In general, you want to buy a forklift that still has somewhere between a fourth and a half of its life left. That's probably somewhere between 7,000 and 11,000 hours. Of course, if you can find a machine with even fewer forklift hours, that is ideal, but you may not get the level of savings you're looking for.
The average lifespan of a forklift is 10,000 hours. It's also important to mention that it's common to see lift trucks last more than 20,000 hours from higher-quality brands, such as Toyota.
Equipment Loans While it's possible to get full financing, there are some lenders who may require a 20% down payment. You're required to have a minimum credit score of 600 and need to be in operation for at least one year.
A forklift is a capital item that requires a combination of financial and operational analysis before making the acquisition.
The age of a forklift is measured in hours, not years, and the average lifespan of a forklift is 10,000 – 15,000 hours. That said: Toyota is the only forklift manufacturer to maintain its resale value after 10,000 hours.
Forklift leases can range from 12 to 72 months. But the most common duration is 36 to 60 months. Forklift lessees generally chose the duration of the lease based on the application. For example, if it's a high-usage application, they'll often choose a shorter term lease.
The average forklift hours per year are usually between 1,000 and 2,000. And in general, forklifts are expected to last about 10,000 hours. This works out to about 5 years, based on an 8-hour, 5-day workweek.
Locate the emergency brake lever on the left side of the machine and make sure it's pulled down and activated. Put the key into the ignition on the right side of the steering column and turn it forward to start the forklift's engine.