One way to tell if the forklift you're looking at is reliable is to examine the tires. Don't sacrifice on the quality of the unit just to save a little up-front money." "You can buy a truck that appears cheap up front, but end up spending a lot more long term. "The best advice I can give potential buyers would be to focus on total cost of ownership not cost of acquisition," explains Greg Springer, Sales Manager at Garrison Toyota Material Handling in Nashville, Tennessee. Just make sure to look beyond the up-front costs. It's understandable to seek the best possible deal on a reconditioned forklift. We asked several BuyerZone forklift dealers for purchasing advice for refurbished forklifts. It's also worth having a qualified independent mechanic examine any used lift you want to buy. Also look for evidence of misuse or accidents: unusual dents, excessive wear, or newly-replaced panels. Make inspecting safety gear part of your evaluation: check the harnesses/seatbelts, all visibility and warning lights, and the stability of the canopy/overhead protection device, if applicable. Check the plate to make sure it matches the current condition of the forklift: extras like extendable forks can change the load capacity, but are often added without updating the capacity plate. When buying a used truck, make sure it still has the capacity plate that describes the safe maximum load it can carry. Many of those accidents are caused by operator carelessness or errors, rather than mechanical failure, but it's still important to make sure the trucks you operate are as safe as possible. Will a used lift be as safe as a new truck?įorklift accidents are a major cause of workplace injuries in warehouses and loading docks. While dealers prefer to sell new equipment, they know that selling used forklifts is an inroad to making new customers: if you get a reliable used forklift, chances are you'll return to the same dealer in a few years when that one needs replacement. If you buy one from a previous owner, a roadside "used forklifts for sale" sign, or a car and truck dealer who just happens to have a forklift on the lot, you're taking a much bigger chance. If you buy from a reputable dealer, chances are that even a used forklift will continue to run as it should for at least the first few months, if not years. Even minor leaks are a cause for concern, as are dents in the body - a clear sign of carelessness. Mast operation tells you a great deal, as well the condition of a lift's transmission. If you are satisfied with the regular repairs and tune-ups on file, make your own inspection with a qualified mechanic. Can you get used forklifts from a reliable source?Ĭheck maintenance records and make an inspection, you will learn a lot about the TLC given to a forklift by the details in maintenance reports. If your operations would be seriously disrupted because the forklift was unavailable, you might be a better candidate for a new forklift.Īnother advantage to buying used is that you often can get the used truck delivered more quickly than if you order a new one: while used trucks are on the lot and ready to go, new models usually have to be ordered from the manufacturer, shipped to the store, and then transported to your business. If you'll use it less than half the time - only a couple of days per week or a couple of hours per day - you'll be much better able to weather any unexpected downtime than you would if it was constantly in use. One way to look at this decision is to think about how much you'll be using the forklift. If you're depending on the forklift to play a major role in your day-to-day activities, a used truck might not be an effective choice. Even if it doesn't suffer any major breakdowns, an older forklift requires more maintenance than a newer model. However, you are still taking on more risk by choosing a used forklift. It's clear that used forklifts can be a good way to save money in the short-term. Are used forklifts the right choice for your business? Here are some questions to answer when you're considering buying a used forklift. Seven Important Considerations When Shopping for a Used Forklift Facebook Google Plus One Twitter LinkedIn Email PrintĪ well-maintained forklift can last for thousands of hours of use, so buying used forklifts can be a great way to save money.
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