are also often frequently used on docks and in loading trailers where space is typically at a premium.

3. Brakes

Working in tight quarters also requires a high degree of operator control. The operator must be able to stop quickly and reliably. Just as the grip between the tires and the operating surface is important, so is the performance of the brakes. This is particularly true for heavy forklifts, and even more so when they are carrying loads that can weigh thousands of pounds. Forklifts equipped with oil-cooled disc brakes can provide the performance you need, coupled with reduced maintenance requirements and longer service life.

4. Ventilation

Internal combustion forklifts produce emissions that require proper ventilation. While cushion tire IC lift trucks are generally powered by liquified petroleum gas (LPG), producing lower emissions than diesel-powered lift trucks, having an effective ventilation system in your facility is important to ensure you meet safety and regulatory standards. Pneumatic lift trucks powered by diesel fuel produce higher emissions, which requires using a more robust indoor ventilation system.

5. Capacity and Lift Height

Finally, when selecting a forklift of any type selecting the right capacity and lift height is a given. For indoor applications, these factors should be balanced against the footprint requirements. If your maximum load is relatively consistent and space is at a premium, it is typically best to match the capacity of the forklift to the maximum expected load. Selecting additional capacity where it isn’t needed will usually increase the footprint of the forklift, which will affect overall maneuverability.

While there may not be any surprises in this short list of tips for selecting IC forklifts for indoor use, you may find the order in which they’re listed a bit different than expected. You may find it helpful to consult Crown’s Forklift Product Selector. You can use this tool to help narrow your search, filter results and compare multiple forklift options.

In an upcoming blog, we will discuss specific tips for selecting IC forklifts for outdoor applications. If you’re in the market, be sure to subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss out.