Bottlenecks at the dock. Missed deadlines. Operators standing around waiting for a machine to free up.
If your forklift fleet can’t keep up, your whole operation feels it—fast.
In Melbourne’s fast-moving logistics and warehousing sectors, the right forklift isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s the difference between staying ahead or falling behind.
Whether you’re scaling up in Dandenong or replacing ageing gear in Tullamarine, knowing what to buy (and where to buy) can save serious time, money, and headaches.
Why Forklifts Sales Are Critical in Melbourne
If you’re running a warehouse in Laverton North or moving containers near the Port of Melbourne, you already know—forklifts aren’t just part of the job. They are the job. Every minute a load isn’t moving is money lost. Tight turnaround times, high-volume shifts, and limited floor space mean you need machines that can handle the pace without breaking down, backing up workflow, or chewing through fuel and maintenance budgets.
Victoria’s industrial belt doesn’t slow down, and neither should your equipment. The right forklift—whether it’s a fast-charging electric model for narrow racking or a diesel workhorse for outdoor yard use—can be the difference between making quota and falling behind.
Investing in the right machine and the right sales partner can keep trucks turning around faster, staff working safer, and product moving without interruptions.
Types of Forklifts Available for Sale in Melbourne
Not every forklift belongs in every warehouse. The wrong machine slows down workflows, racks up maintenance costs, and creates safety headaches. The right one? It fits your layout, your team, and your load profile like a glove—and runs hard every day without getting in the way.
Here’s a quick overview of popular forklift types on the market in Melbourne:
Counterbalance Forklifts
If you’re moving pallets on and off trucks or shifting bulk around the warehouse floor, this is your bread and butter. Counterbalance forklifts are the most versatile—used everywhere from local freight depots to high-volume distribution centres. You’ll find electric models ideal for indoor use and tighter environments, while diesel or LPG variants handle heavier loads and outdoor yards without blinking.
You’ll also need to decide between sit-down and stand-up forklifts. Sit-down’s better for longer runs and all-day use. Stand-up offers quicker entry/exit and suits operations with frequent on-off movement or tighter spaces.
Reach Trucks
Got racking that goes five, six, seven metres up? Reach trucks are purpose-built for it. These are engineered for narrow aisles and vertical pick zones—common in third-party logistics warehouses, freezer storage, and high-density racking. They’re electric, highly manoeuvrable, and typically stand-up, making them fast and efficient for operators covering short distances with lots of stops.
If your floor space is worth more than your square footage, you probably need reach trucks.
Order Pickers
Running a pick-and-pack warehouse or an e-commerce fulfilment operation? You don’t need brute strength—you need speed and precision. Order pickers let staff access multiple levels of racking to manually pick items, ideal for high SKU, low-unit environments like retail and fast-moving consumer goods. These are almost always stand-up, with elevated platforms to reach shelf levels quickly.
Reach trucks move pallets. Order pickers move products.
Rough Terrain Forklifts
If your site isn’t smooth concrete, your forklift can’t be either. Rough terrain models are built for construction zones, yard work, and anywhere that gravel, mud, or debris make standard forklifts useless. They’ve got big tyres, strong suspension, and serious lifting power.
These are almost always sit-down, diesel-powered units—and they’re built to survive where warehouse forklifts won’t last.
Telehandlers
Need reach and lift in equal measure? Telehandlers give you both. With a boom arm that extends forward and upward, these machines work well on job sites where standard forklifts can’t get close enough. While traditionally used in agriculture and construction, some large-scale logistics operators now use them for container handling or non-standard loads.
They’re not cheap, and they’re overkill for pallet work—but if you’ve got complex lift needs, they might be exactly what your fleet’s missing.
Electric vs Internal Combustion: What’s Best for Your Operation?
Melbourne businesses are increasingly making the switch to electric forklifts, particularly in inner-city warehouses or temperature-controlled environments. The benefits include:
- Zero emissions (ideal for indoor use)
- Quieter operation
- Lower running costs
- Fewer maintenance requirements
However, internal combustion (IC) forklifts still hold value in high-load, outdoor, or long-shift applications. Diesel and LPG models offer more power and faster refuelling, making them suitable for demanding conditions like freight yards in Brooklyn or Altona.
Buying New vs Used Forklifts in Melbourne
Dealerships across Melbourne—from Campbellfield to Moorabbin—offer both new and used forklifts. Your decision will depend on your budget, frequency of use, and specific job requirements.
Buying New:
- Comes with manufacturer warranty
- Latest safety and performance features
- Ideal for high-usage environments
- Better long-term ROI if used frequently
Buying Used:
- More affordable upfront
- Suitable for low-frequency or light-duty operations
- Quick turnaround times for availability
- Be sure to request full service history and inspection
Some second-hand forklift dealers in Melbourne also offer ex-fleet machines that have been professionally maintained and can offer better value than buying used equipment (of the standard variety).
Top Brands Available in the Melbourne Market
Toyota
Tough to beat for reliability and resale. Toyota forklifts are a favourite in Melbourne and its many warehouses for one reason: they work hard without fuss. Whether you’re running electric in a CBD fulfilment centre or LPG at a Western Suburbs yard, these machines are built to last and hold their value if you’re ever refreshing your fleet.
They also integrate well with safety systems and fleet management tools, making them a smart choice for operations with tight compliance or productivity targets.
Hyster
Built like tanks and made for hard work. Hyster is a go-to for heavy-duty applications—think steel, timber, freight yards, and anywhere a 3-tonne electric just won’t cut it. Their diesel and LPG models are known for power, stability, and operator control under load.
If your floor isn’t perfect or your shifts are brutal, Hyster machines will keep showing up.
Nichiyu
For clean, compact indoor ops, Nichiyu electric forklifts punch well above their weight. Made in Japan and built with precision, they’re smooth, quiet, and efficient—ideal for food storage, pharma, or any warehouse with strict emissions or space concerns.
They don’t have the brand recognition of Toyota or Mitsubishi, but in the right setup, they’ll outperform flashier brands on total cost of ownership.
Mitsubishi
Solid all-rounders that don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Mitsubishi forklifts have a reputation for reliability without the price premium of some competitors. You’ll find them in a lot of mid-size operations—import/export, packaging, manufacturing—where performance matters but budgets still count.
Expect straightforward controls, low-maintenance drivetrains, and solid dealer support across Melbourne.
Yale
Yale has a long history in materials handling and still earns its place in serious warehouses. Known for ergonomic design and operator comfort, Yale forklifts are a smart option if your crew is running full shifts with minimal downtime. Less fatigue, fewer mistakes, safer days.
They offer strong electric options as well, making them a good fit for mixed indoor/outdoor sites.
Forklifts for Sale in Melbourne
Forklift sales in Melbourne are driven by the needs of a fast-moving, logistics-heavy economy. From inner-city warehouses to regional construction sites, the right forklift can dramatically enhance productivity, safety, and cost-efficiency. Whether you’re after a compact electric model for narrow aisles or a heavy-duty diesel beast for rough terrain, there’s a wide range of options to suit any operation and budget.
Investing in a forklift is more than a business purchase—it’s a critical infrastructure decision that should align with your workflow, growth plans, and compliance responsibilities. Melbourne forklift dealers like Triwest, with extensive selections and industry expertise, are well-positioned to help you get it right the first time.
