Forklift Hire in Campbellfield

If you’re hiring a forklift in Campbellfield, you’re probably not doing it for fun—you’ve got a job to get done, and it needs doing properly. Maybe you’ve had a breakdown, maybe you’re shifting stock for end-of-month, or maybe you just need to boost capacity short-term.

Whatever the case, the forklift you bring onto your site has to suit your workload, terrain, and compliance requirements—no guesswork. And in a place like Campbellfield, where most of the work is industrial and hands-on, there’s no shortage of forklifts for hire or sale. But the trick is knowing what actually suits your operation.

This guide breaks down the practical stuff—what type of forklift fits which job, what to watch out for in the hire process, and how to make sure you’re not stuck with the wrong machine or paying more than you should.

1. Understand the Campbellfield Context

Campbellfield’s not your typical suburb—it’s one of Melbourne’s major industrial zones, sitting about 16km north of the CBD, between the Hume Highway, Sydney Road, and the Ring Road. It’s full of warehouses, wreckers, light manufacturers, and yards moving steel, timber, and heavy gear all day.

Most forklift activity here is B2B, not retail. You’ll find:

• Warehouses and distribution centers
  
• Automotive parts and wreckers
  
• Light manufacturing
  
• Steel and timber yards
  
• Equipment and machinery dealers

That’s why local hire companies aren’t just offering generic forklifts—they’ve got proper fleets built for commercial use, and their pricing reflects that. It’s a part of Melbourne where it helps know what you’re asking for before you pick up the phone.

Of course, if you’re not exactly sure what type of forklift you need, that’s actually pretty common—especially if you’re not hiring equipment every day. In Campbellfield, forklift hire companies are used to dealing with businesses that just know they need to “move a few pallets” or “reach something up high” but aren’t sure what specs that requires.

Here’s what you can do:

• Be clear about the job, not the machine. Instead of guessing the model, explain what you’re moving, how much it weighs, how high it needs to go, and what the ground surface is like.
  
• Mention your site constraints. Is it indoors or outdoors? Do you have narrow aisles? Overhead clearance issues? A tight doorway?
  
• Share your timeframe. How long you’ll need the forklift can affect what’s available and what makes the most sense economically.
  

The better forklift hire companies in Melbourne will help you choose the right forklift based on that info. If appropriate, they may even send someone out to assess your site if it’s a larger job or long-term hire. The important thing is to give them enough detail up front so they can match you with the safest, most cost-effective option for your needs.

2. Choosing the Right Type of Forklift for Your Job

Don’t just ask for “a forklift.” You need the right category, fuel type, capacity, and mast height for your specific task.

Here are the most common forklift types available for hire in Campbellfield:

Tip: LPG forklifts are commonly used indoors and outdoors. But note that some warehouses restrict internal combustion forklifts, especially diesel, due to emissions.

3. Key Variables That Affect Hire Pricing

Most forklift hire in Campbellfield is priced daily, weekly, or monthly—with large discounts for long-term hires.

Expect the following factors to impact pricing:

As of 2025, baseline dry hire rates in Campbellfield (not including GST or delivery) generally follow a predictable pattern:

• 1.5T electric counterbalance forklifts (for indoor use) tend to sit at the lower end of the pricing scale, especially for short-term warehouse jobs.
  
• 2.5T LPG counterbalance forklifts cost slightly more, given their versatility for both indoor and outdoor use.
  
• Reach trucks typically carry a premium due to their specialised use in tight warehouse aisles and high racking.
  
• Telehandlers and rough-terrain forklifts are the most expensive category, with pricing that varies significantly based on size, lift height, and added features.
  

Longer hire terms generally bring better daily value, and the more specialised the machine, the higher the base rate.

4. Licensing & Legal Requirements

In Victoria, you must hold a valid High-Risk Work Licence (LF or LO) to operate a forklift. This is regulated by WorkSafe Victoria.

• The LF licence covers most forklifts you’ll come across—standard counterbalance models, reach trucks, and the like.
  
• The LO licence is for order pickers—the type where the operator platform is raised with the load, typically in high-bay warehouse settings.
  

If you’re hiring a forklift in Campbellfield, the hire company won’t hand over the keys unless you’ve got someone with the right licence lined up to operate it. Many providers will ask for licence details before confirming the booking—especially if it’s dry hire.

If you’re going for wet hire (forklift with an operator), the hire company will handle compliance on their end. But if you’re supplying your own operators—whether it’s one of your crew or a subcontractor—the legal responsibility sits with you. Under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004), it’s your job to ensure everyone operating machinery is correctly licenced and working in a safe environment.

Note: On larger sites around Campbellfield—where it’s not uncommon to have contractors from multiple companies working side-by-side—you need systems in place to verify tickets, monitor usage, and keep your risk profile clean. WorkSafe doesn’t care who caused the issue—if it’s your site, you’re the one who’ll be answering questions if things go wrong.

