Townsville, as a key industrial hub in North Queensland, has a forklift market primarily served by national dealers such as Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) and Jungheinrich Partners. Auction houses like Ritchie Bros. also hold regular equipment auctions in the region.
Major Forklift Dealers in Townsville
The main forklift dealers in Townsville are concentrated in the industrial suburbs of Bohle and Garbutt, offering comprehensive sales, rental, service, and parts support.
Dealer Brands / Specialization Address Contact Key Services
TMHA Townsville Toyota, BT, Raymond 13 Reward Court, Bohle, QLD 4818 (07) 4412 0600 New/used sales, hire, servicing, parts, factory-trained technicians
Jungheinrich Partners TCM, Jungheinrich, Manitou Townsville local (07) 4774 8900 New/used sales, short/long-term hire, service, repairs, parts
Adaptalift Group Hyster, Yale (exclusive distributor) 39 Duckworth St, Garbutt, QLD 4814 13 22 54 New/used sales, service, parts, rentals
Clark Equipment Clark Garbutt, QLD 4814 1800 005 747 Sales, hire, service
Northern Heavy Machinery Multi-brand Townsville – Forklift sales and service
2026 New Forklift Models Available in Townsville
Model Type Capacity Key Features Source
Toyota 8 Series Electric / LPG / Diesel 1.5 – 8.0 t Full range with SAS stability system; lithium-ion options TMHA Townsville
TCM / Jungheinrich Electric / Diesel Various High-quality electric and diesel forklifts Jungheinrich Partners
Hyster / Yale Electric / Diesel / LPG 1.4 – 5.0+ t Durable workhorses for heavy industry Adaptalift Group
Clark Crossover Series Electric 2.5 – 3.5 t IC-style performance with electric drive Clark Equipment
Used Forklifts – Townsville Listings (2026)
The second-hand market in Townsville is active, with used units available through dealers and auction platforms.
Model Specs Price / Status Source
Toyota 8FBE18T (2017) 1.8 t electric, triplex mast, low hours Contact dealer TMHA Townsville
Hyster H2.5FT (2015) 2.5 t LPG, 4.5m lift, side shift Contact dealer Adaptalift Group
Clark C30L (2016) 3.0 t LPG, 3-stage mast Contact dealer Clark Equipment
Various brands Auction items Starting from $5,000+ Ritchie Bros. Auctions
Upcoming Auctions (2026)
Auction Location Items Dates
Ritchie Bros. Auction Townsville, QLD Forklifts, construction equipment, telehandlers Regular events; check website for dates
Online Auctions Various Used forklifts from mining and industrial sectors Ongoing
Note: Most auction units are sold "as-is, where-is" with no warranty. Factor in buyer's premiums and transport costs.
2026 Price Guide – Forklifts in Townsville
Forklift Type Price Range (AUD) Notes
New Electric Counterbalance (1.5–2.5 t) $30,000 – $65,000 Lithium-ion models command premium
New Diesel Counterbalance (3.0–5.0 t) $40,000 – $90,000 Heavy-duty outdoor work
New LPG Counterbalance (2.5–5.0 t) $35,000 – $80,000 Mixed indoor/outdoor use
Used 2.5–3.0 t (5–10 years old) $15,000 – $35,000 Serviceable units with moderate hours
Used Rough Terrain / Telehandler $25,000 – $70,000 For construction and mining sites
Buying Considerations in Townsville
1. Dealer Concentration
Townsville's industrial suburbs host key dealers: Bohle (TMHA Toyota), Garbutt (Adaptalift Group, Clark Equipment), and local agents for Jungheinrich and Northern Heavy Machinery. The city serves as the major distribution point for North Queensland's mining, agricultural, and logistics sectors.
2. New vs. Used
New forklifts offer the latest technology (lithium-ion, telematics) and full warranty – a new 2.5-tonne LPG counterbalance starts near $48,000** and can exceed **$90,000 with options. Used forklifts offer significant savings – a serviceable 2.5-tonne unit between five and ten years old costs $15,000–$35,000. Buying from a Queensland-licensed dealer provides protection: they must supply a pre-delivery inspection report, current log book, and proof that modifications meet AS 2359.2-2013.
3. Power Source Selection
Electric: Zero emissions, ideal for indoor warehouses. Demand for electric forklifts in Townsville is growing, driven by cold storage and newer estates banning LPG fumes.
Diesel: High torque for heavy outdoor applications – essential for mining and construction sites.
LPG: Cleaner than diesel, suitable for mixed indoor/outdoor use.
4. Rough Terrain and Telehandlers
Townsville's proximity to mining and agricultural regions drives demand for rough terrain forklifts and telehandlers. New all-terrain forklifts typically list from $30,000 to $80,000, averaging around $55,000**. Telehandlers can cost **$80,000–$300,000+ depending on reach and capacity.
5. Licensing Requirements
Forklift operators require a High Risk Work Licence (TLILIC0003 – forklift truck) issued under Queensland WHS laws. The licence class must match the equipment type.
6. Service and Support
TMHA Townsville has factory-trained technicians using genuine Toyota parts and advanced diagnostic tools. Adaptalift Group provides comprehensive service for Hyster, Yale, and Combilift equipment. Clark Equipment offers service and parts support from its Garbutt branch.
7. Financing and Rentals
Most dealers offer flexible hire options for short-term projects and long-term fleet supplementation. Yellowgate offers Rent Now, Buy Later solutions with 12-month rental terms, buy anytime options, and 100% tax deductible payments.
Summary
Townsville's forklift market in 2026 is served by a comprehensive network of dealers including TMHA Townsville (Toyota, Bohle), Jungheinrich Partners (TCM/Jungheinrich/Manitou), Adaptalift Group (Hyster/Yale, Garbutt), Clark Equipment (Garbutt), and Northern Heavy Machinery. New diesel/petrol forklifts range from $20,000 to $80,000, with electric models available through TMHA, Jungheinrich, and Adaptalift. Used 2.5–3.0 tonne forklifts typically cost $15,000–$35,000. Upcoming auctions through Ritchie Bros. feature used mining and industrial equipment. When buying, consider new vs. used, power source requirements, rough terrain needs, dealer service proximity, licensing requirements, and total cost of ownership – not just the purchase price.