HOW MUCH DOES A FORKLIFT COST?
If you’re looking at forklifts for sale in New Zealand, you’ve probably seen a wide range of prices. Believe it or not a brand new standard capacity forklift might cost approximately NZ$20,000 -$100,000 or more. While these ranges might seem to be wide, that’s because we at ITS Forklifts work to match the specifications of your new forklift to your needs, help you improve warehouse efficiency and find you exactly the right solution.
So why is there such a huge price range? Let’s take a look at the top five factors that determine a forklift’s price:
Capacity
Simply put, the higher the operating capacity, the higher the forklift price. It is important to ascertain you load parameters and application as accurately as possible to ensure you don’t spend too much, or too little and end up dissatisfied with your purchase.
Lift height
Lift height and Mast configuration is another factor which will affect the forklift price. Masts come in 2 or 3 stage (usually container compatible), and the taller the mast the more it costs to manufacture.
Custom builds and optional extras
Naturally if you need something special you would expect to pay more. When comparing forklifts, you will need keep in mind the cost of any attachments, accessories and additional safety features. In a previous article, 7 things to consider when you buy a forklift, we have mentioned how attachments will affect the lift truck’s residual capacity, which in turn may necessitate a slightly higher base capacity.
Fuel Type
Electric forklifts cost more upfront but are so much less expensive to own.
For example, an operation running a lift truck 2,500 hours per year:
- You will spend roughly $1,500-$2,000 per year in operating costs for an electric forklift
- Compared to $12,000-$15,000 for a diesel forklift, and $10,000-$12,500 per year for an LPG forklift
If you plan to use the forklift for more than 5 years/10,000 hours choose a forklift with a reputation for reliability, high availability of consumable parts and low total cost of ownership.
Manufacturer
Not all forklifts are created equal. We proudly supply robust Japanese and sophisticated German products. Our Brands include Jungheinrich, Ameise, TCM, Unicarriers, and Flexi Articulating forklifts.
Something to keep in mind: Total cost of ownership is more important than the upfront cost. This means if you choose your machinery and supply partner well, you will achieve cost savings in the long run. Most of the time paying a bit more upfront pays off.
Should your utilisation be low and you are on a tight budget, you can always consider our quality used equipment.
Tip: If you plan to use the forklift for more than 5 years/10,000 hours:
- Choose a forklift with a reputation for reliability and low cost of ownership
- Pay extra attention to maintenance and forklift service to prevent costly repairs and unplanned downtime. A good way to spread costs evenly and not have to concern yourself with management of maintenance issues is to consider Long Term Rentals. That way you can concentrate on operating your core business activities and leave the running of the machines to ITS.
