LPG provides positive power
February 1st 2009 To help create a 'Planet
Positive' building at its
Northampton depot,
Sainsbury's is using a fleet of
seven Toyota forklift trucks
powered by LPG supplier,
Calor.
The trucks are fitted with
fixed fuel tanks which have
an increased fuel capacity
and require fewer refuelling
stops compared to
cylinders, thus reducing
refuelling downtime and
increasing productivity.
Toyota account manager,
Steve Cole, says LPG was the
obvious fuel choice thanks to
its greener credentials. He
says: "LPG delivers a number
of benefits compared to
diesel. Using LPG powered
fleets eliminates the
unsightly black soot spots
that can appear on packaged
goods when diesel forklift
trucks are used, making
them ideal for use in
sensitive areas, including
food depots."
An LPG forklift truck fitted
with a three-way catalytic
converter and closed loop
engine control system
monitors and adjusts its fuel
to air mixture 1000 times a
second to give an optimum
burn, potentially cutting fuel
consumption by up to 20%,
making them a sound
energy-efficient choice.
Cole continues: "Of further
benefit to Sainsbury's in this
particular application was the
flexibility of refuelling from a
bulk tank, as opposed to a
battery management system
required for electric forklift
trucks in comparable 24/7
operations." More articles from Calor Gas Ltd: | 
