The forklift market in 2026 offers a wide range of options, from standard warehouse workhorses to specialized rough-terrain and high-reach machines. Standard 5,000-pound capacity new forklifts typically cost $25,000 to $70,000, while used machines can range from $5,000 to $30,000 depending on age, hours, and condition.
2026 New Forklift Models
JLG Telehandlers
JLG 519: 5,500 lb capacity, 19 ft lift height, Deutz turbo diesel engine, 4WD, crab-steering, enclosed cab with heat/AC
JLG E313: 3,500 lb capacity, 13 ft 3 in lift height, 48V lithium-ion batteries, 2WD/4WD modes
JLG 313: 3,500 lb capacity, Kubota diesel engine (24HP), foam-filled tires
JLG 2733: 26,600 lb capacity, 33 ft platform height, Cummins turbo diesel (160HP), 4WD
Viper Rough Terrain Forklifts
Viper FD30RT: 6,000 lb capacity, 187″ lift height, Kohler KDI 1903 turbo diesel 1.9L, heated cab, side shifter. Available from $36,900 to $45,885
Hangcha Electric Forklifts
Hangcha FB50Li: 10,000 lb capacity, 80V lithium-ion electric, 4-wheel sit-down forklift, 14 hours. Priced at $67,000
Harlo Heavy-Duty Forklifts
Harlo HP12500: 12,500 lb capacity, 4x4 off-road, John Deere diesel engine, 22 ft 3-stage mast, side shift, 27.4 mph ground speed
Drexel Very Narrow Aisle Forklifts
Drexel SLT35AC: 1.59 ton (3,500 lb) capacity, 1 hour, electric, very narrow aisle design
Hyster Forklifts
Hyster H3.0: Diesel, 6 m/h, duplex mast, 9,480 lb gross weight
EP Equipment (Electric)
EP TCL152: 1.5 ton 3-wheel electric forklift
EP EFL183: 1.8 ton electric counterbalance
Clark Forklifts
Clark TM20: 3-wheel electric, 4,000 lb capacity, 189″ triple mast, 36V, CSA/MOL certified
Used Forklifts – Significant Savings
Used forklifts trade at 30% to 70% of new prices and can be excellent value if inspected properly. However, they come with questions about hour readings, prior maintenance, and remaining life.
2026 Used Listings Examples
Model Capacity Price (USD) Notes
Viper FD30RT 6,000 lbs $36,900 – $45,885 Rough terrain, diesel, low hours
Brown BDH-600 60,000 lbs $4,450 Heavy-duty industrial
JLG 832 8,000 lbs Contact dealer Telehandler, 32 ft lift height
Viper FD50 5,000 lbs Contact dealer IC pneumatic
John Deere FC15M 15,000 lbs Contact dealer 20 ft lift height
Typical Used Price Ranges
Well-maintained 5-year-old Toyota electric (4,000 hours): $12,000–$18,000 (new: $25,000–$35,000)
15-year-old propane forklift (15,000+ hours): $3,000–$6,000
General used forklifts: $8,000–$15,000
Used propane/diesel: $8,000–$15,000 (new: $20,000–$45,000)
2026 Price Guide – New Forklifts by Type
Type Price Range (USD)
Standard 5,000 lb forklift $25,000 – $70,000
Electric forklift (3,000 lb) From ~$25,000
Electric with lithium battery $25,000 – $55,000
Propane / Diesel $20,000 – $45,000
Class IV cushion-tire $25,000 – $45,000
Class I electric rider (lithium + side-shift) ~$55,000+
Rough-terrain / high-reach specialty $100,000+
RIPPA electric $8,000 – $20,000
RIPPA diesel $9,000 – $25,000
RIPPA LPG $9,000 – $23,000
Note: Prices shown are Manufacturer‘s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and do not include government fees, taxes, dealer freight/preparation, dealer document preparation charges, or finance charges.
Where to Buy New and Used Forklifts
Authorized Dealers
Southeast Industrial Equipment – Comprehensive range of new and used forklifts, rentals, service, parts, and training programs
CLARK Material Handling – Complete lineup of new forklifts for industrial applications
Premier Lift Equipment – Refurbished Toyota, Yale, Hyster; CSA/MOL compliant; duty-free CUSMA/USMCA shipping
Online Marketplaces
Machinio – New and used JLG forklifts, Drexel, and other brands
Machineryline – New and used forklifts including Hyster, Still, Yale
BuyFleetNow – Viper FD30RT, Brown BDH-600, JLG 832, Viper FD50
Tractor Zoom – Harlo HP12500 off-road forklifts
Farmers Equipment – Hangcha FB50Li electric forklift
MachineryTrader – Thousands of used equipment listings from Caterpillar, Deere, Genie, JLG, Case, Komatsu, Bobcat, and more
Certified Used Programs
Premier Lift Equipment offers professionally reconditioned units with mechanical inspection, refinishing, safety decals, and CSA/MOL certification
Buying Considerations
New vs. Used: New forklifts offer full manufacturer warranty, latest safety and emission technology, financing programs, and predictable maintenance. Used forklifts offer significant savings (30–70% off new) but require thorough inspection of hours, maintenance history, and remaining life.
Power Source: Electric models cost $25,000–$55,000 and offer zero emissions. Propane/diesel models cost $20,000–$45,000 and are suitable for outdoor and heavy-duty applications.
Capacity: Standard 5,000 lb units cost $25,000–$70,000. High-capacity and specialty models exceed $100,000.
Leasing: Lease payments typically range from $400 to $1,200 per month, combining predictable monthly cost with included maintenance.
Top Brands: Toyota, Caterpillar, Hyster-Yale, Crown, Komatsu, Mitsubishi, and Linde.
Shipping: Some dealers offer free shipping (United Lift Holdings covers 15+ US locations).
Summary
The 2026 forklift market offers new models from JLG (E313 lithium-ion telehandler, 3,500 lbs), Viper (FD30RT rough terrain, 6,000 lbs, $36,900–$45,885), Hangcha (FB50Li electric, 10,000 lbs, $67,000), Harlo (HP12500, 12,500 lbs), Drexel (SLT35AC, 3,500 lbs, very narrow aisle), and Clark (TM20 3-wheel electric, 4,000 lbs). New forklifts range from **$20,000 to $70,000+** for standard models, with specialty units exceeding **$100,000**. Used forklifts offer significant savings, with well-maintained 5-year-old electric models selling for $12,000–$18,000 and older propane units available for $3,000–$6,000. Purchase through authorized dealers (Southeast Industrial Equipment, CLARK, Premier Lift Equipment), online marketplaces (Machinio, Machineryline, BuyFleetNow, MachineryTrader), or certified used programs. When buying, consider new vs. used, power source, capacity requirements, and total cost of ownership.