A new reach truck in Australia costs from about $34,000 for an entry lead-acid model to $75,000 or more for a 10-13 m machine (GST basis not stated). A 2 t lithium reach truck from an importer brand is advertised at about $48,000-$60,000 ex GST. Used reach trucks mostly sell for $9,500-$19,500 ex GST, and hire costs about $155-$220 a week ex GST. Prices are as at October 2026, and the same bands answer what a high reach forklift costs.
Reach truck prices at a glance
Reach truck prices split by condition, then by lift height and battery, as the table shows.
| Option | Typical lift height | Indicative price | Source and GST basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| New, entry level, lead-acid | 6-8 m | From about $34,000 to $40,000 | Planning guide (March 2026) and listings (October 2026), GST basis not stated |
| New, 2 t lithium, importer brands | 8-10 m | About $48,000-$60,000 | Dealer listings, October 2026, ex GST |
| New, high spec or double-deep | 10-13 m | $60,000-$75,000 or more | Planning guide, March 2026, GST basis not stated |
| Used, refurbished | 6-10 m | Mostly $9,500-$19,500 | Listings, October 2026, ex GST |
| Used, older, sold as is | Varies | From about $5,000 | Listings, October 2026, ex GST |
| Hire, 2 t ride-on | Up to about 10.5 m | About $155-$220 a week | Advertised rates, March and October 2026, ex GST |
The bands are wide because each reach truck is built around its mast, battery and options. Major brands don't publish reach truck prices, so their new machines are quoted on request. If your site also loads trucks or works outside, a counterbalance forklift may suit better, so compare forklift prices by power type too.
How does lift height change the price of a reach truck?
Lift height changes the price of a reach truck because a taller mast costs more, and every reach truck loses capacity as it lifts higher. Buy on the weight you need at your top beam, not the rating in the model name.
The Hangcha XC Series reach truck shows how steep the drop is. At a 600 mm load centre, the 2.5 t model holds 2,500 kg up to 6.5 m, 1,950 kg at 10 m and 1,000 kg at 13 m. The 1.4 t model holds 1,400 kg up to 6.0 m, but only 350 kg at 11 m. Under AS 2359.1, the capacity plate must show the capacity at maximum lift height.
Lead-acid or lithium: which reach truck battery costs less?
A lead-acid reach truck costs less to buy, while lithium often costs less to run on multi-shift sites. One Australian planning guide (March 2026, GST basis not stated) puts the lithium premium at about $8,000-$15,000.
Lead-acid batteries typically last 1,000-1,500 cycles and take 6-8 hours to charge, plus cooling time. Two- and three-shift sites often buy spare batteries and a changeover setup. Flooded lead-acid batteries give off hydrogen while charging, so the charging area needs good ventilation and no ignition sources.
Lithium batteries typically last 3,000 cycles or more and often charge fully in under 2 hours, so you can top them up at breaks. On one shift a day, lead-acid is usually the cheaper choice. On two or more shifts, lithium usually makes more sense, because it removes the spare battery and the changeover.
Double-deep and pantograph reach truck prices
A double-deep reach truck costs more than a single-deep one, because it has to place a pallet behind another pallet. A pantograph (scissor) reach truck or a reach truck with telescopic forks can both do it. Hangcha's X Series pantograph reach truck covers 1.4-2 t and lifts up to 11.5 m.
Capacity drops sharply when the load sits further out. One manufacturer example shows a truck rated at 2,000 kg at a 600 mm load centre handling only about 667 kg at 1,800 mm. Ask for the load chart at the double-deep position before you compare prices.
Options that add to a reach truck quote
Options add to a reach truck quote, so compare quotes on the same specification. On the Hangcha XC 1.4-2.5 t, priced options include:
- fingertip controls with height display, height selection and height limit (XC4D models)
- a fork camera and a fork positioning laser
- a blue warning spot light
- a cold storage package
- a 404 Ah battery (over 10 hours' work) instead of the standard 250 Ah (over 6 hours)
Four-way reach trucks and turret trucks aren't covered by these bands and are quoted to the job. If your racking tops out below about 5.5 m and loads are light, a walk-behind stacker may cost much less. Compare what a walkie stacker costs first.
