How accurate are these forklift value ranges?

They reflect what we actually pay, which is why they are wide. A 5,000 lb cushion truck with 4,000 hours and a sound mast sits near the top of its band; the same model with 18,000 hours and a bad transmission sits near the bottom. Anyone publishing one precise number per class is guessing.

What single factor moves the number most?

Whether it runs and lifts. That one fact typically separates the bottom third of a band from the top two thirds. After that, hour meter reading and mast condition do most of the remaining work.

Do hours matter more than age?

Usually yes. A twelve-year-old truck with 6,000 hours is often worth more than a six-year-old truck with 20,000 hours. Hours measure actual wear; model year mostly affects parts availability and emissions compliance.

How much does a dead battery cost me on an electric forklift?

A replacement pack is a known figure, and we deduct roughly what it costs us to source one — not an arbitrary penalty. Tell us the battery's age and voltage and whether a charger comes with the truck. Chargers do add value.

Are attachments worth anything?

Yes, and they are frequently forgotten. Side shifters, fork positioners, rotators, carton clamps, and paper roll clamps all carry independent resale value. Photograph them and mention them; they are money you would otherwise leave on the table.

Does a recent annual inspection raise the offer?

It helps. Documentation removes guesswork about the machine's history, and less uncertainty means we can price closer to the top of the band. Photograph a couple of pages of PM records if you have them.

Value guide

What your forkliftis actually worth

Published cash ranges by capacity class and a plainly defined A-through-D condition grading system. No login, no email gate, no "call for pricing."

Used Yale electric forklift with mast raised, an example of an older lift truck we still pay cash for

By capacity

Cash ranges by lift capacity

These are the bands our offers fall inside. Where a specific truck lands depends on hours, condition grade, mast configuration, and how liquid the model is in the used market.

Ranges reflect what we actually pay across grades A through D. Condition, hours, brand, and attachments decide where a specific truck lands. Call (954) 740-1983 for a real number on your machine.
Capacity	Typical Configuration	Common Use	Cash Range
3,000 lb	Electric three-wheel, walkie stacker, compact cushion	Retail backrooms, light assembly, small stockrooms	$1,500 – $12,000
4,000 lb	Electric counterbalance, reach truck, cushion tire	General warehousing, racked storage, light manufacturing	$2,000 – $16,000
5,000 lb	LP cushion, IC pneumatic, sit-down rider	The default workhorse across nearly every industry	$2,500 – $20,000
6,000 lb	IC pneumatic, LP cushion, diesel counterbalance	Distribution, lumber, building supply, dock work	$3,000 – $24,000
8,000 lb	Diesel or LP pneumatic, heavier cushion trucks	Steel, concrete products, heavy distribution, ports	$4,000 – $30,000
10,000 lb	Diesel pneumatic, dual-tire IC counterbalance	Manufacturing, lumber yards, marine, pipe handling	$5,000 – $38,000
15,000 lb	Heavy diesel counterbalance, mill-duty trucks	Steel service centres, paper, heavy fabrication	$8,000 – $52,000
20,000 lb	High-capacity diesel, Taylor / Hoist / Kalmar class	Steel, marine, precast concrete, heavy industry	$12,000 – $75,000
30,000 lb	Heavy mill-duty forklift, loaded container capable	Ports, steel mills, heavy manufacturing, rail yards	$20,000 – $110,000
50,000 lb and up	Container handler, reach stacker, super-heavy forklift	Intermodal terminals, ports, steel mills, shipyards	$35,000 – $300,000

Ranges reflect cash paid to sellers with rigging and freight covered by us. High-capacity machines above 30,000 lb and container handlers are appraised individually.

Condition grading

How we grade condition, A through D

Every offer references one of these four grades. Knowing where your machine honestly sits is the fastest way to predict the number before you call.

We grade honestly on the phone and we do not re-negotiate at the dock. Tell us the truth about the machine and the offer stands.
Grade	Meaning	What It Looks Like	Effect On Offer
A	Ready to Work	Starts cold, lifts and tilts to full height under load, no active hydraulic leaks, tires and mast in good order, hour meter working and consistent with the machine's appearance.	Top of our range
B	Running, Needs Minor Work	Runs and lifts but has identifiable minor issues — a seeping cylinder, worn tires, tired battery, cosmetic damage, a non-functioning gauge, or deferred maintenance.	Moderate reduction from top
C	Runs Poorly or Lifts Poorly	Starts but runs rough, will not lift to full height, has a significant hydraulic or transmission fault, a failed battery pack, or unknown recent service history.	Substantial reduction
D	Non-Running, Scrap, or Incomplete	Will not start, seized engine or drive unit, major structural damage, stripped of components, sat outdoors for years, or already partially dismantled.	Core, component, and scrap value

Telehandler telescopic boom forklift with boom extended at an industrial site — Telehandler with boom extended — telescopic forklifts welcome

The seven things that set your number

1Runs and liftsThe single biggest lever. A truck that starts and lifts under load is worth multiples of the same machine seized.
2Hour meter readingActual wear. Under 5,000 hours is low, 5,000–12,000 is normal service life, above 15,000 needs everything else to be right.
3Mast and carriageCracks, welds, worn channels, and bent forks are expensive. This is where inspections find the costly surprises.
4Capacity classSets the base band. 5,000 lb is the most liquid class in the country; very light and very heavy trucks have thinner buyer pools.
5Tires and drivetrainCushion versus pneumatic, tread remaining, transmission slip, and drive-unit noise on electrics.
6Battery and charger on electricsPack age and voltage matter, and an included charger adds genuine value.
7AttachmentsSide shifters, fork positioners, rotators, and clamps carry separate resale value that sellers routinely forget to mention.

What does not change the number

Washing it. Painting it. Replacing the seat. Putting a new decal on the mast. None of it returns what it costs you, and we would rather you keep the money. The one exception worth considering is a cheap repair that flips a non-running truck into a running one — that can genuinely move the offer, and if you are unsure whether yours qualifies, ask us before spending anything.

Questions

Valuation questions

How accurate are these forklift value ranges?: They reflect what we actually pay, which is why they are wide. A 5,000 lb cushion truck with 4,000 hours and a sound mast sits near the top of its band; the same model with 18,000 hours and a bad transmission sits near the bottom. Anyone publishing one precise number per class is guessing.
What single factor moves the number most?: Whether it runs and lifts. That one fact typically separates the bottom third of a band from the top two thirds. After that, hour meter reading and mast condition do most of the remaining work.
Do hours matter more than age?: Usually yes. A twelve-year-old truck with 6,000 hours is often worth more than a six-year-old truck with 20,000 hours. Hours measure actual wear; model year mostly affects parts availability and emissions compliance.
How much does a dead battery cost me on an electric forklift?: A replacement pack is a known figure, and we deduct roughly what it costs us to source one — not an arbitrary penalty. Tell us the battery's age and voltage and whether a charger comes with the truck. Chargers do add value.
Are attachments worth anything?: Yes, and they are frequently forgotten. Side shifters, fork positioners, rotators, carton clamps, and paper roll clamps all carry independent resale value. Photograph them and mention them; they are money you would otherwise leave on the table.
Does a recent annual inspection raise the offer?: It helps. Documentation removes guesswork about the machine's history, and less uncertainty means we can price closer to the top of the band. Photograph a couple of pages of PM records if you have them.

Want the number for your specific truck?

Call (954) 740-1983 with the model and hours, or send photos for a firm written offer within 24 hours.

(954) 740-1983 Get My Cash Offer