Counterbalance Forklift
The general purpose forklift for standard pallet work, in three wheel and four wheel layouts from 0.6 to 48 tonne. Filter by capacity, power type and tyre choice.
50 Products
A Series Diesel Forklift 1.5-3.8 t
A Series Diesel Forklift 4-5.5 t
A Series Stand-Up 3-Wheel Electric Forklift 1.5-2.3 t
X Series 4-Wheel Electric Forklift 1-3.5 t
X Series 4-Wheel Electric Forklift 1.4-2.9 t
X Series 4-Wheel Electric Forklift 4-5 t
X Series 4-Wheel Electric Forklift 6-10 t
X Series Diesel & LPG Forklift 1.5-3.8 t
X Series Diesel & LPG Forklift 4-5 t
X Series Diesel & LPG Forklift 5-10 t
X Series Diesel Forklift 12 t
X Series Diesel Forklift 12-16 t
Counterbalance forklifts for sale: choosing power, wheels and tyres
A counterbalance forklift carries the load on forks at the front, balanced by a heavy counterweight at the rear, so there are no legs or outriggers in front of the wheels. It can drive straight up to a pallet, a truck deck or a stack, which makes it the standard forklift for docks, yards, factories and general warehouse work. DJJ Equipment sells Hangcha counterbalance forklifts from 0.6 to 48 tonnes in electric, LPG and diesel.
Our counterbalance range by power type
- Electric forklifts, 0.6-48 t: lithium or lead-acid batteries, 3-wheel and 4-wheel layouts, and an explosion-proof range for hazardous areas.
- LPG and diesel forklifts, 1-48 t: diesel or LPG models from 1 tonne, X Series diesel forklifts from 12 to 48 tonnes, and a low-profile model that works inside containers.
- Cushion tyre forklifts, 1.4-7 t: electric and LPG models for smooth indoor floors, including paper roll and box car versions.
3-wheel or 4-wheel counterbalance forklift?
A 3-wheel counterbalance forklift steers on a single rear wheel or a pair of rear wheels set close together, so it turns in a very tight circle. That helps in narrow aisles, small stores and on trailer decks. Our 3-wheel models are all electric: the X Series 3-Wheel 0.6-1 t, the XC Series 3-Wheel 1.3-2 t and the A Series Stand-Up 3-Wheel 1.5-2.3 t.
A 4-wheel forklift is more stable on ramps, on uneven yards and with heavier or higher loads, and it is the only layout above 2.3 tonnes in our range. If the forklift spends its day crossing a yard or loading trucks outside, start with a 4-wheel model.
Counterbalance forklift or reach truck?
A counterbalance forklift works indoors and outdoors, copes with ramps and truck loading, and needs no special floor. A reach truck works only on smooth indoor floors, but it turns in a much narrower aisle and is built for putting pallets into high racking. If most of your work is in the racking, a reach truck is usually the better buy. Many sites run both, with the counterbalance on the dock and the reach truck in the aisles.
Electric, LPG or diesel counterbalance?
Electric suits indoor work and sites that move between the warehouse and a sealed yard, with no exhaust at the point of use and a lower energy cost per shift than LPG or diesel. LPG suits sites that need fast refuelling and work outside or in well ventilated buildings. Diesel is the outdoor choice for heavy loads, timber, steel and container work. Above 12 tonnes you can choose between X Series diesel forklifts and XH Series high-voltage lithium forklifts, both of which reach 48 tonnes.
Tyres and floors
Cushion tyres are solid rubber tyres pressed onto the wheel. They suit smooth, dry concrete and keep the truck compact, which is why they are common in factories, paper stores and rail wagon loading. For yards, ramps and rougher sealed surfaces, choose a model with pneumatic or solid pneumatic tyres and check the tyre options on each product page. On unsealed ground, gravel and building sites a counterbalance forklift is the wrong machine, and an all terrain forklift with higher clearance and off-road tyres does the job instead.
Capacity, load centre and attachments
Choose a capacity with some margin over your heaviest load. The rated capacity applies only at the load centre and lift height on the load chart, and it falls when the mast is raised higher or an attachment is fitted. Long or wide loads move the load centre forward and cut what the forklift can safely lift. If you need side shifters, fork positioners, clamps or rotators, we supply forklift attachments, and you can ask us to check the capacity with the attachment fitted before you order.
Buy or hire
Every counterbalance forklift on this page is available to buy new, and we offer forklift hire on selected electric, LPG and diesel models, with minimum hire terms depending on the machine and branch. Finance through our finance partner and rent to own on selected models through current offers are also available, subject to finance approval.
Service and support
Every machine we sell gets a pre-delivery inspection before it leaves us, and most Hangcha forklifts carry a 24 month or 2,000 hour warranty, listed on each product page. Servicing, repairs and parts come from our branches in Silverwater, Meadowbrook and Bayswater, with on-site service within 50 km of each branch.
Before you choose, check:
- Your heaviest load and the lift height you need
- Aisle width and turning space
- Indoor work, outdoor work or both, and any ramps
- Floor or yard surface and the tyre type it needs
- Power type and how many hours a day you run
Tell us the load weight, lift height, site and shift pattern, and our team will recommend counterbalance forklifts to buy or hire. Call 1800 355 388 or send an enquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you speak with the team.
Is lithium or lead-acid better for a counterbalance forklift?
It depends on your shift pattern. Lithium suits multi-shift work with opportunity charging and needs little battery maintenance, while lead-acid costs less to buy but needs watering, a charging area and full charge cycles, which suits a single shift. Both still need the correct charger.
Can I run an LPG or diesel counterbalance forklift indoors?
An LPG counterbalance forklift can work indoors only where ventilation is adequate, because it produces exhaust. Diesel models are normally outdoor machines and are not suited to enclosed warehouses, so if the forklift spends most of its shift inside, an electric model is usually the place to start.
Why do counterbalance forklift capacity ratings differ between spec sheets?
A rated capacity is only true at the stated load centre and lift height. Australian ratings commonly use a 600 mm load centre, while many imported spec sheets quote 500 mm, which gives a higher figure for the same truck, so compare counterbalance forklifts at the same load centre.
Will fitting an attachment reduce my forklift's lifting capacity?
It can. Side shifters, fork positioners, clamps, rotators and other forklift attachments can reduce a counterbalance forklift's usable capacity, so confirm compatibility first and check the revised data plate or load chart before the machine goes back to work.
How much does an electric forklift cost to run compared with LPG?
DJJ Equipment's own estimate, based on Sydney figures, is about $7 a shift to charge a lithium forklift against about $40-70 a shift for LPG or diesel. Actual running costs depend on your usage and on local power and fuel prices.
Should I choose a counterbalance forklift or a reach truck?
Choose a counterbalance forklift when loads move between a yard, a dock and the warehouse, cross ramps or get loaded onto trucks, because it works indoors and out. A reach truck makes more sense when most of the work is stacking pallets into high racking on smooth indoor floors, since it turns in narrower aisles. Many sites run both.
Next Step
Tell Us About Your Application
Share what you need to move, how high it needs to lift and where it will operate. Our team can help narrow suitable models for purchase or hire.
Buy & Hire · 1800 355 388
Service · 1300 646 747