Forklift hire gives you a forklift for an agreed term without buying one. On a standard hire, the hire company services and maintains the machine, while you supply the fuel or charging, do the daily checks and provide licensed operators. Extras such as delivery or breakdown help depend on the supplier and the quote, so find out what's included before you compare prices.
Is maintenance included in forklift hire?
Yes, on most forklift hire agreements the hire company handles scheduled servicing and repairs from normal wear. Under DJJ Equipment's standard hire terms, DJJ services and maintains hired machines in working condition during business hours, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Service outside those hours can be arranged at the hirer's cost.
Maintenance included doesn't mean everything is included. The hirer usually pays for damage from misuse, for tyres as assessed by the hire company, and for hours over the agreed limit. You can read how DJJ words each point in its hire terms and conditions.
Other items vary by quote. With DJJ, hire may include pre-delivery inspection, delivery and collection options and breakdown assistance, so ask which of these your quote covers.
Who does what during a forklift hire?
A forklift hire splits the work between the hire company and you. This is how DJJ's standard terms divide it, and most suppliers follow a similar pattern.
| Task | Hire company | Hirer |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled servicing | Services and maintains the forklift during business hours | Makes the forklift available for servicing |
| Daily checks | Gives instructions for the checks | Checks oil, coolant, water and the battery each day before use |
| Fuel and charging | Supplies the machine | Supplies fuel or LPG, oil, grease and water, and recharges batteries |
| Faults and repairs | Only its authorised staff repair, modify or adjust the forklift | Reports faults and accidents straight away |
| Damage from misuse | Assesses the damage | Pays for damage from improper use and for tyres |
| Transport | Responsible when it moves the forklift | Responsible for transport damage if you move it yourself |
| Operators and insurance | Supplies the machine only, on dry hire | Provides licensed operators and public liability insurance |
| Return | Inspects the forklift on return | Returns it in the condition it arrived, fair wear and tear excepted |
Fair wear and tear is the normal wear that comes from correct use. Overloading the forklift or hitting racking is not. A damage waiver can limit what you pay for accidental damage, but it isn't insurance: DJJ's optional Equipment Waiver costs 10% of the weekly hire cost and has exclusions.
Short-term, long-term or contract hire?
Short-term forklift hire suits seasonal peaks, a project or cover for a forklift that's off for repair. Long-term hire, often called contract hire, suits a forklift you need every day, with a predictable cost and maintenance included in the forklift hire. Rates on long-term hire may rise each year in line with CPI.
Minimum hire terms depend on the machine and branch, and some agreements commit you to the full term. Under DJJ's standard terms, returning a forklift early means paying out the rest of the term, and keeping it past the return date rolls the hire on at the daily rate.
If a hire keeps getting extended, weigh up forklift hire vs buying before you renew.
How to choose a forklift hire company
Choosing a forklift hire company comes down to what happens after delivery, not only the weekly rate. These five checks separate suppliers that look alike on a quote.
A branch and workshop near your site
A branch with its own workshop and parts stock makes servicing and repairs easier to arrange. Ask where the technicians who will service your forklift are based, and whether on-site service covers your area.
What happens when the forklift breaks down
Ask how you report a breakdown, who attends, and whether a replacement forklift is supplied if the repair takes time. Get the answer in writing, because standard hire terms often don't guarantee a response time or a replacement machine.
The right machine for the job
A good supplier asks for your load weight, lift height, surface and hours per day before quoting. Check the hire fleet covers what you need. DJJ hires electric, diesel and LPG forklifts, reach trucks, pallet stackers, order pickers, rough terrain forklifts and pallet jacks on selected models, and availability varies by location and term.
Reviews from your local branch
Read recent Google reviews for the branch you'll deal with, not just the head office, and ask for a reference from a business with a similar operation.
A quote you can compare
Ask for the total for your hire period, including delivery, collection, the waiver and the hour limit, so quotes line up. Forklift hire rates differ by machine, term and city.
Questions to ask before you get a forklift hire quote
A short list of questions gets you comparable quotes and avoids surprises later:
- What does the rate include: servicing, delivery, collection, breakdown help?
- What is the maximum number of hours, and how are extra hours charged?
- What is the minimum term, and what happens if we return the forklift early or late?
- Who supplies fuel or LPG, and does an electric forklift come with its charger?
- How do we report a fault, and is a replacement machine available?
- Is a damage waiver offered, what does it cost and what does it exclude?
- Which licences and insurance do you need to see?
Once you have a quote, read the term, hour limit, return date and CPI clauses, because many forklift hire mistakes start there.
Licences and insurance for forklift hire
Most forklift hire is dry hire, so the hire company supplies the machine and you supply the operators. Anyone driving a forklift needs a high risk work licence in class LF, or class LO for an order picker where the operator rises with the load. Pedestrian-operated stackers and pallet jacks don't need an LF licence, but operators still need training and instruction.
You also need public liability insurance that covers the hired machine. Sight each operator's licence and check your policy before the forklift arrives.
Forklift hire from DJJ Equipment
DJJ Equipment hires forklifts from three branches with workshops and parts stock: Silverwater in Sydney, Meadowbrook in Brisbane and Bayswater in Perth. Tell us the load weight, lift height, surface and how many hours a day you'll run, and our Hire Team will suggest a machine and term. Call 1800 355 388, or send the details through our forklift hire enquiry.
