Buying Advice Homeowner Forklift

[WI-citizen]

I'm looking to buy a cheap forklift for mostly homeowner use to unload trucks. It would only be used once a week and lift up to 3k pounds. Would I be better off with a used one or buy a new Chinese cheap one? I'd like to spend around $3,000. Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[bcp]

What surface will it be used on, and how far will the loads be moved?

Bruce

 

[WI-citizen]

What surface will it be used on, and how far will the loads be moved?

Bruce

Concrete and some gravel surfaces that are on the flat. Up to 200 feet.

 

[stoyan79]

Most cheap forklifts are for flat paved dry surface only. Most have old school Japanese engines that last forever as they never see high revs and run very clean on propane.

 

[WI-citizen]

Most cheap forklifts are for flat paved dry surface only. Most have old school Japanese engines that last forever as they never see high revs and run very clean on propane.

I've heard that too! Problem is I don't know anything about forklifts. I first started looking at skidsteers, New Holland LX885 but anything that runs decent is at least $12k and it only picks up 2200 pounds. I'm in no hurry it'll at least be another year before I buy but would like any advice to start looking. Thanks!

 

[stoyan79]

FB marketplace is full of cheap forklifts. They are amazing to have and usually last long time and not bad to work on. Make sure you get 3 stage mast if you want to lift high, plus those are easier to sell later if you decide it's not for you. Get common brand/model because for $3k it will be old and you will need parts down the road.

 

[oldnslo]

If on gravel it had best be well packed since fork lifts have minimal ground clearance and all the weight is on the steering axle when there is nothing on the forks.

 

[WI-citizen]

The AGT KFE-20 picks up 2000kg or 4400 pounds if I'm reading it right. Any thoughts on this model?

 

[grsthegreat]

Most standard forklifts wont drive very well on gravel…period. Contractors use 4x4 forklifts or all terrain forklifts to operate on dirt and gravel. On a standard forklift, As soon as you leave concrete or asphalt….your probably going to get stuck and spin wheels, unless gravel is very well compacted and flat.

 

[paulsharvey]

There are about 4 types. You have the typical warehouse style forklifts, which are often propane, but increasingly electric; the stand up ones that range from 4k capacity, to almost an electric pallet jack with a platform to stand on; Lull/telehandler/shooting boom, from 4k to 12k capacity; and off road forklift, a reversed industrial tractor basically.

Nissian propane forklift are wildly available used, for cheap; but i would do some searching online for an out of service, auction, electric stand up, from Home Depot/Lowes, or similar sources. It doesn't sound like you need a lot of hours at a time.

It might be cheaper to do a raised loading dock/ramp, and a pallet jack?