Forklift on hire? Plan the shifts.
Forklifts and reach stackers from 1.5 to 45 tons, with our operator. See how many operator shifts your hours take before you book.
- 1.5–45 tForklifts and reach stackers on hire
- WithOur operator on every machine
- OursRollbacks and lowbeds to your site
One week on hire, shift by shift.
- 01
Book the machine
A forklift or reach stacker with our operator, for the term you need, and the days and hours it works.
- 02
Delivered with its operator
On our own rollback or lowbed, with an operator trained for the machine.
- 03
Shift by shift
Shifts planned to the working-time rules: meal breaks after five hours, rest between shifts, night hours from 18:00.
- 04
Collected at the end
The machine hours counted, and the machine back on our truck.
Request a quote for your hire
Your hire
Step 1 of 7- Machine
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- Size
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- How long
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- Hours
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- Where
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- Start
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- Shift plan
- Optional
The machine, and the operator’s hours
What we hire out, and the working-time rules that decide how many operator shifts your hours take, from the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
The hire
- 1.5 to 45 tonsForklifts and reach stackers
- With our operatorTrained for the machine
- Short, medium or longThe term you need
- Delivered and collectedOn our rollbacks and lowbeds
The operator’s hours
- 45 ordinary hours9 a day on 5 days, 8 on more
- Overtime by agreement10 a week, 12 hours’ work a day
- A meal breakAn hour after 5 hours’ work
- Rest12 hours daily, 36 once a week
Nights and Sundays
Night work runs 18:00 to 06:00 and brings an allowance or fewer hours, and transport (s17). Sunday work is paid double, or one and a half times where Sundays are normal (s16).
Trained for the machine
Every lifting machine is run by an operator trained for that machine (Driven Machinery Regulations, reg 18(11)). Ours go out with the machine.
Our own transport
We move our forklifts and reach stackers on our own rollback and lowbed equipment, from our depot in Germiston.
Where we operate
Our head office and 24-hour control centre are at 69–71 Barlow Road, Jupiter, Germiston, beside our depot, where our forklifts and reach stackers are based, with an office in Durban.
- Germiston depot69–71 Barlow Road, Jupiter, Germiston 011 873 4786
- Durban · Greyville81 Berea Road, Greyville, Durban 031 305 0438
Part of Shipping & General Transport
Shipping & General Transport is a privately owned South African logistics company built on trustworthiness, perseverance and reliability. Hire of Forklifts is one of its specialist services: forklifts and reach stackers on hire with our operator, delivered on our own trucks.
Visit shippingandgeneral.co.zaQuestions about forklift hire
Can’t find your answer? Our team is a phone call away.
Call 011 873 4786Do your forklifts come with an operator?
Yes. Our forklifts and reach stackers go out with our operator. Our site doesn’t offer a machine without one, so ask us if that’s what you need.
What sizes can I hire?
Forklifts and reach stackers from 1.5 to 45 tons. Which one suits your load depends on its weight and how far it sits from the machine: our sister site checks that.
How long can I hire for?
Short, medium or long term. Tell us the weeks or months you need, and the days and hours the machine works, and we quote on that.
How do you get the machine to my site?
On our own rollback and lowbed equipment, and we collect it at the end of the hire.
How many operators does my job need?
It depends on the hours. Under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act an operator works up to 45 ordinary hours a week: 9 a day on 5 days or fewer, 8 on more. A machine working longer days, or every day, needs operators taking turns. The shift planner above works out a planning figure; we set the crew for your hire.
Can one operator do a 12-hour day?
Only by agreement. Overtime is capped at 10 hours a week and 12 hours’ work in a day (s10). A compressed week, agreed in writing, allows 12-hour days without overtime pay, but no more than 45 ordinary hours or 5 days a week (s11).
Do operators get breaks?
A 60-minute meal break after 5 hours’ work, or 30 minutes by written agreement (s14), and rest of 12 hours in a row between working days and 36 hours once a week (s15). The machine stands during a break unless another operator relieves.
Can the machine work at night?
Ask us. Hours between 18:00 and 06:00 are night work: the operator gets an allowance or fewer hours, and transport must be available (s17).
What about Sundays and public holidays?
Sunday work is paid double, or one and a half times where Sundays are normal working days (s16). Work on a public holiday is by agreement only.
What paperwork will my site ask for?
Usually a 37(2) agreement, the machine’s load test and the operator’s training certificate, among others. Our sister site lists them and where each comes from.
Can you handle drums, reels or long loads?
Our sister site matches the cargo to the machine and the attachment that handles it at our Germiston depot.
What does it cost?
We don’t publish prices. Answer the short questions in the quote form, add your shift plan if you like, and we’ll quote on your actual hire.
Which machine, for how long?
Six short questions and your contact details, plus your shift plan if you like. No prices online, just a quote on your actual hire.
