San Jose Forklift
Thinking of buying a forklift? Maybe you are after a forklift rental? How do you know which San Jose forklift company will best cater to your business needs?
Look no further, there is a good selection of forklift companies serving the San Jose area. Whether you need to buy or rent a forklift or are just in need of parts, repair, or servicing you will find your forklift needs easily covered.
Before you pick a forklift company though, read this review to learn all about the 4 best San Jose forklift companies.
The 4 Best Forklift Companies In San Jose
San Jose Forklift
San Jose Forklift has been around since the late 1960s and they pride themselves on fast, reliable service when it comes to forklifts and can also handle industrial floor machine-related needs.
They offer repairs, maintenance, parts, hauling, and rentals. They can collect forklifts in need of repair and will deliver and collect forklift rentals.
When it comes to sales, they have a good inventory of different forklift models, from diesel, cushion-tire, pneumatic-tire, electric forklifts, and more. Their used forklift inventory includes electric and propane-powered forklifts.
San Jose Forklift runs forklift training courses with options for on-site training, training at their locations, and training courses for trainers. All their courses meet OSHA requirements.
Bay Area Forklift
An independent company that has been in business for almost 20 years, Bay Area Forklift offers quality parts, repairs, and forklift rentals.
Their team of qualified and well-experienced technicians is able to repair and provide maintenance and parts for all types and all brands of forklifts, including various engine types from gas, diesel, propane or LPG to electric.
They also have an emergency repair service and have had great customer reviews.
They have various rental forklifts including brands such as Hyster, Caterpillar, Toyota, and Nissan. Bay Area Forklift also offers forklift operator training courses and certification required by OSHA.
Papé Material Handling
Papé Material Handling has over 90 dealerships nationwide and has been in the material handling industry for over 80 years.
The Fremont branch, also serving the San Jose area is an official dealer of Yale and Hyster forklifts.
They have an extensive range of material handling equipment and forklifts for rent with daily, weekly, monthly as well as seasonal options available.
They offer servicing, maintenance, and parts with a 24/7 emergency repair service and have flexible financing options.
Papé Material Handling has various other products available such as warehouse solutions and power systems.
They have an easy-to-navigate website through which you can contact all their branches. They are very much a one-stop shop for all your material handling and forklift needs.
Lift Parts Express
Lift Parts Express is one of the largest parts suppliers for forklifts and material handling equipment in the US. They have a huge inventory of forklift parts and accessories as well as for other material handling equipment including popular brands such as Nissan, Toyota, and Hyster.
With very reasonable prices, a 12-month warranty on most parts, and a next-day delivery service they are can certainly cater to many parts and accessory-related forklift needs.
Factors To Consider When Buying In San Jose
Sales and Rentals
Most of the San Jose forklift companies have a great inventory of new and pre-owned forklifts for sale. If you have a particular brand in mind then it is best to check the official dealer for the brand. Many of the companies offer flexible financing options which are great especially if you are on a tight budget.
For forklift rental, the San Jose companies have a good selection. Make sure you compare prices in order to get the best deal. Check if any discounts are available on long-term rentals. Also, many companies have a delivery service so they can bring your lift truck or other rented equipment directly to where the job needs to be done.
Forklift Engine Type
Forklifts can have internal combustion engines and run on fuels such as diesel or propane (LPG). There are also electric forklifts that run on a battery that requires charging after use. The type of engine and how it is powered will determine the work it can handle and how suitable it is for a particular workplace.
For example, if you are after a forklift for indoor use, like in a warehouse, then an electric forklift is the better choice as it has no emissions. For industrial, heavy-duty material handling outdoors then a diesel-powered forklift would be suitable as it is more powerful.
When selecting a forklift company it's important to check they stock a good variety of forklift models and engines and the available accessories for your business needs.
Parts, Repairs, and Servicing
Parts, repairs, and servicing are standard services offered by most of the San Jose forklift companies. If you are buying a forklift, be it new or pre-owned, check the length of the warranty and if discounts are offered for future servicing. Also, find out if there is a customer loyalty scheme.
If you want parts and servicing for a particular brand of forklift then it is a good idea to check the availability and cost of these parts and if the company is authorized to service your chosen brand.
Additional Services Offered
Most of the forklift companies offer services in addition to just selling and renting forklifts. Many have other types of material handling equipment as well as accessories that are suitable for a variety of jobs.
Some companies also offer services such as warehouse solutions, operator training courses, financing options for purchases, online fleet monitoring, delivery and collection of rental forklifts, and emergency repairs. It is definitely worth checking what else is available especially if you are likely to need some of these extra services in the future.
Final Thoughts
San Jose, CA has plenty of options when it comes to companies that supply forklifts and other material handling equipment. If you want to buy a brand new or used forklift, or just rent one, then there are several great businesses to choose from.
If you are after parts, servicing, repairs, accessories, and rentals most forklift-related needs can be covered in San Jose by San Jose Forklift, Bay Area Forklift, and Papé Material Handling. Lift Parts Express and Bay Area Forklift may be good options to try if you are mostly after forklift parts. For forklift operator training and certification, it is worth getting in touch with Bay Area Forklift or San Jose Forklift.

Tim Postlethwaite // Staff Writer