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With online shopping accounting for an increasing share of U.S. retail sales, package processing and shipping can make or break a supply chain. Warehouse bottlenecks can trigger backups that can damage a company’s reputation and its bottom line, not to mention leave customers high and dry.
Fortunately, there’s a reliable and affordable workhorse on the job across the country: the propane forklift. Safe for use indoors in facilities with proper ventilation, these forklifts gather products off shelves in warehouses and place them on trucks, a process often replicated at several distribution nodes. In today’s fast-paced, one-click, quick-delivery world, propane forklifts are a popular choice for moving goods efficiently.
Manufacturers, warehouses, distribution centers and retailers are choosing propane forklifts because they are more versatile and durable than diesel and electric forklifts. They offer the combination of ultra-low emissions with low cost of ownership, operation and ease of use.
Economic uncertainty fuels increased sales
Retail sales rose by 1.4% in March, a rate higher than economists expected and the largest monthly increase in two years. Experts believe the jump was driven by looming tariffs and the threat of an economic downturn. While the March numbers were unexpected, certain times of year (think holidays and back-to-school) see a predictable and dramatic rise in sales volume. Moving those packages takes a material-handling solution that is up to the strain of the task.
Propane forklifts are best suited for long shifts and continuous operation primarily because of their versatility, which comes back to the fuel itself. Propane’s high energy content offers an excellent power-to-weight ratio, meaning propane forklifts can handle heavy loads with ease while remaining agile and maneuverable. This is an advantage for warehouses and distribution centers where speed and efficiency are essential.
Full power, instant startup and shutdown
Another advantage of propane forklifts is that they operate at full power as long as fuel is in the cylinder. Propane forklifts don’t slow down or even come to a stop, as is frequently the case when the battery on an electric forklift dies. Imagine being under heavy deadlines to get a load of packages out the door and your electric forklift simply comes to a stop in the middle of a warehouse. That’s a position no one wants to be in.
A propane forklift also features instant startup and shutdown. This is important because both new and seasoned trained operators can climb aboard and get to work right away, without having to wait for a diesel engine to warm up or a battery to finish charging. Operators of any skill level appreciate how a propane cylinder is replaced in minutes, and at 33 pounds, is light enough to be moved efficiently. An electric battery for a class 4 forklift is over 200 pounds and needs time to cool before it can be recharged.
No matter the volume of packages at any given time, propane forklifts are reliable workhorses. They handle the strain of commerce and keep businesses humming at critical junctures throughout the year
