actually only 41 yrs - but during that time I never learned to proofread well or type proficently.

Andy: i agree absolutely, my choice of two is based on using a particular trusted supplier, these are their core brands, so their engineers are well versed in the technology.

John: You have been in the business 401 years? wow! i take your points though, we are replacing trucks that are coming to the end of a 5yr contract, i may have been a little optimistic on hours, but i think our highest usage truck has about 14000 on the meter. after 5.5yrs.. I have been severely stung for excess hours on these trucks, so will be asking the new supplier to review hours annually and adjust contracts as necessary as we go through the contract.

Are you operating 24 hrs/day 365 days per year? If so at the end of 5 year term you may very well have many more hours than 10K. In my experience in an average application lift generally accumulate 3-3.5 hrs on the meter per 8 hour works shift in a very high cycle operation (like a bulk break freight terminal - the most I've seen in 401 years in the business) forklfits average about 5.5 hours per 8 hour shift. This means about 16,425 hours in a normal work enviroment 7day/24 hour work period for 365 days or 30,112 hours in a cycle enviorment. Certainly units with this type of hours are worn out.

If you sign on for a contract that only allows 2000 your per year - overtime charges can be quite significant. Also, get a good look at the full maintenance agreement/contract and see if the monthly charge is for the whole contract period. In the States (the former Colony) most lease and maintenance agreements for a 3 shift operation is 3 years and if high usage (hours/day) the term may be 24 months.
Just food for thought. Read any lease & maintenace agreements with a fine tooth comb & ask questions before you put ink on the line.

The Still would be my choice if the supplier can back it up with good well trained engineers. But why restrict yourself to just two brands, in the 2.5 tonne C/B market there are a myriad of choices and if you are only doing 2000 hours a year, nearly all of them should be able to do that. Your choice should be based on the supplier not the brand.