2.5 Tonne Forklift Hire Melbourne

Hire a 2.5 tonne forklift anywhere in Melbourne. We hire Toyota gas (LPG) forklifts from 1.8 to 3 tonne, and the 2.5 tonne is the size most businesses ask for. Weekly hire of a late-model Toyota 1.8–2.5 tonne container mast forklift is $180–$250 + GST, a standard mast can cost less, and servicing and breakdown cover are included for the whole hire. Call 1300 326 654, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Not sure 2.5 tonne is the right size? Read on, or see every option on our forklift hire Melbourne page.

Why 2.5 tonne is the most common forklift size

A 2.0 to 2.5 tonne forklift is the most common general-purpose size. It suits standard pallets, container loading and most warehouse and yard work. It has more capacity than a compact 1.8 tonne forklift, so you have headroom for heavier pallets, but it isn’t as big or heavy as a 3 tonne or 3.5 tonne machine, so it still works in most warehouse aisles and loading docks.

That’s why so many Melbourne warehouses, transport yards, factories and trade businesses run a 2.5 tonne forklift. If you’re unloading a container one week and moving pallets around the yard the next, it’s a size that covers both.

2.5 tonne forklift hire rates

  • Toyota LPG (gas) forklift, 1.8–3 tonne: from $30/day + GST.
  • Weekly hire, late-model Toyota 1.8–2.5 tonne container mast: $180–$250 + GST per week. A standard mast can cost less.
  • Electric forklift, 1.8–3 tonne: from $30/day + GST.
  • Minimum hire: generally one week.
  • Delivery and pick-up: from around $180 + GST, depending on your suburb. Quoted before you book.
  • Longer hires: call 1300 326 654 for long-term rates.

All prices exclude GST. Delivery costs less the longer you hire, and on hires over a month you can ask us about reduced delivery. For a week or a few weeks, see short-term forklift hire. For months or years, see long-term forklift hire.

What’s included when you hire a 2.5 tonne forklift

  • Servicing and breakdown cover for the whole hire. If something goes wrong, call us and we’ll sort it. You aren’t booking services or chasing parts.
  • A machine matched to the job. Tell us the load, the lift height and where it will work, and we’ll match the capacity and mast.
  • Hire now, pay later. Set up an account in under 5 minutes.
  • Delivery and pick-up are extra, and we quote them before you book so there are no surprises.

Is a 2.5 tonne forklift big enough for your loads?

Capacity is the most important number on a forklift. Match the rated capacity to your heaviest regular load, with some headroom, and check it at your load centre and lift height. Capacity drops as you lift higher, and attachments such as clamps and fork positioners reduce usable capacity too. Check the data plate on the forklift, or ask us to check it for your load.

As a rough guide to the sizes we hire:

  • 1.8 tonne. Light pallets, small warehouses, retail backrooms and workshops. A 1.8 tonne forklift is compact and easy to manoeuvre in tighter spaces. See 1.8 tonne forklift hire.
  • 2.0 to 2.5 tonne. The most common general-purpose size. Suits standard pallets, container loading and most warehouse and yard work.
  • 3 tonne. Heavier pallets, building materials, steel and timber, and outdoor yards. Bigger and heavier, so check your floor and aisle widths.

If your heaviest load is close to 2.5 tonne, or you lift it high into racking, tell us when you call. A 3 tonne forklift may suit better, and we hire those at the same starting rate. Our 3 tonne forklift hire in Melbourne page has more on that size. If your loads are light and your space is tight, a 1.8 tonne may be the easier machine to drive.

Container mast or standard mast?

A container mast has a lower closed height, so the forklift can drive in and out of shipping containers. A standard mast suits open warehouses and yards. If you unload shipping containers, a container mast is usually what you need. Our weekly rate of $180–$250 + GST is for a late-model Toyota 1.8–2.5 tonne container mast forklift, and a standard mast can cost less.

For racking, measure the height of your highest racking beam and allow clearance above it, then tell us that figure so we can check the forklift’s lift height against it.

Gas or electric 2.5 tonne forklift?

Gas (LPG). Gas forklifts are the main part of our hire fleet. They’re powerful all-rounders for loading trucks, yards, loading docks and construction sites, and they suit sites where the forklift works inside and outside through the day. Most long-term hires for warehouses, factories and transport yards are a 1.8 to 3 tonne LPG Toyota.

Electric. Quiet, zero fumes at the point of use, with good visibility out the back because there’s no gas bottle. Great for warehouses. Our electric hire forklifts are Toyota, from 1.8 to 3 tonne, from $30/day + GST, and the charger is included. See electric forklift hire Melbourne.

Still deciding? Read LPG vs electric forklifts, or tell us where the forklift will work and we’ll point you to the right fuel type.

Jobs a 2.5 tonne hire forklift covers

  • A container that’s just landed and needs unloading.
  • A stocktake, peak season or a busy few weeks.
  • A fit-out, move or one-off project where buying doesn’t add up.
  • Covering your own forklift while it’s off the road.
  • A forklift on site every working day, without buying one.

Short jobs suit short-term hire, with a minimum of generally one week. If the work runs longer, keep it longer. On a longer hire, you have the option to change capacity if the work changes, so you aren’t stuck with a 2.5 tonne if you end up needing a 3 tonne.

2.5 tonne forklift delivery across Melbourne

We deliver hire forklifts to sites right across Melbourne. Delivery is from around $180 + GST, depending on your suburb and how long you hire.

