Forklifts are held to strict maintenance schedules to meet industry standards and customer expectations, ensuring they’re well cared for throughout their service life.

Leasing companies follow similar practices, requiring their machines to be inspected and serviced every 100 hours of run time. Once their lease terms are up, these forklifts become excellent, well-maintained additions to our inventory.

Finally, we also acquire forklifts through trade-ins. Companies that trade in their lifts usually have owned them for most of their working life and can provide detailed repair histories, making these forklifts another dependable source for our customers.

The simple answer: we do whatever it takes to keep the forklift running at its best.

In most cases, this involves ordering new parts, performing necessary mechanical repairs, repainting, test driving, and running multiple inspections to ensure the lift meets our standards before it reaches you.

We offer forklifts in different condition levels—ranging from brand new to units that just need a little extra care to operate. Each level reflects a different amount of work performed, giving you the flexibility to choose what matters most for your business. This way, you save money on things you may not prioritize—like a fresh coat of paint—while still getting a reliable machine that fits your needs.

If you need a quick explanation however, Local Forklifts cuts out the middleman and gives you prices strictly based on the value of the lift and the work we’ve put into getting it ready for your business.

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man’s lawful prey.”

This quote comes from author J.A. Richards who wrote that in his book Profitable Advertising: The Advertiser’s Trade Journal in 1901 – written over 120 years ago and is still applicable today.

If you consider the weight of what you’re about to buy financially vs what it would mean for your business, you’ll understand how we offer a good deal. We want to make sure your business stays running, and we’re confident we can give you the best bang for your buck.

The further a load is positioned from the mast of a forklift, the less weight the machine can safely lift. This reduction in capacity is known as de-rate—a term that describes how lifting ability decreases as the load moves outward.

You can estimate de-rate using OSHA’s Field Calculation of Safe Load Capacity:

(24 in ÷ ___ in) × __000 lb = _____ lb

Here’s how it works:

• 24 in represents the ideal rated load center for nearly all forklifts. The weight of your load should be centered on the forks and within 24 inches of the carriage.

• Divide that 24 in ideal load center by your actual load center. To find this, measure from the load’s center of gravity to the point where it meets the forklift’s carriage.

• Multiply the result by your forklift’s rated load capacity. The outcome shows the maximum safe lifting capacity for that specific load based on weight distribution.

Think of it like woodworking—measure twice, lift once. Overestimating capacity risks tipping the forklift, damaging products, or injuring workers.

Safe lifting protects your team, your equipment, and your bottom line.

It depends on whether you are purchasing a new, reconditioned, or a used/pre-owned forklift battery.

In today’s market, new forklift batteries can cost anywhere between $5,000-$12,000. Good pre-owned, used, and reconditioned batteries typically go for $4,000-$7,000.

For reference – “new” forklift batteries are batteries that have never been put to regular use in a forklift before. “Used” and “Pre-owned” forklift batteries have been utilized in a forklift for regular operation in any length of capacity. “Reconditioned” forklift batteries have been selectively repaired and tested, restoring a healthy battery life.

As of 2016, Local Forklift is the only forklift company to own the technology to recondition batteries inTexas. We employ Flight System’s Battery X-Tender, utilizing its computer-controlled desulfation process to return years of life to a forklift battery.

Combine this technology with specific gravity testing to ensure proper electrolyte balances, load testing, and selective cell replacement and you get a fully functional reconditioned and “Rental” forklift battery for nearly half the cost of a new one, passing savings on to you.