Shopping for a forklift is a big investment. If you’ve been considering upgrading your operations, chances are you’ve already spent time weighing up your needs and budget – but might not yet be ready to take the leap.
While it’s not exactly an impulse purchase, it’s one that’s worth its weight. The right forklift can boost productivity, streamline operations, and handle your toughest demands without breaking a sweat. So you might be wondering – when is the right time to buy a forklift?
Unlike TVs or appliances, forklifts don’t really fall under the typical sales calendar like Boxing Day or Black Friday. But there are definitely clear signs where you might realise that it’s time to make the upgrade. Whether you’re starting a new business, scaling your business, dealing with a unit that’s on its way out, or coming up to seasonal and financial periods like End of Financial Year sales (hello tax write offs!), timing your purchase can make a big difference. Other triggers that you might not consider – like your forklift lease ending, updated safety and compliance standards, or even changes in fuel costs – can signal that it’s time to act.
Whatever your reason, here are some of the best times to invest in a forklift and take your operations to the next level.
Skip ahead to what best matches your business:
The First Time: Buying When Starting a New Business
Launching a new business is about setting yourself up for success. And if your operations involve some heavy lifting (let’s be honest, most do, even ifs not always literal), a forklift isn’t just helpful – it’s essential. It’s your silent productivity partner that works overtime, so you don’t have to.
Think about your first few months: you’re fitting out your space, you’re receiving deliveries, and trying to fulfil orders for customers as quickly as possible. A forklift takes the weight off your shoulders – transforming hours of manual labour into quick and easy jobs that protect your team’s energy and body for the work that actually requires brainpower.
Plus, showing up with the right tools can impress your clients and partners, clearly saying “we’re serious about this.” No asking to borrow your mate’s fork (or ute), no cheap and quick fixes to solve your problems – just straight serious business.
Growing Pains: Buying for Business Expansion
If business is booming, you might just be ready to take the next step and scale up. It’s a good problem to have, but only if your operations can keep up. The tools and processes that got you here might have been efficient before, but if you’re finding issues creeping up slowly, they might just be holding you back. That’s where an additional forklift can help ease the workload.
A clear sign that it’s time to upgrade is when your team starts lining up to use the forklift – or worse, improvising workarounds that compromise safety. Whether you’re taking on larger or higher volumes of jobs, relying on a single unit can slow things down. Plus, if orders are delayed, deadlines are coming fast, and you’re spending more on overtime, they’re not just short-term headaches – they’re missed opportunities for growth.
Your current forklift might also be showing signs of being overworked. Heavy usage means more frequent maintenance, which means more downtime where your team can’t operate. And if it’s pushed to its limit? There’s a higher risk of breakdowns, leading to even MORE costly downtime. Adding another unit to your fleet doesn’t just boost capacity; it also reduces pressure on your existing equipment and keeps things moving.
If your team are struggling, it’s more than just an inconvenience. It’s time wasted, lost productivity, increased safety risks, and less orders fulfilled. Investing in a forklift is also an investment in your team, your productivity, and your long-term success.
Swap It Out: Buying To Replace or Upgrade Your Current Unit
You might think your current forklift is doing just fine – but it is really meeting your needs? While your forklift might be just hitting the mark, using the wrong or outdated equipment could be costing you more than you realise.
Every forklift has a lifespan, and as your workload increases, an overworked forklift can show its age through frequent breakdowns and rising maintenance costs. And if yours is constantly in the shop, the repair bills might even exceed the cost of upgrading.
As your business evolves, your forklift solution should also evolve with it. Growing order volumes or additional inventory might require a capacity upgrade. If you’re starting to handle long, bulky stock? A side loader forklift might be the smarter choice. Wanting to change your warehouse layout? An articulated forklift or reach forklift can help you tighten up your aisles while keeping productivity high. And if you’re starting to take your operations outside, switching to an internal combustion (IC) forklift or even a rough terrain forklift might make more sense!
Upgrading your forklift isn’t just about power or capacity – it’s also about investing in the latest tech. Newer models often include advanced safety features and smart technology designed to help your team work faster, safer and more efficiently.
Buying For Seasonal & Financial Timing Opportunities
If you’ve been on the fence for a while about upgrading your forklift solution, the right time to act might be closer than you think. Certain times of the year offer better opportunities to make your move – whether its taking advantage of financial incentives or preparing your business for your busiest periods.
One of the most strategic times for businesses to invest in a forklift is during End of Financial Year (EOFY). Many forklift suppliers and distributors, including Fork Force, offer EOFY promotions that can help you secure a high-quality forklift at competitive prices. It’s also a great time to leverage government tax incentives that can significantly lower your overall investment.
Right now, eligible small businesses can benefit from the Australian Government’s Small Business Support instant asset write-off scheme, with up to $20,000 available up until 30 June 2025*. This can help deduct the full cost of eligible depreciating assets, including second-hand equipment like used forklifts.
