Narrow Aisle's Flexi G4 articulated truck.

An Irish stationery products provider has replaced its LPG-powered articulated forklift fleet with electric articulated forklifts from Narrow Aisle.

The company has been using articulated forklifts in its facility for three years but decided to look for a new supplier after the forklift fleet developed persistent mechanical problems.

According to Narrow Aisle, the company's converted LPG engine leaked water, hot engine oil and hydraulic fluid. This, and the rising cost of propane, prompted the company to rethink its fleet.

Narrow Aisle sales and marketing director John Maguire says propane, used in LPG mixes, is extracted from natural gas or oil refinery streams. Since it is produced as a by-product, its production levels cannot be increased when there is high demand, hence the huge price increases.

"Gas-powered articulated forklifts are at their best at sites where they are required to operate on demand, perhaps for an hour at a time and then left idle for a long period, over two or three shifts.

"In such cases, a single bottle of gas is usually sufficient to power the forklift over three shifts and this can be more economical than frequent battery changes," Maguire says.

However, "it was clear that for the stationery company, the LPG forklift was not the best choice," he says.

The company has ordered electric-powered Flexi G4's from Narrow Aisle Ltd. Narrow Aisle also produces gas-powered articulated forklifts for its award-winning Flexi range.