5. Delivery and Transport

Forklift hire companies in Campbellfield typically deliver to site via tilt tray or flatbed, depending on the size and weight of the machine. Because some providers are based locally—and may be just a few blocks from your site—logistics are typically quick and efficient.

Delivery fees can vary depending on a few key factors:

• Distance from depot to site: Within Campbellfield or nearby suburbs like Broadmeadows, Thomastown, or Epping, you’ll usually get the most competitive delivery rates. Once you start moving into outer metro or regional zones, expect the price to climb.
• Forklift size and weight: A walkie stacker or small counterbalance can ride on a tilt tray without drama. But if you’re hiring a telehandler, rough-terrain unit, or high-capacity diesel forklift, transport needs can include oversized float trailers, loading ramps, or escorts—especially if height or width is a factor.
• Site accessibility: Some businesses have proper loading docks or existing forklifts on-site to handle the drop-off. Others don’t—which means the hire company needs to factor in extra equipment, staff, or coordination to unload safely.

If you’re moving the forklift between job sites, it’s worth checking whether your hire provider offers:

• Multi-site relocation packages
• Daily float rates
• “On-call” transport, where they keep a truck available during critical project windows

If not, each pickup and drop-off is usually charged as a separate transport event, and costs can stack up fast—especially if your timing doesn’t line up with their usual delivery runs.

Note: For companies operating across Campbellfield’s industrial corridor, where multiple sites might be in play for staging, temporary storage, or just shifting the load, planning your transport logistics upfront is important for your hire budget.

If you’re moving a forklift between multiple job sites, some hire companies offer relocation packages or daily float rates. If not, every move will be charged as a separate transport fee.

6. Maintenance & Downtime

Forklifts hired from reputable providers in Campbellfield are maintained according to strict schedules. But accidents and breakdowns happen.

Before signing a hire agreement, confirm:

• Who covers downtime? (If the forklift breaks down, do you get a replacement? A credit?)
• Who pays for punctured tyres, cracked forks, or body damage?
• Are routine wear items—like tyres or filters—your responsibility during long-term hire?

Many contracts include damage waivers, but they don’t cover misuse, like lifting beyond rated capacity or improper refueling.

7. Tips When Hiring Forklifts in Campbellfield

• Know your surface conditions. Many Campbellfield sites are a mix of sealed and unsealed ground. If it’s gravel or dirt, make sure you get pneumatic tyres or a rough-terrain model.
• Check your racking clearance. Mismatching mast height to warehouse racking is a common mistake. Measure before you book.
• Ask about telemetry or hour meters. Some forklifts include digital tracking for billing and maintenance—helpful for cost control.
  Beware of minimum hire periods. Many companies charge 1-day minimums even if you need the machine for just 2 hours.
  

8. Local Forklift Hire Providers

The following types of businesses typically operate in the area.

• Dedicated forklift rental depots
• Material handling specialists (who also sell parts and offer servicing)
• Machinery hire companies with broader fleets (also offer scissor lifts, telehandlers, etc.)

Always confirm that they’re VIC-licensed, insured, and offer support in case of issues.

Triwest Forklifts Melbourne

Unit 2/105 Merola Way

Campbellfield, VIC 3061

1800 874 937

Triwest Forklifts is a well-regarded local operator serving Melbourne’s warehousing and logistics sectors, especially around the northern industrial corridor. Known for being a solid alternative to the bigger national and global brands, Triwest has built a reputation on straightforward service, a broad fleet, and fast turnaround.

With warranties and responsive repair service which keeps downtime to a minimum, businesses across Campbellfield and beyond rely on them for everything from short-term forklift hire to long-term fleet support.

Forklift Hire Campbellfield

Campbellfield’s not a retail district—it’s a proper industrial zone where local hire companies deal with equipment handling gear day in and day out. They know the difference between a one-off weekend job and a full-scale logistics operation, and they stock the gear to match.

If you come in with the right details—what kind of lift you need, how long it’s needed for, and what kind of site it’s going to—there’s a good chance you’ll get matched with exactly the right unit. The more specific you can be up front, the easier it is to avoid downtime, last-minute changes, or other issues.

That said, if you’re not sure what kind of forklift you need, that’s completely normal—especially if you don’t hire equipment often. Campbellfield forklift hire companies like Triwest are used to working with clients who can describe the job but not the specs.

The best thing you can do is explain what you’re moving, how heavy it is, how high it needs to go, what kind of surface it’s on, and whether you’re working indoors or out. Details like aisle width, door clearance, or how long you need the machine also help.

With that info, most local providers can recommend the right forklift for the job—even if you’re not across the technical side.