Machinery is essential to the operations of various industries, helping to make daily tasks as smooth as possible. One key type of machinery many businesses utilise is heavy moving equipment. These handling machines help to streamline the transport of goods, and come in various forms, including diesel-powered and battery-powered options. In this helpful guide, you can discover how the battery-powered and diesel options compare, helping you to decide which option is right for you.
Introduction to Movers
As an alternative to manual handling, businesses across a variety of industries opt for movers to help them manage and move heavy loads onsite. The term mover can encompass a wide range of material handling equipment, from electric tow tugs to stock movers, each designed for a specific purpose.
The Benefits of Movers
Movers are highly popular types of heavy moving equipment, and for good reason. These machines allow staff to quickly and efficiently move goods on their site, without risking injury related to heavy-lifting. Most movers are also compact, making them easy to store without taking up precious space on your worksite.
Common Applications of Movers
Movers are essential across multiple industries, providing a reliable solution for transporting heavy loads efficiently and safely in a working environment. These specialised machines reduce requirements for manual labour, enhance workplace safety, and improve productivity by minimising the risk of injury and damage to goods.
Some popular industries that utilise movers include:
Warehouses and distribution centres
Manufacturing
Aviation and automotive
Construction
Medical
The Fundamentals
Two of the most popular types of movers are battery-powered movers and diesel movers. Each option has its benefits, but it’s important to first understand the basics of these machines. Explore each type below.
Battery-Powered Movers
Contrastingly to traditional movers, which are powered by non-renewable energy sources, battery-powered movers use electricity to function. As such, they are not fitted with internal combustion engines. As stated in their name, these movers are powered by a battery located within their system. The battery itself will vary in size and scale, depending on the size of the machine itself and the power it needs to provide.
Diesel Movers
Traditional and trusted, diesel-powered handling machines are another popular solution for businesses looking to move heavy equipment on their worksite. The diesel engines typically produce a high torque, making them great for moving heavy loads with ease. The capacity of diesel movers to deliver consistent, dependable power makes them particularly well-suited for demanding applications in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and logistics, where the movement of heavy machinery and materials is a daily necessity.
Performance and Capabilities
When choosing between an electric tug and a diesel tug, it’s important to ensure that the machine can meet your requirements for performance and capabilities. In this expansive section, you can explore key information about the performance and capabilities of both types of movers, helping you to decide which might work best for you.
Load Capacity
Diesel movers are undeniably powerful and highly effective for handling heavy-duty transportation tasks across various industries. Designed for strength and durability, these movers can effortlessly pull, push, or tow substantial loads.
While diesel-powered handling machines are known for their power, it’s important not to underestimate the abilities of electric movers. Electric movers typically have a variable load capacity, making them fantastic for a wide range of applications. They are still capable of supporting incredibly heavy loads, with ranges of warehouse tugs able to support between 1,500kg and 20,000kg. Specific specialist electric tugs are even able to push and pull up to 100,000kg, which is around the weight of a blue whale!
Manoeuvrability
Diesel movers, while useful, are not particularly easy to move. With heavy diesel engines inside, some of these material handling machines can be hard to position, with turning radii often larger than other types of movers.
Electric movers, on the other hand, are more frequently designed to be light and compact, making them easier to move in tight areas. The motors inside offer precise control, while their advanced systems can enhance manoeuvrability. Thanks to the consistent power delivery offered by electric movers, each movement will be both controlled and smooth.
Operational Range
Diesel movers are great for a wide range of surfaces, including rough terrain, making it easy to transport heavy loads in a variety of locations. Many models can traverse uneven ground, gravel, and inclines without difficulty. This versatility makes them appealing to various industries, including agriculture and mining.
Electric movers, on the other hand, are more often found in warehouses. Many models are well-suited to indoor use, making them perfect for facilities like a warehouse. They can also be used outdoors on flat surfaces, such as airport runways, and specialist versions can be equipped for tougher terrains. For many businesses, they simply need a reliable solution for heavy material handling that works on flat surfaces, making electric movers more than ideal.
Cost-Effectiveness
A key downside of diesel movers is that they are rarely cost-effective. The price of diesel fuel can fluctuate significantly, and can be significantly higher than electricity costs. Many examples of diesel-powered heavy moving equipment will also use a large amount of fuel, particularly if supporting heavy loads, which makes the overall operational costs of diesel movers generally quite high.
Electric movers, on the other hand, have rechargeable batteries that make them highly cost-effective. These batteries can easily be charged onsite, preventing the need for regular fuel deliveries. Instead of relying on external fuel suppliers and managing fuel storage, electric movers can easily be charged during natural downtime to prevent delays and remain consistently beneficial.
Environmental and Operational Considerations
While the performance and capabilities offered by movers are important, some other aspects should not be overlooked during your decision process. There are various environmental and operational considerations to take into account when choosing between battery-powered and diesel-powered moving machines. Explore some of them below.
Maintenance
In a busy workplace, overfrequent maintenance requirements can be hard to contend with. Unfortunately, diesel movers can require a lot of upkeep. While they are quite durable, they typically require work on their engines and systems, including oil changes and parts replacements.
As a welcome alternative for many businesses, electric movers require very little maintenance. To care for your electric tug, for example, you will need to carry out a few simple checks of the systems, including the brakes, the motor and electric connections.
Sustainability
To operate, diesel movers require a reliable source of diesel fuel. Unfortunately, diesel is far from a sustainable fuel source, making it a poor option if you’re looking for more sustainability in your operations. Diesel fuel, derived from fossil fuels, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. So, while diesel movers offer undeniable power and reliability, their dependence on a non-sustainable fuel source poses a significant consideration for many businesses.
Battery-powered movers, on the other hand, can be powered by a renewable source of power. Electricity can also be sourced from green suppliers, ensuring the machines are powered by sustainable sources of electricity such as wind energy.
Noise Pollution
Arguably one of the greatest disadvantages of diesel-powered movers is the amount of sound it will emit. Diesel engines are famously noisy, as a result of the combustion process. This can be highly distracting for employees, and, in urban areas, can lead to complaints from neighbouring businesses. While modern models typically have advancements aimed at reducing the overall noise output, it’s still worth considering the noise that your chosen option will make.
Contrastingly, electric tugs are quiet, making them fantastic for indoor operations. They emit very little noise, which makes them great for busy workspaces where communication between workers is vital and therefore conversations must be heard over the machinery. Quiet workspaces are often more comfortable for employees, promoting overall staff happiness onsite.
Our Handling Machines at Multi-Mover UK
As trusted suppliers of electric movers, Multi-Mover UK can simplify operations on your worksite with our high-quality products. We offer a vast range of material handling machines, from the MOVE-IT Rolling Stock Mover to trusted electric tow tugs.
Please visit our website to explore the range of material handling machines we have to offer, helping you to find the right option for your needs. Here, you can discover the products we have for sale, as well as the rentals we offer. For any further information or expert advice, get in touch with us directly.
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