Seasonal demand is another key signal that it might be time to upgrade. If your team is stretched during peak periods – such as the Christmas retail season, end-of-year warehouse surges, or large-scale event seasons – an additional forklift can be difference between meeting demand smoothly or falling behind.
*Eligible businesses may qualify for an immediate tax deduction of up to $20,000 per asset under the Small Business Support Scheme. Terms, conditions and eligibility criteria apply. We recommend consulting with your tax advisor or visiting the official government website for current program details and confirmation of your business’s qualification.
New Beginnings: Buying When Your Hire Is Lease Ending
A forklift lease ending isn’t just a deadline – it’s the perfect time to rethink about what’s right for your business. Whether you’ve been using a short-term hire forklift for a few jobs, or you’ve had a long-term hire forklift integrated into your daily operations – investing in a forklift might be the smarter option for your business, your team and your finances.
Don’t get us wrong – hiring can be a great solution, particularly for flexibility. But over time, short term and long-term forklift hire rates can quickly add up. In many cases, purchasing a forklift outright or opting for a flexible payment option like Fork Force’s Rent-To-Own™ can be more cost-effective for your business if you’re going to continue needing a forklift over the long run. Rather than paying hire rates indefinitely, choosing ownership gives you more control over your finances and your forklift.
Additionally, if you’ve already “test driven” the equipment, you already know how the unit’s capabilities and limitations. You already know how it performs, how your team works with it, and if it’s currently meeting your needs – which is a HUGE deciding factor when making a forklift purchase.
Alternatively, if you found your forklift rental lacked certain features, didn’t keep up productivity demands, or lacked the latest in safety and technology improvements, you now have the chance to choose a model that actually ticks all the boxes.
Moving from hire to ownership isn’t just about saving money – it’s a smart investment that supports your team and boosts productivity.
Buying To Improve Safety and Compliance
Ensuring your forklift is up to standard for your unique operational needs is crucial to ensure your team are operating confidently and safety. If you’re finding issues around your forklift operation popping up more than they should, it might be time to upgrade.
Older models may lack modern safety features that are available on newer models, such as visibility cameras, pedestrian safety zone lighting, and operational presence safety (OPS) systems. Without additional safety features, you can increase the risk of hazards in the workplace from forklift operations.
And if your team are complaining about “close calls”, these aren’t just small issues – your operators are telling you that there are limitations with your current forklift. Before you know it, these near misses could become accidents – harming your team as well as your business. Modern forklifts are engineered with ergonomic designs to help reduce fatigue related errors, supporting your team’s physical and mental health, and boosting productivity.
Upgrading your forklift can also be due to evolving business needs. If your business is changing inventory, environments or even growing in volumes, upgrading your forklift so support these changes is a necessary one.
Buying To Offset Fuel Cost Increases
Fuel prices can be a pretty big expense, whether you’re using your forklift for environments like construction, warehousing, logistics, agriculture or retail. Whether you’re able to consistently budget for Diesel or LPG, or underestimating the volatility of petrol, fuel costs can quickly add up. And if you’re spending more on fuel than you’d like, your profit margins take a hit – money that could be invested into growing your business instead of just keeping your equipment running.
If you’re over these expenses and are considering a forklift with a more cost-effective fuel solution, electric forklifts may be the upgrade you need! Battery electric forklifts and lithium forklifts offer more consistent “fuel” pricing by locking in to your electricity rates, saving you more money in the long run. And if your business already runs on solar or other renewable energy? Even better!
By opting for an electric forklift, you’re not just choosing a budget-friendly alternative – you’re investing in smarter solutions.
So, When Should I Buy?
Purchasing a forklift is a big decision – but it’s one that can elevate your operations and maximise your investment for real growth. Whether you’re starting up or growing your business, upgrading outdates equipment, or capitalising on seasonal and financial timing opportunities, each scenario presents a compelling reason to take the leap.
Replacing an outdated or inefficient forklift boosts productivity and safety, while transitioning from a lease to ownership can offer long-term savings as well as more control over your unit. And with fluctuating fuel costs or evolving compliance standards, upgrading isn’t just smart – it’s essential to get ahead of your competitors.
The bottom line? The best time to buy a forklift is when your current forklift or operational needs is no longer supporting your business goals and is holding you back. By making a strategic purchase, you’re not just buying equipment – you’re investing in smoother operations, better productivity, lower costs and a stronger, more efficient business ready to take on anything.
Ready to get started? Get in touch with our team of forklift specialists today to elevate your operations today!
Need a forklift solution? Fork Force offers short-term hire (under 3 months), long-term hire, and our exclusive Rent-To-Own Program. With over 4,000 forklifts in our fleet and nationwide support, including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and beyond; we are ready to help you find the perfect solution.
Call us on 1300 423 675 or request a quote today to discuss your needs and keep your forklifts moving!
