The Secret Life of Forklifts: 6 Surprising Places That Rely on Forklift Rentals

You might picture forklifts in warehouses or construction yards—but their story goes far beyond the loading dock. From museums to movie sets, these machines quietly power some of the most unexpected industries. Renting a forklift isn’t just for heavy-duty jobs. It’s a smart, behind-the-scenes solution for crews who need speed, safety, and serious lifting power in unique environments. Here’s the surprising places forklifts go to work and why a short-term rental might be the best tool you never knew you needed.

1. Forklift rentals in Stadiums and Event Venues

You might not see them, but forklifts are critical in setting up major sports events, concerts, and conventions. For example, at stadiums and large arenas, they transport lighting rigs, audio equipment, stage parts, and barricades quickly and safely.

Common Uses for ForkLift rentals in Stadiums and Event Venues

• Assisting with event setup and teardown: Fork lifts move heavy stage pieces like platforms, risers, scaffolding, and support beams. They do this job quickly and safely, cutting down setup time between events.
• Loading and unloading trucks: Forklifts simplify the job of loading and unloading bulky AV gear like LED walls, concert speakers, and lighting rigs. As a result, setup and teardown schedules are tight and fast.
• Transporting large props across the venue floor: Fork lifts carefully move heavy items to positions on the event floor without damaging surfaces. This incudes temporary bleachers, branded décor, and theatrical props
• Repositioning gear: When event organizers need to shift equipment or structures between acts or during rehearsals, fork lifts are fast, safe, and don’t disrupt.
• Supporting lighting adjustments in elevated spaces: Fork lifts fitted with work platforms can help access overhead lighting or rigging points for final tweaks before showtime, especially when scissor lifts aren’t available.

Pro Tip: Use electric forklifts indoors at venues to avoid fume buildup and reduce noise during event prep.

2. Forklift rentals at airports

Airports are among the most logistically demanding environments. They requiring precision, speed, and reliability. While passengers rarely see them, fork lifts play a major role in keeping airside and terminal operations running smoothly. From cargo logistics to maintenance support, forklifts are used across airport zones every day.

Airport tasks include:

• Shifting pallets in cargo terminals and storage hangars: Fork lifts handle high volumes of incoming and outgoing cargo. For example, luggage pallets, freight containers, and express shipments. They allow ground crews to efficiently load and unload aircraft or move cargo between holding areas and trucks.
• Transporting aircraft maintenance equipment: Large engine components, spare parts, and diagnostic tools regularly move around aircraft maintenance areas and hangars. Fork lifts help ground crews position this heavy equipment safely and with precision, reducing the risk of damage.
• Assisting with facility upgrades: Forklifts are used to move building materials, air conditioning units, signage, and large interior equipment. They’re especially useful for working during off-hours in crowded terminal spaces where compact, electric models are preferred.
• Supporting airline catering: Fork lifts are used at airports to move pallets of meals, beverages, or cleaning supplies.

Why it matters: Forklifts with narrow turning radii and non-marking tires are ideal for tight, busy indoor spaces like airports.

3. Forklift rentals at breweries and distilleries

Behind the handcrafted feel of every craft beer is a tightly coordinated operation that depends on reliable equipment. In this case, forklifts are critical in keeping production lines moving. This is especially the case in facilities where floor space is limited and turnaround is constant.

Fork lift jobs in brewing and distilling:

• Stacking and retrieving pallets of bottles or cans for packaging: Forklifts help organize large inventories of containers. This ensures efficient flow from packaging lines to storage or distribution without bottlenecks.
• Moving kitchen gear: Forklifts are used to transport tanks, boilers, or filtration systems with precision and care.
• Transporting raw materials: Forklifts help staff manage large, heavy loads without risking injury or product damage.
• Assisting with loading and unloading delivery trucks: Forklifts help crews quickly handle pallets of supplies coming in or finished goods heading out for distribution to bars, restaurants, or retailers.
• Supporting seasonal production spikes: During peak seasons, forklifts help scale operations without slowing production.

Fun Fact: Many small-batch producers rent forklifts seasonally, especially during distribution ramp-ups or facility expansion.

4. ForkLift rentals at Museums and Galleries

Though it may sound surprising, museums and galleries rely on compact electric fork lifts to handle some of their most delicate and high-stakes tasks. From priceless sculptures to oversized exhibit materials, these institutions need precise lifting solutions to protect both the artwork and the venue itself.

