Tough number to figure without a detail application survey.
When determining your hourly operating costs a few items to consider are: If the forklift is used daily for a few hours, you might notice a high hourly operating cost due to breakdowns and maintenance time. When calculating the operating costs, include the following elements: fuel cost, additional supplies like filters and oil, maintenance time, and downtime. Base this on prior numbers from your fleet. A good dealer can provide this info and should give you quarterly operating costs per hour.

Since the initial investment in a forklift is so high, many investors prefer to lease the vehicle. With most dealers you will find some sort of financing option, either straight from the manufacturer or through local banks and financial institutions. You may also try a long-term rental - usually for a period over a year, in which you will have to pay a monthly payment. This last option has more benefits for short-term projects or for contractors, since the lower monthly fee and the included maintenance can produce some nice profit. You can also get different service plans to accompany your purchase. Full maintenance plans will take care of any problem you might encounter with the forklift, a very useful option if you are getting a used machine from a dealer.