Hire
Short and long-term hire is available on a wide range of telehandlers, forklift trucks, access and lifting equipment.
Why Hire From Us
Glosrose can offer you a complete to solution to your mechanical handling requirements. From your initial enquiry to delivery you can rely on the experienced team at Glosrose to match your criteria with the latest equipment.
Short Term Hire (from one week’s hire)
Short-term hire contracts are available from just one week’s hire and offer a quick and cost-effective solution to the unexpected demands to your business whether it’s to cover a truck breakdown, a spike in demand or you just need an alternative truck.
Long Term Hire (3-7 Year Finance Plans)
For many businesses, long-term rental, or contract hire, is more cost-effective than buying plant and materials handling equipment outright. Contract hire agreements fund the use of the forklift over a long period of time This method of finance is ideal for those that don’t want to purchase a truck outright.
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Forklift Hire in Kent, Surrey, Sussex & London
Get fast, reliable forklift hire with full servicing support and prompt delivery across the South East. With over 170 trucks available, Glosrose supplies short‑term rentals for peaks and projects, and contract hire for 3–7 years with predictable monthly costs. Choose from counterbalance forklifts (diesel, LPG, electric), reach trucks, telehandlers, access platforms and scissor lifts, all backed by our in‑house engineers and a well‑stocked parts operation.
Why hire forklifts from Glosrose
Choose Glosrose for forklift hire when you need practical support and predictable costs:
- Keep cash free for growth: hire avoids large upfront spend and spreads cost monthly.
- Uptime as standard: delivery, inspections and responsive engineering support keep shifts moving.
- The right truck at the right time: swap options are available where your contract allows, so you are not locked into the wrong spec.
- Local coverage, fast availability: Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Greater London with practical delivery windows.
- No surprise service bills: servicing and thorough examinations are included on short‑term hire; contract hire bundles maintenance and inspections.
- Advice that saves money: we guide mast height, tyre type, power choice and attachments so you avoid over‑spec and delays.
- Clear forklift hire packages: simple terms, transparent pricing and easy extensions.
Talk to a hire specialist: Call us or use the form below for a same‑day quote.
Hire vs buy: the practical view
If you buy, you tie up capital, carry the risk on batteries, tyres and unplanned faults, and live with the truck even when your work changes. If you choose forklift hire, you fix your monthly cost, pass the service risk to us, and keep the flexibility to switch models. That matters when loads, aisle widths or duty cycles shift.
A quick rule of thumb our clients use: if utilisation is variable, projects come in waves, or you plan to change buildings or layouts, forklift hire is usually the better financial and operational choice. We look at your loads, lift heights, hours and environment, then recommend a plan that avoids over‑spec and cuts downtime.
Short‑term forklift hire (from 3 days)
Peaks, projects and breakdowns happen. Short‑term forklift hire gives you extra capacity fast without long commitments. We prepare each truck with a pre‑delivery inspection, supply current LOLER documentation and arrive when the slot suits your operation. If plans change, you can extend the hire or switch models easily. Our short‑term forklift hire includes maintenance, breakdown cover and a current Thorough Examination certificate as standard.
Typical short‑term forklift hire choices include 1.5–3.5 t electric counterbalance for stores and warehouses, 3.0–5.0 t LPG/diesel for yards and loading bays, plus telehandler hire for uneven sites. We also supply access platforms and scissor lifts for safe work at height.
Need a truck this week? Request a quote
How it helps: your team starts safely on day one, avoids avoidable damage, and off‑hire is quick and dispute‑free.
Contract hire (3–7 years)
For ongoing operations, contract hire replaces unpredictable capex and maintenance with a fixed monthly cost. Servicing, inspections and breakdown cover are bundled. If a unit is down beyond the agreed window, we aim to provide a replacement where your contract provides for it. Electric fleets can include battery care and charging guidance. LPG and diesel hire units meet the applicable emissions requirements for the model supplied. As your business evolves, we can swap models mid‑term and plan upgrades at renewal. As a result, this form of forklift hire keeps budgets predictable, and equipment fit for purpose. Choose 3‑, 5‑ or 7‑year terms on new or used equipment, subject to finance approval.
Spec decisions that save money
We help you choose the right tyre (cushion vs pneumatic), mast (duplex vs triplex), and power (lead‑acid, lithium‑ion, LPG or diesel). Cold‑store packages, blue safety lights, cameras and fork positioners are available where they add real value, and we will tell you when they do not.
How it helps: fewer wear issues, fewer near‑misses, and lower total cost over the term.
Planning a contract? Start with a site survey and load/route assessment. Book now.
Equipment available for hire
Counterbalance forklifts (electric, LPG, diesel)
Counterbalance trucks are the all‑rounders of materials handling, ideal for palletised loads, loading bays and general yard work. For many sites, counterbalance forklift hire is the most efficient route. Choose electric for clean, quiet indoor duties or LPG/diesel for outdoor and heavier cycles. We confirm the right fork length, carriage class and tyre type for your floor and load.