Not sure if we reach you? Call 1300 326 654 with the delivery address and we’ll confirm.

How hiring a 2.5 tonne forklift works

  1. Call 1300 326 654 or send us an enquiry.
  2. Tell us the load weight, lift height, indoors or outdoors, whether you unload containers, how long you need it, and the delivery address.
  3. We’ll quote the hire plus delivery and pick-up before you book.
  4. We deliver the forklift, ready to work. When you’re done, we pick it up.

Want a feel for the numbers first? Read what forklift hire costs.

Why hire from Damoli

  • Family owned and operated since 2009. You’re not ringing a national call centre. You deal with the people who own and look after the machines.
  • 150+ forklifts in the hire fleet, mainly Toyota: LPG (gas) forklifts from 1.8 to 3 tonne, plus electric. Reach trucks and scissor lifts too (call for rates).
  • Two yards, west and north. Werribee is open Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm, with weekends by appointment. Epping is open Monday to Friday, midnight to 4pm.
  • Servicing and breakdown cover included on every hire.

Rather buy a 2.5 tonne forklift?

If you need a forklift for years, buying can make more sense. Our used forklifts for sale in Melbourne are mainly Toyota and come with up to a 3-year warranty, and finance is available. Based on the forklifts listed in October 2026, 2.5 tonne LPG and electric counterbalance forklifts ranged from $10,000 to $18,000 + GST, depending on year, hours, mast and attachments. See the full list of forklifts for sale for today’s stock and prices.

Already have a forklift that needs work?

We do forklift service and repair on site across Melbourne. We service all makes and models, and we specialise in Toyota. Our service special is $345 + GST (normally $420 + GST), with travel, labour, parts and consumables included, for gas, petrol and electric forklifts up to 3t, anywhere in Melbourne. If your own machine is off the road, we can often get a hire forklift to you while yours is fixed.

2.5 tonne forklift hire near you

We deliver 2.5 tonne hire forklifts across Melbourne from our two yards: Unit 2/76 Riverside Ave, Werribee VIC 3030 (Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm; weekends by appointment) and 55 Produce Drive, Epping VIC 3076 (Monday to Friday, midnight to 4pm; call before you come). Delivery is from around $180 + GST, quoted for your suburb before you book. Local hire pages:

Western suburbs: Werribee, Laverton North, Truganina, Tarneit, Derrimut, Altona, Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing, Sunshine, Brooklyn, Footscray, Deer Park.

Northern suburbs: Epping, Campbellfield, Tullamarine, Thomastown, Preston, Bundoora, Reservoir, Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, Coolaroo.

Compare every size and fuel type on our forklift hire and rental Melbourne page.

2.5 tonne forklift hire FAQs

Is forklift hire the same as forklift rental?

Yes. Hire and rental mean the same thing. You rent a 2.5 tonne forklift from us for as long as you need it, generally with a one-week minimum, and servicing and breakdown cover are included. Call 1300 326 654 for a quote.

How much does it cost to hire a 2.5 tonne forklift in Melbourne?

Toyota LPG (gas) forklifts from 1.8 to 3 tonne start from $30/day + GST. Weekly hire of a late-model Toyota 1.8–2.5 tonne container mast forklift is $180–$250 + GST, and a standard mast can cost less. Minimum hire is generally one week, and delivery is from around $180 + GST, depending on your suburb.

What is the minimum hire period?

Minimum hire is generally one week. You can keep the forklift for as long as the work needs it, and longer hires get long-term rates. Call 1300 326 654 for those.

Is 2.5 tonne the right size for me?

A 2.0 to 2.5 tonne forklift is the most common general-purpose size, and it suits standard pallets, container loading and most warehouse and yard work. Match the rated capacity to your heaviest regular load with some headroom, and remember capacity drops as you lift higher. Tell us your heaviest load and lift height and we’ll check it.

Can I hire a 2.5 tonne forklift with a container mast?

Yes. A container mast has a lower closed height, so the forklift can drive in and out of shipping containers. Our weekly rate of $180–$250 + GST is for a late-model Toyota 1.8–2.5 tonne container mast forklift.

Do you hire electric 2.5 tonne forklifts?

Yes. We hire Toyota electric forklifts from 1.8 to 3 tonne, from $30/day + GST, with the charger included. They’re quiet, with zero fumes at the point of use, and suit indoor warehouse work.

Is servicing included?

Yes. Servicing and breakdown cover are included for the length of the hire. If the machine needs attention, call us and we’ll sort it out.

Do you deliver across Melbourne?

Yes. We deliver to the west from our Werribee yard, to the north from our Epping yard, and to the south-east, east and inner suburbs. Delivery is from around $180 + GST and depends on your suburb and how long you hire. On hires over a month, ask us about reduced delivery.

Can I change to a bigger forklift if my loads change?

On a longer hire, you have the option to change capacity if the work changes. We hire Toyota LPG (gas) forklifts up to 3 tonne. Call 1300 326 654 and tell us what you’re now lifting.

Ready to hire a 2.5 tonne forklift?

Call 1300 326 654 or send an enquiry. Toyota gas (LPG) forklifts from 1.8 to 3 tonne, from $30/day + GST, delivered all over Melbourne, with servicing and breakdown cover included. Electric forklifts too.

Forklift sales, hire & service, Melbourne