Forklift total cost of ownership
The purchase price is only part of it. Here is the list of items for a real comparison.
Items to add up
- Purchase: machine price, transport, customs and commissioning.
- Energy: fuel or electricity per working hour.
- Batteries and chargers if electric; a second battery if you run several shifts with lead-acid.
- Maintenance and parts: filters, oil, tyres, chains.
- Downtime: cost of a machine that is not working.
- Estimated resale value at end of life.
How to compare them
Divide each item by your estimated annual hours of use and compare the cost per hour of each option. A truck that costs more to buy can be cheaper per hour if it works many shifts.
What data to ask for
Ask the supplier for hourly consumption, maintenance intervals, battery warranty and parts availability. With that the calculation is realistic.