In order to make the purchase of a new forklift profitable, it should meet the company's requirements profile and fulfill all the criteria to be suitable for the planned tasks. In addition to the technical and functional requirements, the forklift costs influence the decision for or against a particular provider or model. However, the focus should not only be on the costs, even if the purchase of a forklift often represents a major investment for companies.
The cost of purchasing a new forklift depends on its performance and technical characteristics as well as on the equipment and intended use. These features include:
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The entry-level price for new diesel forklifts starts at a lower level than gas forklifts. Electric forklifts are the most expensive to buy, but they score points with lower energy costs and a longer service life.
| Motor | load capacity up to 2.0 t | up to 3.5 t | Over 3.5 t |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 15,000-20,000 € | 20,000-30,000 € | from 30,000 € |
| gas | 16,000-22,000 € | 22,000-35,000 € | from 35,000 € |
| electric | 18,000-27,0000 € | 22,000-45,000 € | from 50,000 € |
In addition to the type of drive, the design of the forklift also influences the price. Here, lifting height and load capacity also play an additional role.
| design | acquisition costs |
|---|---|
| reach trucks | from 20,000 € |
| off-road forklifts | from 22,500 € |
| order picker | from 15,000 € |
| narrow-aisle forklifts | from 40,000 € |
The price ranges mentioned are rough guidelines. The current prices of various manufacturers are often only given on request, as different versions, additional equipment and special designs deviate from the standard price.
A cheaper alternative to buying a new forklift is to buy a used forklift. This can save companies 50 to 70 percent. The size of the used market and the number of sales platforms show that forklifts can be in use for years. This requires careful maintenance of the equipment.
A must when buying a used vehicle is to check the functionality, equipment and performance of the device. This is best determined on site at the used vehicle dealer during a test drive. In addition, the forklift should have passed the current FEM 4.004 test , which is confirmed with the annually updated test sticker.
The battery of used electric forklifts is often a weak point. Before buying, it is important to find out the age of the battery. Check the condition in person and, if necessary, have the battery measured to ensure that the battery continues to deliver the promised performance.
You can find step-by-step instructions and tips for buying a used forklift in our How to: How do I buy a used forklift?
In addition to purchasing, financing options such as leasing or renting are available. The advantage is that the entire sum does not have to be paid and a new forklift can still be purchased.
When leasing a forklift, the right of use is transferred to the company, but the manufacturer remains the owner. A monthly leasing fee is charged for use
The amount of the leasing rate depends on various factors. These include:
For an approximate estimate, monthly costs for forklift leasing should start at around €470.
For short-term needs, such as equipment failure or to bridge seasonal peaks, forklift rental is suitable. The rental fee is also based on certain factors, such as the running time, performance and equipment of the forklift. The costs for rental forklifts are usually billed per day, week or month.
Forklifts with a low load capacity can be rented from around €100 per day. Here too, the longer the rental period, the cheaper the rental price.
In addition to the purchase price, operating costs such as maintenance and repair as well as personnel and energy influence the total costs for forklifts:
The annual FEM-4.004 inspection (formerly UVV) costs between €130 and €250 for forklift trucks and is included in the service costs.
While high lift trucks can transport up to 2 tons, a forklift truck enables the lifting of heavier and larger loads. The compact design of the high lift truck is reflected in the lower purchase costs that have to be incurred compared to a forklift: New electric high lift trucks are available from around €2,500, new electric forklifts start at around €18,000.
However, the decision between a high lift truck and a forklift truck should not be based on price alone. Both industrial trucks offer versatile use for loading and unloading trucks, transporting pallets and lattice boxes, for order picking and much more. The modern equipment and features ensure high productivity, safety and ergonomics. The decision must be weighed up individually and depends on the respective needs.
Other important purchase criteria for high lift trucks and forklifts:
| high lift truck | forklifts |
|---|---|
With a high lift truck, loads of up to 2000 kg can be lifted without much effort. Lifting heights of up to 6m can be achieved. Despite their small size, they score highly for their efficiency.
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The high load capacity of up to 5 tons and more speaks in favor of forklifts and is therefore ideally suited for heavy and intensive work in production halls and warehouses.
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Depending on requirements and especially for small warehouses, manual high lift trucks are also suitable; these are available from €900, semi-electric models from €1,900.
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