Renting a forklift? Is your place ready?
Forklifts and reach stackers from 1.5 to 45 tons, with our operator. Check your door, aisles, ramps, floor and walkways before it comes.
- 1.5–45 tForklifts and reach stackers to rent
- WithOur operator on every machine
- OursRollbacks and lowbeds to your door
Six checks before the forklift comes.
- 01
Rent the machine
A forklift or reach stacker with our operator, for the term you need, delivered on our own rollback or lowbed.
- 02
The way in
A ramp within the machine’s gradient, and a door high and wide enough for it, loaded.
- 03
The route and the aisles
A level, firm floor, people on foot kept apart, and aisles with room to turn with the pallet.
- 04
Somewhere to charge
A well-ventilated spot to charge or refuel, with no smoking or flames.
Request a quote for your rental
Your rental
Step 1 of 7- Machine
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- Size
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- How long
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- The place
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- Where
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- Start
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- Warehouse check
- Optional
The forklift, and your place
What we rent out, and what your place needs before a forklift arrives, from the HSE’s guidance on lift trucks (L117) and makers’ figures.
The rental
- 1.5 to 45 tonsForklifts and reach stackers
- With our operatorTrained for the machine
- Short, medium or longThe term you need
- Delivered and collectedOn our rollbacks and lowbeds
Your place
- The way inWide and high enough, loaded
- RampsWithin its gradient, never across
- The floorLevel and firm, no potholes
- The aislesAbout 3.6 to 4.3 m for a 2.5 t
People on foot
Keep them out of the forklift’s area where possible. Otherwise separate them on marked walkways, with a physical barrier where possible, and mark the crossings (HSE L117, para 121).
Light
Adequate light where the forklift and people move, without glare or a sudden change, such as from bright sunlight into the building (paras 128, 129). In South Africa the Physical Agents Regulations, 2024 (reg 11) set the minimum light by workplace.
Charging and loading
Charging gives off explosive hydrogen: a well-ventilated area, no smoking or flames (paras 174, 176). At the dock, the trailer braked and bridge plates secured; curtain-siders have no edge protection (paras 155 to 157).
Where we operate
Our head office and 24-hour control centre are at 69–71 Barlow Road, Jupiter, Germiston, beside our depot, where our forklifts and reach stackers are based, with an office in Durban.
- Germiston depot69–71 Barlow Road, Jupiter, Germiston 011 873 4786
- Durban · Greyville81 Berea Road, Greyville, Durban 031 305 0438
Part of Shipping & General Transport
Shipping & General Transport is a privately owned South African logistics company built on trustworthiness, perseverance and reliability. Rental of Forklifts is one of its specialist services: forklifts and reach stackers to rent with our operator, delivered on our own trucks.
Visit shippingandgeneral.co.zaQuestions about renting a forklift
Can’t find your answer? Our team is a phone call away.
Call 011 873 4786Do your rental forklifts come with an operator?
Yes. Our forklifts and reach stackers go out with our operator. Our site doesn’t offer a machine without one, so ask us if that’s what you need.
How wide must my aisles be?
Wide enough for the machine to turn and stack at right angles. For a typical 2.5-ton electric counterbalance forklift, makers give about 3.6 to 4.3 m for a 1,000 × 1,200 pallet, 200 mm clearance included. Bigger machines need their own figure. Measure your narrowest aisle, rack face to rack face, and we check it against the machine.
Will it fit through my door?
Measure the clear width and height at the lowest point, the roller door’s drum included. The route needs enough width and overhead clearance for the machine, loaded or unloaded, with overhead obstructions marked (HSE L117, paras 126, 127). We compare your figures with the machine’s.
Can it drive up a ramp?
Only within the maker’s maximum gradient for that machine, and never travelling or turning across a slope. Where you can, take gradients off the route (HSE L117, para 126). Tell us the ramp’s rise and length.
What floor does a forklift need?
As level and firm as possible, preferably concrete, with potholes repaired and loose material cleared (HSE L117, para 125). Tell us about gravel or soft ground before it comes.
How do I keep people safe around it?
Keep people on foot out of the forklift’s area where you can. Otherwise give them marked walkways, with a physical barrier where possible, and marked crossings (para 121). Doors that swing both ways need a viewing panel (para 19).
How much light does it need?
Adequate light where the forklift and people move, without glare or a sudden change, such as from bright sunlight into the building (paras 128, 129). In South Africa the Physical Agents Regulations, 2024 (reg 11) set the minimum light by workplace, in force from 6 September 2026.
Where should it charge or refuel?
Battery charging gives off explosive hydrogen, so charge in a well-ventilated area with no smoking or naked flames (paras 174, 176). Refuel with the engine off and no smoking; LPG is heavier than air and gathers in low places (paras 142, 143). Ask us which fuel the machine runs on.
Can it load trucks at my dock?
When it does, the trailer needs its brakes on and a deck able to take the forklift and the load, with bridge plates secured. Curtain-siders have no edge protection (HSE L117, paras 155 to 157).
What sizes can I rent?
Forklifts and reach stackers from 1.5 to 45 tons. Which one suits your load depends on its weight and how far it sits from the machine: our sister site checks that.
How long can I rent for, and how many operators?
Short, medium or long term. The days and hours it works decide the operator shifts: our sister site plans them.
What paperwork will my site ask for?
Usually a 37(2) agreement, the machine’s load test and the operator’s training certificate, among others. Our sister site lists them and where each comes from.
What does it cost?
We don’t publish prices. Answer the short questions in the quote form, add your warehouse check if you like, and we’ll quote on your actual rental.
Where’s it going to work?
Six short questions and your contact details, plus your warehouse check if you like. No prices online, just a quote on your actual rental.
