Have you considered renting a forklift? There are many companies that offer this type of rental and can probably get you a good rate since the truck won't be getting much usage. They can also make a good recommendation for your needs and can service the truck to avoid the issues described above.

I ended up getting an electric standup lift 4000lb capacity just off 10 year lease with 3-phase charger. It was about $1100 USD after shipping expenses. The battery charges up to 1 green light (there are 3 green lights). So it doesn't seem to hold a full charge. Is that a sign of trouble coming soon?

It's fine for the light use we put it to. I guess we'll just use it until it dies completely.

Do forklift batteries recycle for any cash? They are listed at over 2000 lbs.

If your looking for a pedestrian stacker (walk-behind) then you have no choice but to go electric. The others are right in saying what they have as most second hand electric trucks come complete with a totally shagged battery!. If your looking along the lines of a 1000kg stacker (especially the older Crown kit) then it's probably gonna take 4 (6v) mono-bloc batteries,so price 4 new one's into your spend. The trucks are generally very reliable before the 7-10000 hour mark so less than this and new batts should be spot on for your needs. Charge about once a week to conditon the cells then you should be good for several years!.
Hope that's a help and feel free to ask if I can help anymore!

Hope you get what you need.

John didn't you write; "(which hasn't changed all that much since 1967)"
I didn't know what year you started looking at these things...
I almost never have "reasoning", I thought you could have told that? ;-)

1967 is when I started my 41 year career in the forklift industry. Nothing happed to them then that don't happen to them now (except maybe the intercell connectors have less lead in them today & seem to need replacing more frequently & the battery/forklift industry standardized on a common battery case height).

I understood everything you typed, except for your reasoning to type your last paragraph.

Johnr_j, I seriously apologize if you felt I was truly trying to hurt your feeling or ego, and I think we do agree as to the reasoning behind not using a battery powered unit in such light usage, I just wanted to point out that the $ cost of the very used electric forklift would/should be smaller than the cost of a -good- battery for the forklift, and just what those problems would be, and what the proper "work around" ought to be, in my opinion.
May I ask; what happened to lead-acid batteries in 1967 that caused you to pick that time frame?

Ed T
1. My issue is not with the truck but rather the low usage on the battery and low usage & infrequent charging of the battery which leads to sulfating issues on the lead acid battery (which hasn't changed all that much since 1967) and that leads to undervoltage situation which leads to high amperage draw which lead tos shortened lift to electrical and electronic components.
2. I have had professionals try to hurt my feeling (yep it is singular) & have failed. Anything else is like water on a ducks back.

Drip, whatever you end up with, older used are about a dollar a capacity pound on the cheap side. I saw no Delaware forks on e-bay just now, go figure.
The one in my back yard cost me $150.00 I average about an hour a month.
I know John and Edward were just about to say......make sure whoever is operating the fork is certified per your State and federal OSHA regulations.
Some states have free forklift certification programs.
Dave

I also disagree with John and "avoid electric", but do see his point, as your light hour usage will mean that some days you don't charge the battery at all, and other days you may have to wait until it is charged enough to run the hours you will need it. and also that the battery will be the major expense, as a good battery (and no matter who hollers, in my humble opinion, there really ain't no such thing as a used good battery, reconditioned or not), that said, a good used electric powered forklift can give many years of added service, and with a well maintained battery, you would have years of almost trouble free operation, with the primary trouble being remembering to charge the battery when it is low and you know you will need it the next day for a few hours.
I am soooo tempted to harass John, by saying something like "he is remembering the electrics of his day" (he is retired, I remember him mentioning in another thread, but I should not throw stones either, as I ain't no spring chicken), and used electrics of today are much better, heck you would not want a used black and white TV these days, but they did do what they were designed to do.

Really, no electric? Is the charging a problem?

I was leaning towards a standup order picking lift truck (like a Raymond or Crown) and all of those I've seen are electric.

Great post.

1. Based on your expected usage - stay away from electric.
2. Auctions can be a good place to buy one economically but can be expensive to own. The are sold "As Is Where Is" You have no chance to try it in your operation. When a forklift dealer buys used equipment (meaning a 5k, Lpg, indoor unit) from auctions or off lease equipment they expect to invest and additional $1900 to 2500 to make it retail ready. You generally can buy the unit from a dealer with various types of warranty - from As Is but rental ready, 30 day, 60 day, 90 day, with warranties covering "bumper to bumper, drive train only. Of course the more comprehensive the coverage the higher the price. Plus, through a dealer you finance-to- own a unit. Age, make, model of the machine may affect the finance that is available.

3. Generally, with a unit coming out of a "normal & clean" operation, one can expect the unit to run 8000 to 10,000 hrs. Before extensive repairs can be expected.
Don't fall in love with low hour meter reading for the following reason - hour meters can fail and be replaced, hour meters can be replaced, hour meters can be disconnected, the hour meter stopped working & never fixed, etc. Have someone technically knowledgeable of lift trucks look over the machine to make certain some one is playing the "shell game" on you, like low hours but excessive steer axle play, worn mast channels, etc.
Most anyone can make a POS look and run like a top for a short period.

I'm certain there are other things - you mentioned abuse - a lift truck can be abused many, many different ways - some very creative too.