Prepare for coming EPA regs

Although the Clean Air Nonroad Diesel - Tier 4 Final Rule doesn’t kick in until January 2011, some makers of internal combustion engine lift trucks are busy making the case for converting to electric models. They say the electric technology is now suitable to meet the demands of many indoor/outdoor applications.

The Tier 4 regulation would eliminate the amount of diesel particulate matter (soot) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) put out by off-road engines. The interim rule taking effect in January affects engines from 175 horsepower to 750 hp. Lower horsepower engines will be affected in 2012. The rule will cut soot by 90% and NOx by 45%.

To make sure an electric pneumatic lift truck will be suitable for the job previous held by an IC truck, the following questions must be answered:

            • Is the application very wet?
            • Will conditions be extremely cold?
            • Will there be traction issues?

Answering in the affirmative to any or all of these doesn’t rule out an electric pneumatic lift truck, but it may require higher levels of protection than can be offered by a standard chassis. The application might call for an enclosed cab or sealed power components, for example.

Such considerations present challenges when specifying an electric pneumatic lift truck to take the place of an IC, according to Jeff Bowles, manager of product marketing for Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA). The user might have to consider the following trade-offs:

            • Initial cost (IC’s favor) vs. long-term cost (electric’s favor)
            • 5 min. fueling/tank change (IC) vs. 20 min. battery change (electric)
            • Cost of fuel (IC) vs. cost of electricity (EL)
            • Power/durability (IC) vs. lower emissions and noise (electric)
            • Fuel storage (IC) vs. battery room (EL)

“The choice is further complicated by outside incentives—either funding or regulation,” Bowles told Modern. “These increasingly favor electric trucks or alternative fuel trucks. In some cases, these incentives could be enough to push a customer to an electric truck from an economic/ROI standpoint, even if the application itself might call for an IC solution.”