Material Handling Equipment Buying Guide: Forklifts, Racking, and Conveyor Systems
Setting up or expanding a warehouse costs a lot of money. New forklifts cost $20,000-$50,000. Warehouse racking systems cost $50-$200 per section. Conveyor systems range from $5,000 for basic models to over $500,000 for automated sorting lines. These costs add up fast, but auctions offer a better deal. Used equipment costs much less than new equipment and still works well.
We reviewed five of our distribution center auctions from 2025 and below are the results. Prices ranged from $900 forklifts to complete storage systems. Understanding what makes equipment valuable helps buyers make smart choices.
Three Main Types of Warehouse Equipment
Warehouse equipment falls into three main categories. Forklifts include electric, propane, and diesel models in different styles. Racking systems organize storage, from basic pallet racks to high-density systems. Conveyors move materials, from simple roller systems to complex automated sorting lines.
In five recent auctions, 277 forklifts sold for $593,762. Another 302 racking units brought in $41,542. And 113 conveyor systems sold for $10,125.
How to Check Used Forklifts at Auction
Forklift hour meters work like car odometers. Equipment with under 8,000 hours usually works well for 5-7 more years if it's been maintained properly.
What to Check Before You Bid
Hour Meter and Use: Look for equipment with under 8,000 hours. At a recent auction of ours, a propane forklift with 3,260 hours sold for $9,000. Low documented hours help the forklift hold its value.
Mast and Forks: Check forks for cracks, bends, or damage. Look at the mast rails for wear. Make sure they work smoothly. Check that lift chains aren't stretched. Test the tilt function both directions. Three-stage masts are standard in warehouses.
Hydraulic System: Look for leaks around cylinders and hoses. Check the fluid level through the sight glass. Fluid should be clear or amber, not cloudy or dark. Test all hydraulic functions during the preview.
Safety and Weight Limits: Make sure safety paperwork is current. Check that safety features work (lights, backup alarms, seatbelts). Read the load capacity plate to see how much weight the forklift can lift. Most warehouses need forklifts that can lift 3,000-5,000 pounds.
Power Source Options
Electric forklifts are most common in warehouses. Most use 36-volt systems. Raymond brand forklifts brought the highest prices at our auctions. Check battery age carefully—new batteries cost $2,000-$4,000. Battery chargers sold separately at our auctions for $60-$750. New electric forklifts cost $20,000-$45,000, plus $2,500-$5,000 for battery and charger.
Propane forklifts run longer between fill-ups. Propane models with 3-stage masts sold for $9,000 in working condition. New propane forklifts typically cost $25,000-$50,000.
Diesel forklifts are the most powerful but usually can only be used outdoors. Check the engine hours and make sure it meets emission rules in your area.
Auction Prices
Basic working forklifts sold for a median price of $900 (out of 277 units). Mid-range electric forklifts went for $4,000-$7,500. High-end Raymond 425 series electric forklifts sold for $7,500-$16,000. The highest sale was $16,000 for a Raymond forklift with a 36-volt system and 3-stage mast. Narrow-aisle reach trucks sold for $4,000-$5,500.
Raymond brand forklifts sold for higher prices because buyers trust the brand's quality and know they can get parts easily.
Choosing and Checking Pallet Racking
Warehouse racking at auctions costs much less than new. Sections are priced by beam length and frame height to fit your warehouse.
Racking Types and Prices
Selective pallet racking is the most common type. You can reach every pallet without moving others. Standard Unarco and Interlake racking sections sold for $30-$85 per unit at Grafe auctions. Out of 302 racking units that sold for $41,542, the average price was $138 but the median was $40. New racking costs $50-$200 per pallet position.
High-density systems give up easy access to get more storage space. Drive-in racking removes aisles to pack in more pallets. These systems usually sell as complete sets. New drive-in racking costs $75-$150 per pallet position. Push-back systems cost $300-$600 per pallet position.
Special installations add vertical space. A complete 200-foot warehouse mezzanine (elevated platform) with stairs and safety rails sold for $1,500 at a recent Grafe auction.
What to Check
Look at upright frames for damage from forklift hits. Bent columns are dangerous. Check beam connections and locking pins. Look for rust, especially at the bottom where water collects. Make sure anchor bolts are tight.
Load capacity tags should be easy to read on each section. Add up your pallet weight plus product weight to know what you need. Check if your area has earthquake rules that affect racking.
Racking sells by the section, bay, or lot. Count carefully before bidding. You'll need proper equipment to take it down. Always start at the top and work down. A full truck can hold 15-20 bays depending on height.
Buying Used Conveyor Systems
Conveyor systems at auction range from simple gravity rollers (under $100) to complex powered systems ($650). Whether a conveyor is portable affects its resale value.
