Diesel, LPG or Electric Forklift? How to Choose the Right One
Choose diesel for outdoor yards and long working days, LPG for sheds and warehouses where diesel isn't wanted, and electric for indoor work where exhaust and noise matter. If you drive on gravel, grass or mud, go rough-terrain or all-terrain instead of a standard forklift. Here's how to pick, using the real specifications of the 12 forklifts in the HandyMax range.
The short answer
| Your site and work | Start with | Capacity / lift height |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor yards, loading trucks, long days | Diesel: HMF25-D30, HMF35-D30, HMF25-T45, HMF35-T45, HMF55 | 2.5–5.5 t / 3–4.5 m |
| Sheds and warehouses where diesel isn't wanted | LPG / petrol: HMF25G, HMF35G | 2.5 or 3.5 t / 4.5 m |
| Indoor work with no exhaust and less noise | Electric (lithium): HMF25E, HMF35E | 2.5 or 3.5 t / 4.8 m |
| Gravel yards and building sites | Rough terrain: HMF35RT, HMF40RT | 3.5 or 4 t / 4.5 m |
| Farms, grass and uneven ground | All-terrain 4x4: HMAT35 | 3.5 t / 4.5 m |
Diesel, LPG and electric side by side
| Diesel | LPG / petrol | Electric (lithium) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Diesel | LPG bottle, or petrol | Lithium-ion battery: 14 kWh (HMF25E), 27 kWh (HMF35E) |
| Refuel or recharge | Fill up in minutes | Swap the bottle in minutes | 10% to 100% in 2.3–2.9 hours (HMF35E) |
| Working time | As long as there's fuel | As long as there's gas | 5–7 hours per charge, depending on load and use (HMF35E) |
| Exhaust and noise | Most exhaust and noise | Cleaner exhaust than diesel | No exhaust at the machine, and the quietest |
| Best ground | Paved and compacted yards | Concrete floors and paved yards | Concrete floors and paved yards |
| Servicing | Engine, transmission and hydraulic service: see our forklift service schedule | Same as diesel, plus spark plugs and LPG checks | No engine oil, fuel filters or engine coolant to change |
| Lift height | 3 m (D30) or 4.5 m | 4.5 m | 4.8 m |
Choose diesel if most of your work is outdoors
Diesel forklifts suit yards, loading bays and open-sided sheds, and the longest working days, because you refuel in minutes. Every HandyMax diesel forklift has an automatic powershift transmission and side-shift. Start with the 2.5 t HMF25 or the 3.5 t HMF35. The D30 versions (HMF25-D30, HMF35-D30) lift to 3 m with a 2-stage mast; the T45 versions (HMF25-T45, HMF35-T45) lift to 4.5 m with a 3-stage container mast for loading shipping containers. For heavier loads, the HMF55 lifts 5.5 t (at a 600 mm load centre) to 4.5 m on dual front wheels. Diesel exhaust means they're best kept out of enclosed spaces.
Choose LPG if diesel isn't wanted in your shed
The HMF25G and HMF35G run on LPG or petrol, with a Nissan K25 engine. Swapping a gas bottle takes minutes, so there's no charging downtime, and LPG burns cleaner than diesel. Both lift to 4.5 m with a 3-stage container mast and come on pneumatic tyres, with solid tyres optional. LPG forklifts need a little extra care: inspect the spark plugs every 200 hours, check the LPG system for leaks with soapy water only (never a flame), and close the bottle valve and park outside overnight.
Choose electric for quiet indoor work
The HMF25E and HMF35E have lithium-ion batteries (14 kWh and 27 kWh) with a 5-year battery warranty. There's no exhaust at the machine and far less noise, which makes them the pick for warehouses, food and retail sites, and anywhere people work close by. The HMF35E runs 5–7 hours on a charge depending on load and use, and recharges from 10% to 100% in 2.3–2.9 hours. Both lift to 4.8 m with a 3-stage container mast, the highest in the range. Servicing is simpler too: there's no engine oil, fuel filter or engine coolant to change.
