Government Forklift Auctions: Surplus Hyster, Toyota & Yale Lifts
Government agencies auction surplus forklifts and material-handling equipment as warehouses and motor pools cycle fleet - electric and LPG sit-down riders, reach trucks, and pallet jacks, often at 40-70% below dealer prices.
Government warehouses, military bases, and public-works yards retire forklifts on a regular schedule, and they're sold to the public at auction for a fraction of dealer prices. We pull the live surplus forklift catalog from GSA Auctions, GovDeals, Public Surplus, and more into one searchable feed so you can compare capacity, hours, and power type, then click through to bid on the official site.
127 active forklift listings right now.Last updated: 2026-07-13
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2014 Caterpillar DP50CN1 Pneumatic Tire Forklift
23 bids
Man-lift cage for forklift
22 bids
Toyota Forklifts - lot of 3
19 bids
Clark Propane Forklift
18 bids
2022 Caterpillar GP40N Pneumatic Tire Forklift
17 bids
2009 Hyster H155 FT AF Forklift
14 bids
Strongway 5500 lb Manual Pallet Jack
13 bids
Forklift, Nissan, electric
12 bids
Linde H60D-02 Diesel Forklift
11 bids
2019 CAT DP45N1 Diesel Forklift
11 bids
2005 CATERPILLAR EC20 FORKLIFT
11 bids
CLARK FORKLIFT C500Y
11 bids
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I buy a government surplus forklift?
- Surplus forklifts are sold through official platforms like GSA Auctions (federal warehouses and military bases), GovDeals, and Public Surplus (state and local agencies). GovAuctions aggregates these into one free searchable feed so you can compare lifts across every platform at once.
- What brands of forklift show up at government auctions?
- The most common are Hyster, Yale, Toyota, Crown, Caterpillar, Clark, and Komatsu - the same brands used in government and military warehouses. Capacities typically run 3,000-15,000 lbs, in both electric and LPG/propane configurations.
- Are surplus forklifts in working condition?
- Most are retired from active warehouse or motor-pool service and run, but they're sold as-is. Listings include a condition code, hour meter (the forklift equivalent of mileage), and photos. Inspect in person or arrange a third-party inspection before bidding when the value justifies it.
- How much does a used government forklift cost?
- Winning bids commonly land between $1,500 and $12,000 depending on capacity, hours, power type, and attachments - well under the $20,000-$45,000 cost of a comparable new lift. Electric models and those with low hours command the highest bids.
- How do I transport a forklift I won at auction?
- Forklifts are picked up at the agency facility where they're located, usually within 10-15 business days. Most buyers arrange a flatbed or rollback tow; larger capacity lifts may need a lowboy trailer. The listing shows the pickup address and deadline.