Delicate tasks include:

• Positioning large sculptures or exhibit cases: Fork lifts allow curators and installation crews to maneuver heavy art pieces into exact positions without strain or damage. With non-marking tires and quiet motors, electric models are ideal for delicate flooring and acoustically sensitive spaces.
• Transporting crated items between storage and gallery floors: Many museums rotate exhibits seasonally. Fork lifts are used to move large, crated artworks from storage areas to exhibition rooms, sometimes across multiple floors.
• Assisting with lighting or displays during exhibit setups: Forklifts help install and adjust large components during the exhibit preparation phase. This ensures that every piece is well-lit and securely mounted.
• Handling oversized crates during shipping and receiving: Art shipments often arrive in custom crates that require careful handling. Forklifts with narrow frames and excellent mobility make it easier to offload and position shipments in staging areas without risk.
• Assisting with exhibit teardown: Fork lifts help dismantle platforms, signage, and interactive displays efficiently and safely.

Pro Tip: Opt for a lift with smooth, non-marking tires and tight maneuverability for sensitive flooring and confined halls.

5. ForkLift rentals on Farms and Vineyards

Fork lifts aren’t just for industrial zones, they’re a vital tool on farms and vineyards. This is because efficient material handling can directly affect productivity and crop quality. Forklifts help agricultural crews move heavy loads across rugged or expansive landscapes with minimal manual labor.

Agricultural uses include:

• Transporting produce bins: During harvest, forklifts carry heavy bins of fruits or vegetables from the field to sorting and packaging stations. This helps reduce time-sensitive spoilage and speeds up processing workflows.
• Loading pallets onto delivery trucks: Forklifts handle bulk shipments, whether it’s bottled wine, crates of produce, or hay bales headed to local markets or distribution centers.
• Carrying irrigation or fencing materials across large properties: Installing or maintaining farm infrastructure often involves hauling long lengths of pipe, rolls of fencing, or heavy reels of hose—tasks fork lifts are well-suited for, especially on flat or moderately rugged terrain.
• Stacking feed, fertilizer, or seed bags in barns or storage sheds: Agricultural supplies often arrive in bulk and need to be stored efficiently. Fork lifts make stacking and rotating inventory easier, safer, and faster for small farm teams.
• Navigating narrow vineyard rows with compact electric models: In vineyards, smaller fork lifts help transport barrels, tools, or bottled goods without damaging vines. Their quiet operation is also appreciated during early morning hours or when working near livestock.

Pro Tip: For farm or vineyard work, choose a rough-terrain or pneumatic-tire forklift with good ground clearance. If working indoors or near animals, opt for an electric model to reduce noise and eliminate emissions.

6. ForkLift rentals in Movie Production Sets

Behind the scenes of every major film or TV production is a logistical operation that runs like clockwork, and fork lifts play a starring role. Whether working on sprawling outdoor shoots or compact studio sound stages, forklifts help transport the bulky gear and set components that bring stories to life.

Typical lift duties include:

• Hauling steel set frames, props, and rigging equipment: Fork lifts are used to unload, transport, and position large structural elements such as modular set walls, scaffolding, or mechanical rigging used for stunts and camera cranes.
• Loading and unloading trucks during location shoots: When productions move from studio to location, forklifts help load grip trucks with lighting rigs, wardrobe racks, and set pieces—often under tight schedules.
• Lifting lighting or special effects equipment into elevated positions: Fork lifts assist in hoisting heavy lights, fog machines, or atmospheric effects rigs into place on scaffolding or temporary overhead structures.
• Setting up stages for live audience tapings or concert films: In hybrid entertainment events, such as live performances filmed for TV, forklifts help move sound towers, stage risers, and barricades into precise positions for both audience and camera optimization.
• Transporting camera platforms and dolly tracks: For complex tracking shots or crane-mounted filming, forklifts move support rails, stabilizing weights, and camera platforms between takes or setup changes.

Pro Tip: Rent compact forklifts with excellent mobility to avoid disrupting sets during filming.

Need a reliable forklift rental? discount Lift rentALS has it

Fork lifts are the unsung heroes of many industries—far beyond what you’d expect. Whether it’s backstage at a stadium or inside a museum gallery, they’re lifting, moving, and powering projects everywhere. Rent from Discount Lift Rentals to get access to electric, rough terrain, or compact models tailored to your unique job site. Fast delivery, expert advice, and flexible rental terms are just a click away.