Choose rough-terrain or all-terrain for soft or uneven ground
Standard forklifts are built for concrete and compacted yards. On gravel, grass or mud, choose a rough-terrain HMF35RT (3.5 t) or HMF40RT (4 t), which ride on large pneumatic tyres, or the all-terrain HMAT35: four-wheel drive, 3.5 t capacity, travel speed up to 35 km/h and an air-conditioned cab. All three lift to 4.5 m with a 3-stage container mast.
Capacity and lift height
Pick the capacity from your heaviest regular load, not the average one. Capacities are rated at a 500 mm load centre (600 mm on the HMF55). A long or awkward load sits further out on the tynes and reduces what the forklift can safely lift, so allow a margin. For lift height, measure your highest rack beam or stack and add clearance. If you load shipping containers, choose a container mast.
The HandyMax forklift range at a glance
Current prices, including GST, are on each model's page and in the full forklift range.
| Model | Power | Capacity | Lift height | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMF25-D30 | Diesel | 2,500 kg | 3.0 m | Yards, workshops and loading trucks |
| HMF35-D30 | Diesel | 3,500 kg | 3.0 m | Yards, workshops and loading trucks |
| HMF25-T45 | Diesel | 2,500 kg | 4.5 m, container mast | Higher stacking and containers |
| HMF35-T45 | Diesel | 3,500 kg | 4.5 m, container mast | Higher stacking and containers |
| HMF55 | Diesel | 5,500 kg (600 mm load centre) | 4.5 m, container mast | Heavier loads |
| HMF25G | LPG / petrol | 2,500 kg | 4.5 m, container mast | Sheds and warehouses where diesel isn't wanted |
| HMF35G | LPG / petrol | 3,500 kg | 4.5 m, container mast | Sheds and warehouses where diesel isn't wanted |
| HMF25E | Electric, 14 kWh lithium | 2,500 kg | 4.8 m, container mast | Indoor work, no exhaust |
| HMF35E | Electric, 27 kWh lithium | 3,500 kg | 4.8 m, container mast | Indoor work, no exhaust |
| HMF35RT | Diesel, rough terrain | 3,500 kg | 4.5 m, container mast | Gravel yards and building sites |
| HMF40RT | Diesel, rough terrain | 4,000 kg | 4.5 m, container mast | Gravel yards and building sites |
| HMAT35 | Diesel, all-terrain 4x4 | 3,500 kg | 4.5 m, container mast | Farms, grass and uneven ground |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a diesel forklift indoors?
Diesel exhaust makes diesel forklifts a better fit for outdoor yards and open-sided sheds. For enclosed spaces, choose electric.
Can the LPG forklifts run on petrol?
Yes. The HMF25G and HMF35G run on LPG or petrol.
How long does an electric forklift battery last?
The HMF35E runs 5–7 hours on a charge, depending on load and use, and charges from 10% to 100% in 2.3–2.9 hours. Both electric models have a lithium-ion battery with a 5-year battery warranty.
Which forklift is best for a farm?
If you drive on grass, gravel or mud, choose the all-terrain HMAT35 (four-wheel drive) or a rough-terrain HMF35RT or HMF40RT. Standard forklifts are built for concrete and compacted ground.
What's the difference between the D30 and T45 models?
The mast. D30 models lift to 3 m with a 2-stage mast; T45 models lift to 4.5 m with a 3-stage container mast. The capacity is the same: 2.5 t on the HMF25, 3.5 t on the HMF35.
How often do HandyMax forklifts need servicing?
Diesel and LPG forklifts: first service at 30 hours or 3 months, then a regular service every 300 hours or 3 months. Our forklift service schedule lists every item. For the electric models, call us for their checklist.
Talk to us
Not sure which forklift fits? Tell us the load, lift height and ground, and we'll recommend the right machine. Call us on 03 9769 2888 or 1300 077 999, or visit us at 2/22 Park Drive, Dandenong South VIC 3175.
