New to the industry? Or did your boss just tell you to find a forklift hire company, but you have no idea what to ask for? Choosing the right forklift for the job can be quite overwhelming. From tight warehouse aisles with high shelving to rough outdoor terrain, there’s a forklift suitable for every environment. In this beginner’s guide, Waverley Forklifts breaks down the main forklift types, what they are used for, and what to consider before hiring one through our forklift hire and forklift rental options.
Waverley Forklifts operates a fleet of predominantly Toyota forklifts comprising LPG and diesel forklifts and battery-electric warehouse forklifts, along with larger 10–16-tonne forklifts, Manitou all-terrain construction forklifts and telehandlers. We explore each type of forklift below.
The most common type of forklift. Counterbalance forklifts have forks at the front and a weight at the back to balance heavy loads. They are ideal for general warehouse use and loading/unloading trucks and containers on flat surfaces.
Designed for tight warehouse spaces with high, narrow aisles. Their extending mast lets them ‘reach’ upward and into deep racking systems. Reach trucks are typically used indoors on smooth floors.
These are compact, electric-powered machines designed for moving pallets at ground level or stacking them at low heights. Their size makes them ideal for navigating tight aisles and confined spaces.
Unlike traditional forklifts, order pickers lift the operator along with the platform to reach high shelves safely and efficiently. Ideal for operations that involve piece picking rather than pallet handling.
Built for outdoor use and engineered for tough outdoor environments where standard forklifts cannot go. These heavy-duty forklifts have large, rugged tyres and powerful engines capable of handling uneven ground, gravel and construction sites with ease.
A cross between a forklift and a crane. Telehandlers feature an extendable boom that can lift loads both upward and outward. They are versatile machines commonly used in agriculture, construction, and event work, including tasks like stage setup and equipment placement. If your project requires this level of reach and adaptability, our telehandler hire options give you access to reliable machinery suited to a variety of tasks.
Your worksite’s terrain matters. Using a counterbalance or reach truck outdoors on rough terrain is like taking a sports car off-roading. They are not built to handle bumps, gravel or uneven ground — it can be dangerous and damaging to the equipment. Likewise, low ceilings and tight turns pose risks to telehandlers, and smooth warehouse floors can be damaged by rough terrain models. If you’re unsure which option suits your environment, our equipment hire team can point you in the right direction.
The weight and height of your typical loads are key factors in choosing the right forklift. From ground-level pallet movement with an electric pallet truck, to reaching heights of up to 10.5 metres with a reach truck, or lifting up to 4 tonnes with a telehandler, Waverley Forklifts ensures the right machine is matched to your needs through our forklift hire and rental services.
Small or busy warehouse? Tight aisles? We have forklifts designed with that manoeuvrability in mind. Our compact options — three-wheel forklifts, reach trucks and walkie stackers — are ideal for efficiently operating in confined spaces.
Your choice between our electric, diesel or LPG forklifts depends on your operating environment and usage needs. Electric forklifts are best for indoor use with low emissions, while diesel and LPG models offer more power for heavy-duty outdoor work.
If you require assistance getting your forklift or telehandler safely to site, we also provide machinery transport to streamline delivery and collection.
Still not sure which forklift suits your job site? That’s okay. We have a whole department dedicated to making sure you get the right piece of equipment for your environment, requirements and budget.
Whether you need short-term or long-term forklift rental, Waverley Forklifts has you covered. Contact our expert hire and rental team on 1300 LIFT IT for a free quote today.
