Key Takeaways
- Always get finance pre-approved before you commit to buying — it gives you certainty on budget and negotiating power.
- Run a PPSR check on any used equipment to confirm there are no finance encumbrances.
- Inspect the equipment in person — photos and descriptions alone are not sufficient for large purchases.
- Compare 80+ lenders through a broker for the most competitive finance rate.
- Equipment finance deals: We guarantee the best deal available in the market and our services are free — we're paid a "referral fee" by the lender after settlement, no cost to you.
Forklift Research
- Identify the right capacity — 1.8T, 2.5T, 3.5T, 5T or larger counterbalance forklifts
- Identify the right fuel type — LPG, diesel or electric (battery) for your application
- Consider mast height requirements for your racking system
- Research the brand — Toyota, Crown, Hyster, Linde and Clark are the most common in Australia
Run the numbers on your repayments
Use our finance calculator to estimate weekly or monthly repayments.
Finance Pre-Approval
- Get forklift finance pre-approved before inspecting — confirms budget and avoids disappointment
- Compare 80+ lenders through a broker for the most competitive rate
- Consider operating lease vs chattel mortgage depending on your hours and replacement cycle
Forklift Inspection Checklist
- Check engine hours (LPG/diesel) or battery condition and cycle count (electric)
- Check LPG system for leaks, hose condition and regulator condition
- For electric forklifts — check battery voltage, capacity and number of charge cycles
- Test all controls — forward/reverse, lift, tilt, side shift and attachments
- Check mast chains — lubrication, wear and stretch
- Check mast uprights for damage, bend or wear
- Inspect carriage and forks — fork blade thickness, blade wear and any bends or cracks
- Check tyres — tread depth, flat spots (solid tyres) or pressure and condition (pneumatic)
- Check the overhead guard — no cracks, bends or damage
- Test the horn, lights, reverse alarm and seatbelt
- Check hydraulic cylinders for leaks and smooth operation
Safety and Compliance
- Check that the forklift has a current engineer's inspection if required
- Verify the rated capacity matches your operational requirements
- Check for any modifications that may affect the rated capacity or stability
- Verify compliance with AS2359 Australian Standards for industrial trucks
- Run a PPSR check — check for finance encumbrances on the forklift
Get Pre-Approved Before You Buy
The single most important step before buying any commercial equipment is getting your finance pre-approved. Pre-approval confirms your budget, gives you negotiating power and prevents the situation of finding the perfect machine only to discover you cannot get it financed. At Overdrive Funding, we compare 80+ lenders and can provide pre-approval in as little as 24 hours — call Simon or fill in the form above.
