Fork lift trucks play an integral role in assisting with the day to day operations for vegetable, salad and food producers and choosing the correct fuel to power them is just as critical, as Calor’s Bulk Market Manager, Laura Luty, explains. “With a choice of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), diesel and electric to power fork lift truck fleets, LPG, a cleaner burning fuel than diesel, continues to be acknowledged as an environmentally friendly and versatile fuel alternative whilst not compromising performance*.”
“Calor is well established in the LPG industry, with many of the major manufacturers of fork lift trucks offering LPG as a choice of fuel in their product ranges,” says Laura. “By working alongside manufacturers Calor can help to ensure installation of the LPG supply is quick and simple and coordinated with the introduction of new fleets.”
LPG delivers a number of benefits compared to diesel, including reduced emissions**, which, when a three-way catalytic converter is fitted, allows fork lift trucks to operate in more sensitive areas, an important consideration when transporting consumable goods.
LPG achieves a 95 per cent reduction in NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions compared to diesel. As a high octane, cleaner burning fuel, using LPG also results in less carbon build up in engines, less oil contamination and less overall engine wear.
“In today’s stringent food environment, health and safety is a priority. Using LPG powered fleets eliminates the unsightly black soot spots that can appear on packaged goods when diesel fork lift trucks are used,” says Laura.
“Calor LPG has a very high octane rating. Emissions are lead free and soot free with carbon emissions virtually zero when trucks are fitted with a 3-way catalyst, which also cuts fuel consumption by up to 20 per cent.”
In contrast to electric fork lift trucks, which typically take around eight hours to recharge, LPG trucks can be quickly refuelled from a bulk tank, or by changing a gas cylinder, allowing a true 24/7 operation. As well as saving time on refuelling, running a fleet on LPG can save valuable storage space with no need for a separate area devoted to battery charging.
LPG stands out on its own, with a number of inherent advantages and LPG trucks provide true flexibility, being suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Fuel storage and supply decisions are tailored for the customer to find the best business solution, whether bulk tanks or cylinders and with a recognised supplier such as Calor, the process is painless.
Calor’s fixed fuel tanks are available in 55 litre and 70 litre capacities designed in accordance with PED Regulations, providing increased fuel capacity, thus reducing the time when the trucks are unavailable for use, compared to using cylinder supply.
Calor offers a team of dedicated technical experts who assess a customer’s needs, recommend a solution and where required, design a tailored system as well as giving guidance on relevant HSE regulations.
For Calor, safety is paramount. LPG refuelling training is provided to all new and existing customers on request. For customers who have ongoing training requirements, Calor’s ‘Train the Trainer’ package may be deemed more appropriate, allowing the customer the flexibility to carry out training at their own convenience.
Servicing and maintenance of LPG bulk tanks remains the responsibility of the fuel supplier, and Calor performs a detailed tank inspection at every fuel delivery. Calor operates the UK’s largest LPG delivery network, and Calor’s The Think Tank® telemetry system automatically monitors the level of LPG within the tank to ensure that a customer should never run out of LPG.
A key aim for Calor is to position itself as the fuel provider of choice in the materials handling sector. “It goes far beyond merely the supply of gas or the fuel price,” adds Laura. “Discussions with an LPG expert with the right technical capability can ensure a hassle-ree conversion to LPG, as well as providing a package of ongoing technical support, safety assurance and training.
“It’s small wonder that the march of LPG in the fork lift truck market is set to continue,” concludes Laura.
* Diesel – 0.250kWH, LPG – 0.214Kwh. Source The Carbon Trust www.carbontrust.co.uk/conversionfactors.
** LPG powered FLTs produce, 2,000 per cent less NOx, 2 per cent less carbon dioxide and up to 120 times less small particle (PM10) emissions than diesel powered fleets. All figures taken from the EETP 2003
For further information on Calor LPG Fork Lift Trucks visit www.lpg-forklift.co.uk, call 0800 216 659 or email telesales@calor.co.uk.
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