The age of a forklift is measured by the hours of operation. On average, a single-shift operation with a regular 8-hour workday will run a forklift for 2,000 hours per year. Most forklifts will last for a lifespan of roughly 10,000 hours. The lifespan of the forklift will vary based on the manufacturer due to the quality of the parts and the craftsmanship.  Factors that Can Speed up Aging in Forklifts There are a variety of factors that can lead to faster aging in forklifts. In addition to how long the forklift, factors that contribute to more rapid aging include: Lifting heavy stacks often Use on multiple shifts per day Operation in colder temperatures Lack of proper maintenance Two forklifts that are the same age can still have different life expectancies depending on the conditions they were operated. A forklift that was used mainly indoors in cleaner conditions for lighter loads will likely last much longer than a forklift that has been exposed to harsh temperatures or used consis