Worked example: pricing a reach truck for 10 m racking
Say you store 1,200 kg pallets with the top beam at 10 m, on one shift a day and a smooth concrete floor.
Start with capacity at 10 m. The Hangcha XC 2.5 t holds 1,950 kg at that height, which leaves a margin over the 1,200 kg pallet. The 1.4 t model drops to 350 kg at 11 m, so it can't be relied on near the top.
Next, the price band. A 10 m lift sits between the 8-10 m lithium row and the 10-13 m high-spec row in the table. A 2 t lithium truck with a 9.5 m mast is advertised from about $50,000 ex GST (October 2026). Stepping up to 2.5 t and 10 m adds to that, so plan on about $60,000 before options, delivery and GST.
The XC is lithium only, and its standard 250 Ah battery can be topped up at breaks. A fork camera and laser are worth pricing at 10 m, because the operator judges fork position from far below. If the budget doesn't stretch, hiring a 2 t truck at the table's weekly rates costs about $8,060-$11,440 ex GST over 52 weeks, before delivery.
Used reach truck prices and what to check
Used reach truck prices depend mostly on age, hours and battery condition. Examples listed in October 2026, all ex GST, include a refurbished double-deep truck with a 10.1 m mast and camera at $21,430. Two 1.6 t trucks with 6 m and 8 m masts were listed at $9,500 and $10,500.
The March 2026 planning guide puts used and refurbished reach trucks higher, at $12,000-$35,000 (GST basis not stated). Newer trucks with healthy batteries sit at the top of that range. Before you buy, check:
- hours: a used forklift with under 10,000 hours is generally a safer bet
- age: machines 3-7 years old often give the best balance of cost and reliability
- battery age, condition and charge cycles
- the capacity plate, which should show the capacity at maximum lift height for the mast fitted
- service history, and a technician's inspection before you pay
Budget for a battery when you price an old truck. The March 2026 planning guide puts a replacement lead-acid battery at $4,000-$8,000, lasting about 3-5 years. It puts a lithium battery at $8,000-$15,000, lasting about 5-8 years (GST basis not stated).
What does a reach truck cost to run?
A reach truck's yearly running cost is mostly servicing, energy and tyres. The same March 2026 planning guide (GST basis not stated) gives these yearly estimates for one truck on a single shift:
- scheduled servicing: $2,500-$6,000
- unscheduled repairs: $500-$2,000
- charging energy: $800-$2,000
- tyres: $400-$900
- inspections and compliance: $300-$600
Two- or three-shift work costs 1.5 to 2 times more for servicing and energy, by the same guide. Treat these as planning figures, since they rest on one source. For your own truck and hours, ask for a quote for servicing a reach truck.
Should you hire, finance or buy a reach truck?
Hiring a reach truck suits uncertain or seasonal demand, while buying suits steady use over several years. Advertised weekly rates usually apply to longer terms, and short-term hire costs more per week, plus delivery. At DJJ Equipment, minimum hire terms depend on the machine and branch.
Finance spreads the purchase over regular payments. DJJ arranges it through a finance partner, subject to approval, and terms depend on your business and the machine.
Tax can change the sums. From 1 July 2026, eligible small businesses with aggregated turnover under $10 million may be able to immediately deduct assets costing less than $20,000 each. A used reach truck can come in under that line. A new one won't, so it's normally depreciated over time. Check with your accountant.
Costs to confirm on a reach truck quote
A reach truck quote should list, in writing, every cost outside the machine price:
- whether each figure is ex GST or inc. GST
- delivery and commissioning at your site
- the charger, and whether it needs a three-phase supply
- operator familiarisation
- the load chart at your top beam height
If you're unsure a reach truck is the right machine, start with how a reach truck compares with a counterbalance forklift.
The higher the lift, the flatter the floor must be, because small level differences between the wheel tracks become large sway at the top. Ask for the floor specification for the chosen mast, and have an older slab surveyed.
The right reach truck is the cheapest one that still lifts your heaviest pallet at your top beam. DJJ is a dealer for Hangcha, with A Series, XC Series, X Series pantograph and four-way reach trucks, and quotes each one on its configuration. Send us your load weight, top beam height and shifts a day, or call 1800 355 388, and we'll price the reach trucks that fit.