Conveyor Types and Prices
Gravity roller conveyors need no power. They're easy to install and move. These units sold for $0.10-$230 at recent Grafe auctions based on length and condition.
Powered conveyors move materials without pushing. Belt-driven units work for smaller items. Roller-driven systems work better for pallets and heavy loads. New basic belt conveyors cost $5,000-$50,000. Roller conveyors cost $10,000-$100,000.
Expandable portable systems sold for higher prices. Best Flex 1.9Power units (12 feet long) sold for $425-$650. NestaFlex 226 portable conveyors (6 feet long) sold for $400-$500. These units are easy to move around, which makes them more valuable.
Sorting and automated systems are the most complex. They're often custom-built for one warehouse, which makes them harder to reuse. Truck loading conveyors sold for $25-$300 based on length. New automated sorting systems cost $50,000-$500,000.
The 113 conveyor systems that sold for $10,125 (averaging $90) show that conveyors are often good deals at auction. Portable powered units keep their value because they work in different warehouses.
Other Essential Equipment: Pallet Jacks
Manual pallet jacks sold for a median price of $95 at our auctions ($21-$135 range). Electric Raymond 8410 models with 8-foot forks sold for $3,500-$5,000, while standard electric units sold for $240-$450.
Total Cost: What You'll Really Pay
The winning bid is just the start. You also pay the buyer's premium (18% at Grafe auctions), sales tax, removal or moving services, and transportation to your warehouse. Racking and conveyors need professional installation. Forklifts need safety inspections before you can use them.
Real Example:
- Winning bid: $4,500 (Raymond electric forklift, working)
- Buyer's premium (18%): $810
- Battery charger: $275
- Total: approximately $6,000-$7,000 (after adding transport, inspection, and any needed repairs)
New Equipment Cost: $27,500-$40,000 (forklift plus battery and charger)
The auction purchase costs about 16-23% of new equipment cost. You could buy four to six quality used forklifts for the price of one new unit.
Preview, Bidding, and Moving Equipment
Preview Day Tips: We host previews before each auction event unless the facility has restrictions against it. Before attending, it's smart to read the catalog photos and descriptions carefully. When you go, bring measuring tape, a flashlight, notepad, and camera. Depending on the location, it may be smart to wear steel-toe boots. Get there early. Ask staff before testing equipment. For forklifts, check hour meters, test hydraulics, and look at tires and batteries. For racking, look for damage, rust, and missing parts. Write down serial numbers, model numbers, condition notes, and anything else that will help you remember which piece of machinery you're interested in.
Setting Your Bid Limit: Calculate your total cost by adding the winning bid, buyer's premium, transportation, and installation expenses, then set a strict maximum bid based on this number. Market data from our recent auctions show entry-level forklifts selling for $900-$1,500, mid-range electric forklifts going for $4,000-$7,500, and premium units reaching $11,000-$16,000. On auction day, register early and watch several similar items sell before placing your first bid to get a feel for current demand if you're nervous about jumping in. Have backup equipment options identified in case your first choice exceeds your budget.
Moving Equipment: Forklift removal offers several options depending on whether the unit is operational. Working forklifts can be self-loaded onto trailers, while non-operational units need flatbed transport or professional hauling services. Racking removal requires a specific process—always start at the top and work your way down, labeling components as you disassemble them for easier reassembly at your facility. Large racking systems typically require multiple truckloads, with a standard semi-trailer handling 15-20 bays depending on height. Conveyor systems present the most complex removal challenges and often require professional riggers and licensed electricians for safe disconnection. We coordinate pickup windows and provide on-site supervision to ensure safe and efficient equipment removal.
Making Smart Equipment Purchases
Material handling equipment is expensive. New forklifts cost $20,000-$50,000. Racking costs $50-$200 per section. Conveyors cost $5,000 to over $500,000. Auctions help businesses save money.
In five of our 2025 auctions, 1,705 pieces of equipment sold for over $1 million. Buyers found good deals from $95 pallet jacks to $16,000 premium forklifts. Our median forklift price of $900 is much less than the $25,000+ cost of new equipment.
Success at equipment auctions comes from three things: careful inspection at preview days, realistic budgets that include all costs, and smart bidding based on market prices. We run warehouse equipment auctions that bring buyers and sellers together. We provide professional catalogs, scheduled inspection times, and help with equipment removal.
Ready to find material handling equipment? Browse our current auctions to see available equipment. Register for upcoming events to get notified about warehouse sales. Contact us about your equipment needs—we can tell you when the right equipment becomes available.
Whether you need one forklift or a complete warehouse setup, auctions give you access to quality equipment at prices that fit your budget.