Here at All Star Access Hire & Scaffold, we're your local access hire specialists.
If you work in warehousing, construction, or logistics, you’ve probably worked with forklifts a lot of forklifts. They’re the machines Australia counts on for heavy lifting and moving everything from retail pallets to mining equipment.
Forklifts share the same basic design (two horizontal prongs that slide under loads to lift and move them), but they’re not all built for the same job. A compact electric forklift won’t cut it on a muddy construction site, and a rough terrain model is overkill for moving boxes in a stockroom.
Choosing the right forklift makes your job easier and safer, so it’s worth knowing the different types of forklifts and their uses.
The short answer? There are seven!
The seven-class system has been the industry standard for over 50 years and is used by manufacturers, dealers, safety trainers, and regulatory bodies across the access industry.
The industry breaks forklifts down into these seven main classes:
Within these classes, you’ll find plenty of variations for specific jobs.
While all seven classes serve specific purposes, there are three main types that handle the majority of material handling work. Understanding these common types will help you narrow down your options quickly.
Electric forklifts run on rechargeable batteries and work best indoors or on sites where you can’t have too many fumes or make too much noise. They’re perfect for warehouses, retail spaces, cold storage, and food processing plants. Plus, they fit well with the push toward going green.
What’s good about them:
Gas forklifts run on petrol, diesel, or LPG and pack more punch for heavy-duty work. They handle both indoor and outdoor jobs and work well on construction sites, timber yards, farms, or anywhere you need heavy lifting, especially in remote spots without reliable power.
Why they’re useful:
Built for the toughest outdoor conditions, rough terrain forklifts have better stability, higher clearance, and high-performing tires. These are essential for mining operations, remote construction, agricultural work, and any outdoor material handling in challenging conditions.
What makes them different:
While reach trucks are technically a type of forklift, they’re built for different jobs. The key difference is in the name—reach trucks have extending forks that can reach deep into warehouse racks, while regular forklifts have fixed forks.
Reach trucks excel in narrow warehouse aisles and can lift loads much higher (up to 40 feet), but they’re designed for indoor use on smooth floors and handle lighter loads. Regular counterbalance forklifts can’t reach as high, but they handle heavier loads, work both indoors and outdoors, and are better for general material handling. Think of reach trucks as the warehouse specialists and forklifts as the all-rounders.
When choosing a forklift for your operations, think about the basics: indoor or outdoor use, how heavy you need to lift, how wide your aisles are, how long your shifts run, and what conditions you’re working in. Do you need a quiet electric model for warehouse work? Or a tough, rough-terrain machine for a muddy site? The right choice makes everything run smoother and keeps everyone safer.
If you’re still scratching your head, contact the All Star Access Hire team for a free quote and on-site inspection for your next project.