When you’re in the market for a used forklift, one of the most important things to understand is its useful life. Whether you’re managing a warehouse or just running a small business that needs some heavy lifting done, getting this right can save you a lot of hassle (and cash) down the line. So, let’s have a bit of a look at what you need to keep in mind when you’re shopping around for second hand forklifts in Melbourne.
How Forklift Usage is Measured
Forklifts, much like cars, have a way to track their usage—only instead of kilometres, forklifts measure usage in hours. This makes sense when you think about it—forklifts are often in operation without covering much distance, so it’s more practical to measure how long they’ve been running rather than how far they’ve traveled.
Checking the hour meter on a used forklift is one of the easiest ways to get a sense of its overall condition. As with a used car, it won’t give you the full story. A forklift with high hours that’s been well-maintained and used in gentle conditions might be in better shape than one with fewer hours that’s been worked to the bone in a rough environment.
Still, it’s a good starting point—you’re essentially looking at how much life it might have left. The number of hours will give you an idea of how long the forklift has been in operation, which can indicate whether you’re likely to get a few more years out of it, or if it’s close to retirement.
Tip: If the hours are high, it doesn’t necessarily mean the forklift is on its last legs, but you’ll want to ask your Melbourne used forklift dealer a few more questions:
- Has it been used mostly indoors or outdoors?
- What kind of loads has it been lifting?
- And, has it been regularly serviced?
These details can give you a much clearer idea of whether the machine’s got a bit more life in it or if you’re buying into something that’s going to need constant repairs.
How Do You Read Forklift Hours?
Reading forklift hours is straightforward. There’s a meter, usually near the control panel, that shows the total hours the forklift has been in operation. Some newer models may have digital displays, while older forklifts might use a mechanical meter. It’s a bit like checking the odometer on a car—you’re looking for a number that tells you how much the machine has been worked.
But hours alone aren’t the whole picture. A forklift that’s been used in tough environments (like construction or outdoors) might wear out faster than one used indoors in a warehouse. You’ll want to ask questions about the machine’s previous work environment when looking at its history.
Forklift Hours to Kilometres: Is There a Comparison?
There isn’t an exact conversion from forklift hours to kilometres like you’d see with cars, but the general rule of thumb is 1 hour of forklift use is roughly equal to driving 30–50 kilometres. So, a forklift with 10,000 hours on the meter has seen the equivalent of 300,000 to 500,000 kilometres on the road. This gives you a rough idea of the wear and tear it’s been through.
It’s definitely a pretty wide span—30 to 50 kilometres per hour of forklift use leaves a lot of room for interpretation. But that’s the thing with forklifts—they’re not exactly cruising down the Monash Freeway at 100k’s. They spend a lot of time sitting still, lifting heavy loads, or moving back and forth in small spaces, which can put a different kind of strain on them compared to cars.
So, when someone says a used forklift with 10k hours on it is like a car with 300,000 to 500,000 km, it’s definitely not an exact science—but it does help give you a ballpark idea of the wear and tear it’s seen.
Those hours, while useful as a guide, should always be considered alongside the forklift’s maintenance history and the kind of environment it’s been operating in.
How Long Will My Forklift Last?
On average, a forklift has a useful life of around 10,000 hours. However, this number can vary greatly depending on a range of factors, including:
- Working Environment: A forklift that’s used indoors in clean conditions will usually outlast one that’s constantly exposed to dust, dirt, or rough outdoor conditions.
- Workload and intensity: The more intensively the forklift is used (e.g., frequent heavy lifting or long operating hours), the faster it will accumulate wear and tear.
- Operator Behavior: Good operators who know how to handle the machine can extend its lifespan, while careless use can lead to more frequent breakdowns.
- Maintenance Practices: Regular maintenance—like oil changes, tyre checks, and replacing worn parts—will help prolong a forklift’s life.
- Fuel Type: Electric forklifts may have fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel ones, meaning they can sometimes last longer if maintained properly.
- Brand: Some brands, like Toyota, are known for lasting well beyond the 10,000-hour mark, with reports of some forklifts pushing past 50,000 hours with proper care.
Common Forklift Lifespans
While 10,000 hours is the average benchmark, it’s important to note that certain brands and models can greatly exceed that figure. Electric forklifts, for instance, often have fewer parts that wear down compared to internal combustion models, which can give them a longer lifespan in some cases.
That said, petrol, diesel, and LPG forklifts can still last quite a while if they’re well-maintained. It’s not uncommon to see these machines hitting anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 hours or even more. They’ve got more moving parts, which means more things that can go wrong, but with regular servicing and proper use, they can keep going strong for years.
And then there are those outliers—machines that seem to last forever. Toyota forklifts, for instance, have a reputation for extreme durability. There are stories of some Toyota models hitting 50,000 hours and still being in good working order. These are unusual cases, but they do happen, and it’s usually because the forklift was well-maintained and used in less harsh conditions.
So while 10,000 hours is a solid number to keep in mind, don’t be surprised if you come across a used forklift with a lot more hours under its belt, especially if it’s from a top-tier brand like Toyota or well-cared-for electric models.
The Key Takeaway: Look beyond just the hours on the meter and consider how the forklift has been used and maintained. That’ll give you a better sense of whether it’s got plenty of life left or is nearing the end of its run.
When Should You Replace a Forklift?
The best time to replace your forklift isn’t necessarily when it stops working, nor is it when it hits the 10,000 hour mark—it’s when maintaining it becomes more costly than it’s worth.
Other signs that it might be time to retire your forklift include:
- Frequent breakdowns or service calls
- Difficulty sourcing replacement parts
- Major repairs costing more than 30% of the forklift’s current value
Forklifts, like any other machine, will naturally need more attention as they age. If you’re finding that repairs and servicing are becoming a regular (and expensive) part of owning your forklift, it’s worth doing some maths. A good rule of thumb is that if your maintenance costs are climbing past the 30% mark of the forklift’s current value, you should start thinking about a replacement. At this point, it’s no longer cost-effective to keep sinking money into repairs.
If you’re constantly dealing with unexpected downtime, it’s not just frustrating—it’s also costing your business productivity. Whether it’s a forklift that refuses to start up on cold mornings or one that’s always in and out of the workshop, those delays can add up quickly, and it might be more practical to invest in a newer, more reliable machine.
Tip: You’ll also want to consider how easy (or difficult) it is to find replacement parts. As forklifts get older, parts become harder to come by, especially if the manufacturer has discontinued that model. If sourcing parts turns into a treasure hunt every time something needs fixing, that’s a good indication that the forklift is nearing the end of its useful life.
Final Thoughts
When you’re in the market for used forklifts in Melbourne, there’s more to think about than just how the machine looks on the surface, or finding a low price. The hour meter is a great starting point, but it’s not the whole picture.
Take a good, hard look at how the forklift has been used. Was it worked hard in a rough outdoor environment, or did it spend its life cruising around a clean warehouse floor? Those details are important. A forklift that’s been put through its paces in tough conditions might be close to retirement even if the hour count is relatively low. A machine that’s had a more cushy life might still have plenty to give, even if the hours are stacking up.
Maintenance is another big one. A forklift that’s been well-maintained can keep going strong for years, even with higher hours on the clock. But if you’re buying something with a lot of hours that’s been neglected, you’re likely to end up spending more time dealing with repairs than actually getting any work done.
If you’re in looking for reliable used forklifts in Melbourne, doing some homework can be very helpful. Know what to look for, ask the right questions, and don’t be afraid to walk away if something doesn’t feel right. It’s always better to spend a bit of extra time upfront than to be stuck with a machine that gives you nothing but trouble down the road.