Spec bands we carry
- Capacity: 1.5–5.0 tonnes (higher on request)
- Lift heights: typical 3.0–6.0 m; triplex masts available
- Power: 24/48/80V electric, LPG, Stage V diesel
Related pages: Explore brand ranges on Manitou and Bobcat forklifts.
Business impact: the right counterbalance spec reduces damage, speeds loading, and keeps energy or fuel use under control.
Reach trucks (narrow‑aisle)
If aisle width is tight but bay height keeps rising, a reach truck is usually the answer. Their compact chassis and telescoping forks let you work higher without ripping out racking. We check end‑of‑aisle clearances, confirm pallet overhang and set travel speeds that match your pick profile.
Spec bands
- Lift heights suitable for high‑bay applications
- Options include side‑shift, cold‑store packages and camera aids
Hiring a reach truck is a proven way to increase pick‑face density without widening aisles.
Business impact: higher storage in the same footprint and shorter travel for picks.
Telehandler hire (construction and yard)
Telehandlers combine forklift capability with boom reach for rough terrain and multi‑task sites. From compact models that squeeze onto tight plots to high‑reach units for multi‑storey builds, we will match reach and capacity to your lift plan. If you intend to lift people in a man‑basket, we will specify the correct platform and confirm the different inspection interval that applies.
Spec bands
- Compact units for constrained plots
- Mid‑range models for general materials handling
- High‑reach options for multi‑storey builds
Attachments include forks, buckets, jibs, sweepers and material‑handling accessories.
Business impact: one machine covers lifting, loading and cleanup, so you reduce hires and site delays.
Access platforms & Scissor Lifts
Tasks at height demand the right platform. Use electric slab scissor lifts for clean, level indoor work, and choose rough‑terrain scissors for outdoors. Articulating booms reach up and over obstacles, while telescopic booms maximise straight‑line height and outreach.
Business impact: safer work at height, fewer aborted jobs and faster sign‑off.
Service, compliance and support
Every hire includes the essentials that support compliance and productivity: current LOLER certification, guidance and documentation to support your PUWER duties, and responsive visits from our in‑house engineers. If a repair would stall production, we aim to provide a replacement unit where your contract provides for it. We also advise on daily operator checks and keep a service log on file, so audits are straightforward. Parts flow through our dealer network. If you need an operator, tell us your hours and tasks and we will advise availability or partner options. See our Servicing page for how we maintain uptime.
How it helps: cleaner audits, fewer stoppages, and predictable running costs.
Common mistakes we help you avoid
- Specifying lift height at rack height instead of top pallet height (allow for clearance)
- Under‑estimating aisle width once pallet overhang and end‑of‑aisle turning are considered
- Choosing tyres that do not suit the surface (wet yards, block paving, ramps)
- Forgetting battery charging infrastructure or gas storage rules
- Fitting accessories that add cost but no real benefit
Coverage and delivery
We deliver forklift hire across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Greater London. Before arrival, we confirm access routes, gradients and turning space. We then agree how to handle power, fuel or gas. Off‑hire is just as simple: we book a collection slot, complete inspection and share paperwork so your team can move on to the next job. Where sites run multiple shifts, we discuss battery change space, cylinder stores or refuelling points so the plan works in practice.
How it helps: less disruption to shifts and fewer last‑minute workarounds.
How to choose the right hire truck
Start with the basics: the heaviest load, the top lift height and where the truck will work. Electric counterbalance suits indoor, low‑emission sites; LPG and diesel excel outside or on heavy‑duty cycles. Narrow aisles and high racking point to a reach truck. Construction sites or uneven yards call for telehandler hire. Share your loads, heights and shift pattern and we will specify the safest, most efficient forklift hire option.
Why Glosrose
As main dealers for Manitou, Bobcat and Combilift, we combine manufacturer backup with local engineering support. Our pricing is transparent, our paperwork is clean, and our priority is your uptime. If you need advice, you speak to a hire specialist rather than a call centre.
Get a quote today. Tell us your load, height and environment and we will recommend the right forklift hire package. Contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
We will confirm availability immediately and agree a delivery window that fits your schedule. Next‑day delivery is often possible.
Every unit arrives with a current LOLER certificate and service records. We can also provide pre‑use check sheets for your operators.
Most forklifts need a thorough examination every 12 months. If the equipment lifts people (for example, a telehandler with a man‑basket), the interval is six months. We keep the schedule in hand and provide reminders.
Your hire agreement explains cover and responsibilities. We will discuss site risks during quoting and advise on best practice.
Yes. Short‑term hires can be extended, and contract hires can be adjusted if your handling profile changes.
Yes. We manage regional fleets with centralised reporting and account management.
Get in Touch
Not sure what you are looking for or need some advice for your requirements? Get in touch with us today and a member of our experienced team will be more than happy to help answer your questions.
