Forklift Rental Business Opportunity: Types and Prices
Thinking of starting a forklift rental business? See typical rental rates, the four main forklift types and what each one costs before you buy any units.
Companies and factories use forklifts to move heavy, bulky objects. But not every company or factory owns one, so renting is the solution they usually turn to.
Given how many customers want to rent forklifts, a forklift rental business looks fairly promising. If you decide to start one, though, expect to spend a good deal of money, because forklifts are not cheap.
You could buy a used unit to get the business started. Check the condition of any forklift you buy, and make sure it has no damage or other problems that could hold back its performance later on.
To keep a forklift rental business running smoothly and steadily, you first need to know your market. You can offer forklift rentals to companies, warehouses or factories.
Put together a few rental offers so that customers understand them and can choose the forklift they really need.
Rental rates should reflect lifting capacity and rental time. They range from Rp 2.5 million to Rp 3.5 million per 7-hour rental.
If you decide to start a forklift rental business, first learn the types and varieties of forklifts.
Order Picker
For work environments such as warehouses and retail stores, this type of forklift can reach goods stored on shelves 8 to 11 feet high. It is used indoors, or outdoors on smoothly paved ground. Its capacity is 180 kg to 320 kg. Prices for this type range from Rp 44 million to Rp 145 million.
Pallet Jack
The pallet jack is designed to make it easier to unload goods from a truck or to move loads from the floor to another spot. It cannot lift loads vertically.
There are two kinds of pallet jacks, manual and electric. Both support loads of about 1,300 kg to 1,800 kg. Prices for this type range from Rp 10 million to roughly Rp 140 million.
Reach Truck
This type of forklift can pull goods out of storage racks by fitting forks and a carrier that can be extended. A single-reach truck extends the distance of one pallet, while a double-reach truck extends the distance of two pallets.
A reach truck can lift loads of about 1,000 kg to 2,500 kg. Prices for this type are in the range of Rp 270 million to Rp 430 million.
Sit-Down Counterbalance
This type of forklift is widely used because it offers the highest weight capacity and the highest lift. It can carry loads of up to 3.6 tons and raise them as high as 15 feet.
Prices for this type are around Rp 360 million for electric models and Rp 720 million for IC (internal combustion) models.
Once you know the types and prices, you can decide which type to buy and what price range to rent it out in.
