Natural Gas Technologies & Solutions

Fueling Fork Lift Trucks with Natural Gas

Advantages of Using Natural Gas Fuel for Fork Lift Trucks

Natural Gas fuel used to power fork lift trucks is cleaner, easier, safer and more economical than either propane or electric fork lift trucks.

How it Works
A small compressor station using Vehicle Refueling Appliances (VRAs) is installedand connected to the existing natural gas piping. Drivers simply pull up to station dispenser, connect the quick-connect hose to the refuelling nozzle, push a button, and the dispenser starts to refill the permanently mounted cylinder on the counter weight of the fork lift truck. The VRA will shut off automatically when it senses the cylinders are at full pressure. Unlike propane, a fuel gauge on the dash indicates when the cylinder is running low on natural gas. Also, the cylinders can be refilled even if they are not empty – pay for exactly what is used.

Find out more about VRAs.

Saving Time and Money
Never handle propane tanks again. This means no worries about time lost changing tanks, no waiting for fuel delivery, no storage space for extra tanks, and no constantly changing prices for propane. In addition, there is less maintenance required because the lower firing temperature results in a cleaner engine that stays tuned longer. This means smoother running equipment with less down time for maintenance.

Other considerations include:

• Easier bill payments – all your natural gas usage comes on one bill at the end of the month – there is no need to collect invoices.
• Easier budgeting – when you know the price of fuel for the next three months, it is easier to plan your expense budgets.
• More floor space available - no storage space required for propane bottles, or an electric charging plant.
• Better fuel usage – no more changing tanks when they are almost empty and losing the remaining propane.
• No special licensing required – all employees handling propane bottles are required by law to carry a valid RoT (Record of Training) certificate.  This is not a requirement with natural gas, because the employees never handle the fuel.
   

Lower Fuel Costs
A fork lift truck powered by natural gas will save at least 50% compared to propane or electric fork lift trucks. With the savings on fuel, rentals, and capital costs, it just makes sense to use natural gas for fork lift trucks. 

See a cost comparison of propane vs. natural gas fueled fork lift trucks.

Health and Safety
Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel available today. You can reduce the CO (Carbon Monoxide) emissions form your lift trucks by up to 95% by converting from propane to natural gas. This means fewer headaches, fewer absences due to sickness, and better productivity in your facility. 

See a detailed discussion of Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation.

In addition, there is no need for your employees to be moving heavy propane bottles, or replacing heavy electric batteries. Back injuries are the #1 cause of lost time injuries in industry, and natural gas eliminates these possible causes. Likewise, no special protective equipment is required when using natural gas fork lift trucks. The gloves and safety glasses (and training courses) required by propane are a thing of the past.

How to Convert
Your existing propane fork lift trucks can be converted to natural gas quite easily and economically. Trained technicians will come to your facility to do the conversion work on-site or will arrange the installations through current equipment providers.

Contact a VRA manufacturer to find conversion shops in your area.