Propane Forklifts

Propane forklifts for sale: what is in this collection

This page lists 11 active propane forklifts from EKKO (10 models) and GNT (1), priced from $30,589 to $59,849. Capacities start at 4,000 lbs on the EKKO EK20TLP and top out at 10,000 lbs on the EKKO EK50LP, all rated at a 24 in load center. Mast lift heights are 185 in or 189 in depending on model. Tire options cover pattern cushion for smooth indoor concrete, pneumatic for outdoor work, and solid pneumatic for yards with debris. The four-wheel T-series (EK20TLP, EK25TLP, EK30TLP, EK35TLP, EK40TLP) runs solid pneumatic tires across 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000 and 8,500 lbs.

Published specifications for the models with full spec sheets:

The GNT GLP is offered in five capacity steps (GLP 40, 50, 60, 70 and 85) on a 62.9 in wheelbase, which makes it the simplest way to standardize one chassis across several load ratings.

Why forklifts run on propane instead of gasoline

Three practical reasons keep LP gas forklifts in service. Fuel handling: propane is stored as a liquid in a sealed cylinder, so an operator exchanges an empty tank in a couple of minutes with no dispensing pump, no spillage and no fuel going stale between seasons. Where the truck can work: LP combustion is cleaner than diesel, and propane trucks are commonly permitted indoors in ventilated buildings where diesel units are not, then driven straight out to the yard. Uptime: engine output does not taper as the cylinder empties, and there is no charging room, battery-change stand or opportunity-charging schedule to build around. That last point is why multi-shift operations with no room for a battery bay usually land on propane rather than electric.

The trade-off is that a propane powered forklift is still an internal combustion truck. It produces carbon monoxide, it needs ventilation, and it needs the engine and exhaust maintained rather than treated as sealed. OSHA has set a permissible exposure limit for carbon monoxide of 50 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average under 29 CFR 1910.1000, and cold-weather months with the doors shut are when indoor operations get into trouble.

Cushion, pneumatic or solid pneumatic tires

Tire type decides where the truck can go and how much aisle it eats. Pattern cushion tires are solid rubber pressed onto the wheel, giving the tightest chassis and the lowest ground clearance: the EK25SLP is 42 in wide, 136.8 in long with forks, and has 3.5 in minimum ground clearance at the mast. That is a smooth-concrete truck. Pneumatic tires are air-filled and absorb rough surfaces, but the chassis grows: the EK30LP carries the same 6,000 lbs rating as the cushion EK30SLP while measuring 48.2 in wide against 44 in, and 150.3 in long with forks against 140 in. Solid pneumatic tires keep the pneumatic profile without the puncture risk, which is the right call for yards with scrap, nails or broken asphalt; the EK35LP and the whole T-series use them.

Measure your narrowest working aisle and your loading dock approach before choosing. A cushion truck bought for a gravel yard will bottom out and beat up the operator; a pneumatic truck bought for a tight warehouse costs you aisle width you cannot get back without re-racking.

Sizing capacity, load center and lift height

Every rating on this page is stated at a 24 in load center. A load whose center of gravity sits further out than 24 in derates the truck, and so does lifting to full mast height on some units, so read the data plate on the specific machine rather than the headline number. Attachments matter just as much: a side shifter, fork positioner or clamp adds weight ahead of the front axle and cuts net capacity. OSHA 1910.178(a)(4) requires the manufacturer's prior written approval for modifications and attachments that affect capacity or safe operation, and the truck's markings and nameplate must be updated to match.

Check the building, not just the load. Confirm free lift and lowered mast height against door openings and trailer roofs before you order a 185 in or 189 in mast. Then check floor loading: service weights here range from 8,465 lbs on the GNT GLP to 16,250 lbs on the EK50LP, before you add the load. That combined weight is what crosses your dock plate, mezzanine or trailer floor, and it is the number most buyers forget to verify.

Forklift propane tanks, refueling and storage

A forklift propane tank is a horizontal liquid-withdrawal cylinder that sits in a bracket at the rear of the truck. A locating pin engages the collar so the internal dip tube stays at the bottom and the engine draws liquid fuel, which is why a vertical grill-style vapor cylinder is not interchangeable. The cylinder feeds through a service valve and hose to a regulator and vaporizer, and a pressure relief valve protects the tank.

You can run on cylinder exchange or fill on site. Either way, OSHA 1910.178(f)(1) requires that LP-Gas storage and handling for powered industrial trucks follow NFPA 58, and OSHA 1910.110 covers storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases at the facility level. Practically, that means a designated changeout location away from ignition sources, cylinders stored in their intended orientation in a ventilated cage, and clear separation from exits and stairwells. Budget for the cylinder fleet and the cage as part of the purchase, not as an afterthought.

Operator training, inspection and common buying mistakes

OSHA 1910.178(l) requires employers to train and evaluate every operator on the specific truck type and workplace conditions before unsupervised operation, with a re-evaluation at least once every three years and refresher training after an accident, near miss or unsafe operation. OSHA 1910.178(q)(7) requires trucks to be examined before being placed in service and at least daily, or after each shift where trucks run around the clock. ANSI/ITSDF B56.1 is the companion safety standard covering the design and operation of high and low lift trucks.

The mistakes we see most on propane forklift quotes: choosing tire type from price instead of floor surface; ignoring overall width against the aisle; assuming nameplate capacity survives an attachment; and treating ventilation and CO monitoring as optional in a building that was fine with two trucks and is now running six. Sort those four out first, then pick the model.