Make your workplace safer and convert your forklift fleet to natural gas. We can provide you with everything you need to know on forklift conversions and can help set up a natural gas refueling station right outside of your warehouse.
Go into any large warehousing facility, plant or mill and you will find two things; a forklift fleet and a healthy concern for indoor air quality.
A gas forklift is often fueled by liquid propane gas (LPG) or gasoline that emit toxic exhaust emissions, smoke, fumes and odors. These emissions become quite serious when forklifts are operated in confined areas. It is bad for the forklift operators as well as other workers who are inhaling the fumes. Need proof? Check your health and attendance records.
Propane produces about 1.40 grams per mile of carbon monoxide, reactive hydrocarbon, while natural gas produces only .01 grams per mile. With cleaner burning natural gas, forklift operators and fellow workers are exposed to considerably less emissions. Cleaner indoor air also means less air changes and lower heating bills for those of you located in the colder climates.
The conversion from LP to Natural Gas is surprisingly easy and can be accomplished in a few hours. A new tank designed to hold compressed natural gas at 3,600 psig replaces the old LP tank along with fuel system components that deliver natural gas to the forklift engine.
Refueling CNG powered forklifts can be accomplished by either fast fill or time filling. Fast fill station designs allow forklifts to fuel in the matter of minutes, without changing out heavy propane tanks. Operators simply connect the forklift to a re-fueling post and transfer clean natural gas into the high pressure tank.
In time fill applications, forklifts connect to fill post assemblies and remain parked over an 8 hour period. Gas is then transferred to all the forklifts within this time period. When operators return, all the forklifts are refueled and ready to go.
Operators can monitor how much CNG they have on-board their forklift and can easily replace the fuel without the worry of running out of propane tanks.
ADVANTAGES
- Easier to refuel, no more lugging heavy propane tanks on and off the forklifts
- Elimination of the propane tank farm, which should please your insurance carrier
- Cleaner burning engines result in less maintenance
- Improved safety. Natural gas is safer, lighter than air and will not puddle like LPG and is harder to ignite than liquid fuels
- Natural gas is inexpensive
- Natural gas is domestically available
